Sheringham got their Norfolk Alliance Division Two promotion campaign back on track following the disappointment of being outplayed the week before by Dersingham.

Sheringham got their Norfolk Alliance Division Two promotion campaign back on track following the disappointment of being outplayed the week before by Dersingham.

Upon arrival at North Runcton it seemed unlikely that any cricket would be played, as a cloud burst minutes earlier had left the outfield and surrounding wickets flooded. But patience paid off and a reduced game of 38 overs was agreed.

Runcton invited the Lobsters to bat first and the new-look opening partnership of Chris Sutton and David King got them off to a brisk start before Sutton fell for 22 in the sixth over with the score on 29.

Pushpakumara joined King (31) and they put on a further 70, taking the score to 99-2, when King fell in the 25th over. When Chris Carey and skipper Jimmy Hall fell cheaply with the score on 111-4, a collapse seemed possible, but Pushpakumara found an able ally in John Lloyd (10) and they took the score to 170 with four overs remaining.

Both fell in the pursuit of quick runs, Pushpakumara making an excellent 85. Ian Mason (20 not out) joined young Jordy Taylor at the end and they took Sheringham over the 200 mark with a useful partnership of 30, including an audacious shot for four by Taylor, when he lifted the ball over the wicketkeeper's head. Deep Patel was Runcton's most successful bowler with 4-50, as Sheringham closed on 205-7.

The reply started slowly fashion, with Patel and Skipper adjusting to the pace and accuracy of Pushpakumara and Carey (1-28).

However, pressure began to build and Skipper chipped Carey straight to Sutton at cover and Pushpakumara had Coote caught behind by Lloyd in the next over. Lemon and Patel (19) they increased the scoring rate. David King came into the attack and removed the dangerous Patel immediately, having him well caught at long off by Tim Howes.

Sheringham were in control, but Runcton didn't give up and good contributions from Lemon (39), Bunting (16), Wilson (19) and Taylor (32 not out) ensured they always had a chance of a draw, and perhaps even squeezing 90 per cent of the total.

However, Jordy Taylor bowled excellently to take 2-20 and Hall had the luxury of rotating Carey and Pushpakumara to clean up the Runcton batting. They fell 43 runs short after a gallant chase, with Pushpakumara ending with 3-30, Carey 1-28, Andy King 1-30 and David King 1-25.

Other results went Sheringham's way with the leaders Saham Toney only managing a winning draw, allowing the Lobsters to close the gap to nine points, and with Dereham and Dersingham's match falling victim of the weather, a 32-point gap has emerged between second and third place.

This week Sheringham host bottom side Kirkley, hoping to consolidate a top two position, hoping Saham Toney drop points at strugglers Horsford.

Hayes & Storr Solicitors man of the match: Ravi Pushpakumara.

The Sheringham A match at home to Leverington was postponed.

This week they travel to Thetford.