DESPITE the close-season defection of some of their senior players to Aldborough, Bradfield's young side superbly marshalled by Peter Abbs, have lifted the North Walsham Indoor Cricket League Second Division Cup.

DESPITE the close-season defection of some of their senior players to Aldborough, Bradfield's young side superbly marshalled by Peter Abbs, have lifted the North Walsham Indoor Cricket League Second Division Cup.

Despite a surprise defeat to second-placed Happisburgh, the one bonus point they gained from the match was enough to give them a five-point margin over their nearest rivals, who have still a game to play.

Taking a responsible approach, Abbs was the star, scoring 46 not out from his side's 100-5 total, which on many days might have been enough to beat Happisburgh.

When the Lighthousemen were reduced to 35-5 in the fourth over nobody would have bet on a shock win, but Wayne Catchpole hit 62 not out to guide his team to a fantastic victory with seven deliveries unused.

Happisburgh will clinch the runners-up spot on Sunday if they score two points or more in the derby match with their Colts side.

Aldborough A picked up all four league points available with a comprehensive rout of Happisburgh Colts.

Flanaghan (33 not out) and Robinson (22) knocked up a half-century stand for the

first wicket, Fisher (21) and Perry-Warnes (17) seeing then to a useful 109-4.

Saunders' early dismissals of M Woolston and Jeary set the Colts' reply into neutral and when Cook took 3-1 in nine balls there was no way back for the youngsters, who collapsed to 41 all out inside seven overs.

In Division One there are eight more points to play for - theoretically any one of the teams can still win the title.

Leaders Cromer made it four wins from four games with a four-wicket win over Sheringham. Tight bowling was a prominent feature of the Cromer attack, all five bowlers sending down tidy spells which the Sheringham batsmen found hard to punish.

Taylor's 27 not out was the pick but a total of 86-4 was unlikely to challenge their North Norfolk neighbours.

Cromer strolled across the finish line with three overs to spare, Tom Davies' 27 not out with support from Brown (18) and Wright (15 not out) ensured that they remain the favourites to become league champions.

A major surprise of the new year has been the drop in form of pre-season favourites Vauxhall Vipers, virtually point-less before the latest round of games. With some old faces back in the fold, skipper Purton and his lads reproduced their early-season form by trampling on unfortunate Aldborough.

All six Vipers batsmen remained unbeaten as the total soared to 140, the Spelman brothers, Watson and Purton all smashing their way past the 25-run mark with a devastating display of power hitting.

Aldborough replied in kind, Bidewell's 36 included six straight fours.

Good assistance provided by Cannon (22) and Yarham (15), 104-5 meant they collected the bonus point and remain within striking distance of the leaders Cromer with two games to play.

Fixtures for February 17: 9.30 Cromer v Aldborough, 10.30 Sheringham v Vipers, 11.30 Worstead v Aldborough A, 12.30 Happisburgh v Happisburgh Colts, Bradfield bye.