SHERINGHAM continued their impressive start to the season with a comfortable Norfolk Alliance Division Two win at Horsford.Skipper J Hall asked Horsford to bat first.

SHERINGHAM continued their impressive start to the season with a comfortable Norfolk Alliance Division Two win at Horsford.

Skipper J Hall asked Horsford to bat first. The breakthrough came early, a good throw from J Taylor led to a run out with the score on 12. The other Horsford opener had to retire, bringing two new batsmen to the crease.

After some economical bowling from the Sheringham attack, the second wicket came in the ninth over courtesy of R Pushpakumara who picked up two in two balls, bowling with pace and accuracy.

Pushpakumara's impressive spell continued as he soon picked up two more wickets to leave Horsford reeling on 34-5.

M Scarff (22) hung around as Horsford tried to rebuild their innings and get to a competitive score, with 38 added for the sixth wicket. Two wickets in quick succession, one from E Tuck (1-16), and one from Pushpakumara to complete his five wicket haul - both caught by M Hudson - reduced Horsford to 73-7.

Pushpakumara finished with figures of 12-1-35-5. Opener C Carey (2-35) returned to pick up a couple of deserved wickets, and despite the return of the Horsford opener they were bowled out for 114 in the 38th over. A King (1-7) picked up the last wicket, reward for some economical bowling.

In reply Sheringham got off to a good start, with J Taylor and G Blackiston thwarting the Horsford attack and putting on 53. Taylor (20) and Blackiston (26) both fell in quick succession, but by then Sheringham were in control.

Pushpakumara blasted a quick-fire 27 to bring Sheringham close to victory before falling with the score on 94.

It was left to C Sutton (14 not out) and Skipper Hall (8 not out) to complete a seven-wicket victory in just the 24th over.

Sheringham remain unbeaten and now lie fourth, having clawed back their 15-point penalty.

Third-place Mundford are the visitors to the Recreation Ground on Saturday (1.30pm), which is already a big game in the promotion race between two sides who were promoted together last season.

The Man of the Match sponsored by Hayes & Storr Solicitors was Ravi Pushpakumara (5-35).

Sheringham A recovered from the previous week's blip at Terrington to win convincingly at home to Mundford A by seven wickets.

After losing the toss and bowling first on a good pitch, Sheringham's opening bowlers C Moy (1-39) and G Youngs (0-24) bowled very tightly, as did F Sutton (1-21), restricting the visitors to just 30 runs in their first 15 overs.

However, on such a good wicket, it was the spinners who were taking the wickets, with Balluza (2-32) and J Moy (3-28) dislodging the opening pair, and Sheringham had Mundford seemingly in trouble at 104-6.

However, a good knock from Long (56), and some sloppy fielding saw the visitors reach a very respectable 160-8 from their allotted overs.

In reply,Sheringham struggled in the first 10 overs. Balluza, J Moy and captain Neave all fell to leave the Lobsters in real trouble at 32-3.

However, J Lloyd (72 not out) and S Taylor (45 not out) not only steered the home side out of trouble, but saw them home with five overs to spare after playing some fantastic shots, showing great patience in the middle overs and running well between the wickets.

The win moves the team up to second in the West Norfolk League division Two table, winning three out of their four matches so far.

They travel to leaders Sandringham this week, in what promises to be a very tight encounter.