SHERINGHAM started their campaign in Division Two of the Norfolk Alliance, looking to build on last season's promotion by entertaining North Runcton A.

SHERINGHAM started their campaign in Division Two of the Norfolk Alliance, looking to build on last season's promotion by entertaining North Runcton A.

They had a winning draw, Runcton 65 runs short with their last pair at the crease.

Sheringham lost the toss and were put into bat, and despite new signing Chris Carey hitting the first ball of the season for six, Sheringham got off to a shaky start.

Carey (6) departed in the first over before G Blackiston (3) and the returning R Pushpakumara (14) fell to leave Sheringham 30-3 after 11 overs.

C Sutton and skipper J Hall set about steadying the Sheringham innings. Sutton (53) batted fluently while Hall (62) accelerated with some powerful blows as the pair added an impressive 125 for the fourth wicket. Both fell in quick succession to bring K Howell and J Taylor to the crease.

A combination of some fine shots from Howell (20) and a mature innings from Taylor (15) kept the score ticking. Both fell as wickets tumbled near the end as Sheringham were bowled out for a decent score of 202 in the final over.

In reply Runcton got off to a similarly shaky start, Carey striking in his second over before Pushpakumara got in on the act to leave the score 19-2.

Carey soon picked up two more, one aided by a sharp catch from S Smith, as Runcton's young side was in deep trouble at 37-4 from 17 overs.

Some economical bowling from Pushpakumara (1-11) at the other end kept up the pressure and by now it seemed as if it would be a question of whether Sheringham could pick up the outright win.

Carey (4-36) picked up another fully deserved wicket in his last over, but in general wickets became harder to come by find as Runcton rode their luck slightly, and a couple of chances were missed.

E Tuck (0-27) particularly unlucky not to find a wicket. North Runcton had reached 114-5 after 34 overs, before S Smith entered the attack and picked up wicket in his first over.

Smith (3-12) soon picked up two more before a run out in the penultimate over gave Sheringham a chance of an outright win.

However, the final wicket didn't come and Sheringham had to settle for a winning draw, in all a pleasing start to life in Division Two.

Next, Sheringham travel to Kirkley & Lowestoft.

The Man of the Match sponsored by Premium Wine Collections: Jimmy Hall.