Cromer kick-started their Norfolk Alliance Premier Division campaign following defeats in their first two games, with a nail-biting nine-run win over Topcroft at the Norton Warnes ground on Saturday.

Cromer kick-started their Norfolk Alliance Premier Division campaign following defeats in their first two games, with a nail-biting nine-run win over Topcroft at the Norton Warnes ground on Saturday.

Cromer wrapped up victory with just two balls to spare.

It was superb display from Cromer in the field when it was really needed.

This victory can only give the side confidence when Swardeston come to Cromer on Saturday.

The visitors won the toss and put Cromer into bat, but young opening pair of Ollie Kimber and David Turner saw off the opening bowlers and put on a stand of 67 before Turner fell off the bowling of Du Plessis and he then took Kimber for 40.

With 10 overs remaining, Cromer were 129 for six, but with plenty of batting still to come they wanted to push towards 175.

Colin Brown hit 23 from 25 balls and Adrian Buck scored 21 from 23 deliveries. These quickfire innings helped Cromer post a total of 171.

Topcroft required 172 for victory and they had 51 overs to do it in.

The home side got the first wicket in the 15th over. Two more quick dismissals were to follow but Topcroft captain James Goodfellow hit several boundaries, and the game looked to be ending for a tight finish

With six overs remaining, Topcroft required 29 runs with five wickets in hand.

Colin Brown then got Goodfellow for 66 and then picked up two more as Cromer required one more wicket in the final over.

James Craske got the final man with two balls to spare to secure Cromer's win.

Brown finished with figures of three for 24 and Dean Elliott took two for 27 from 10 overs.

Match sponsor: Mark Charlwood.