STAND-IN skipper Pete Gascoyne was the star as Cromer A pulled off an extremely impressive win at Diss A to continue their promotion push in Norfolk League Division Three.

STAND-IN skipper Pete Gascoyne was the star as Cromer A pulled off an extremely impressive win at Diss A to continue their promotion push in Norfolk League Division Three.

In a nail-biting finish, Gascoyne shepherded his nine-man side - hit by call-offs and holidays - over the finishing line with an over to spare, sealing a win that could prove crucial as the season reaches its climax.

Chasing 161, Cromer had patiently made their way to 122-3, Richard Graveling (47) and Charlie Webster, with a vital 36 after Luke Barrett had been criminally run out and John Battrick had lost his off-stump. They picked off the bad balls with some handsome shots, cashing in on some erratic bowling from the home side.

But Graveling and Webster both picked out Ward in the deep, and the innings was on a knife-edge as Gascoyne came to the crease.

As the Diss total drew closer the Cromer dressing room could barely watch, especially when Gascoyne, in his only misjudgement, dollied a catch to opposite number Crane at extra cover. But the Diss skipper somehow spilled the chance.

Gascoyne took full advantage. He finished with a gutsy 31 not out, and Nathan Taylor lofted over square-leg for the winning boundary.

Earlier, the Cromer bowling had taken responsibility for the scarce fielding resources available, and to a man delivered the goods.

Battrick will bowl far worse for a bagful of wickets, and again produced some clinical bowling at the death.

Alex Craske, 15, looked every inch the part with the new ball, and Webster skilfully bowled his 12 overs straight through in the stifling heat.

Things could have been even better for Cromer if Graveling had snaffled Williamson and Catalano early in their innings, though young Adam Field took a great catch off Webster to get rid of Williamson for 52.

But again Gascoyne's contribution proved decisive, applying the brakes with 4-16 off just six overs of canny bowling as Diss looked to accelerate.

So a great performance against the odds from the second XI, and a welcome home fixture against Norwich Union on Saturday to look forward to - hopefully this time with 11 men.