Sheringham kept hold of top spot in Norfolk Alliance Division Four on Saturday after picking up 19 points from a winning draw at Mundford.

Having been put into bat on a green looking wicket Sheringham got off to the worst possible start with Howell (0) caught slashing to point in the first over.

R Sturgess joined Matt Hudson at the crease and swiftly changed the outlook. Sturgess's first eight scoring shots were all fours as 92 was added in 21 overs for the second wicket before Sturgess holed out for a characteristically hard hitting 57.

J Hall joined Hudson, with Sheringham now well on course for a score of 200. The pair rotated the strike well against by now an all spin attack; with Hudson finding some fluency as he reached 50 and Hall adding some powerful strokes.

In the end Hall was caught behind for a well made 38 to leave Sheringham 167-3 after 37 overs, ending a third wicket stand of 75. Skipper W. Neave (3) came and went but with wickets in hand Hudson had licence to accelerate in the remaining overs. S. Cox arrived at the crease (4 not out), and supported Hudson well as he reached his maiden Alliance century. The pair added 37 in the last five overs; with Hudson out lbw to the final ball of the innings having made a well timed 112. The Lobsters finishing their 46 overs with a competitive 220-5.

In reply the Mundford openers got off to a good start. C. Moy (12-4-28-2) in particular bowled with good control and it was he who got the breakthrough in the ninth over with the score 36. This became 44-3 inside 11 overs with G Enslin (2-53) finding his line to remove the dangerous Woods (35) lbw and Moy completing successive wicket maidens by clean bowling Yates.

Mundford's fourth wicket pair began to rebuild the innings but it was the introduction of Sturgess (11-4-17-3) into the attack that put the Lobsters firmly on top. He struck with consecutive balls in his second over to leave Mundford five down and they reached drinks after 23 overs with the score 80-5.

With 141 runs still needed it wasn't long before the home side's intentions turned to denying Sheringham a win and accepting a losing draw. When S Cox (1-21) picked up a well deserved wicket and Sturgess bagged his third in a very economical spell to complete a fine all round display Mundford were 112-7 from 32 overs.

With 14 overs still remaining Sheringham sensed outright victory, a feeling backed up when J. Platt (1-21) soon removed the well set Bailey (9) with a fine yorker to cap an impressive spell on his first outing of the season. When Enslin returned to take the ninths wicket in the 42nd over; the Lobsters still had four overs at the home side's number 11.

Skipper Neave attacked but despite the best efforts of the opening bowlers J Yates (13 not out ) resolutely defended, alongside Leeder (15 not out) and survived with relative ease to leave Sheringham slightly frustrated. Mundord ending on 153-9 to secure the losing draw.

Sheringham shouldn't be too disheartened after what was another impressive performance with bat and ball.