Sheringham defeated a poor Mundford side on Saturday to re-affirm their position as promotion favourites in Norfolk Alliance Division Two.This week sees Sheringham visit runaway leaders Saham Toney in a top-of-the-table clash.

Sheringham defeated a poor Mundford side on Saturday to re-affirm their position as promotion favourites in Norfolk Alliance Division Two.

This week sees Sheringham visit runaway leaders Saham Toney in a top-of-the-table clash.

Saham are 40 points clear at the top and the Lobsters know that a good victory is required if they have any hope of winning the title for a second year running.

Mundford had clawed their way back into the race for Division One in recent weeks due to rain leaving the Lobsters inactive and they nearly lost their chance to close the gap further as rain meant play couldn't begin until 4pm.

A 30-over game was agreed and Sheringham skipper Jimmy Hall won the important toss, having no hesitation inviting Mundford to bat first.

The hosts made a slow but solid start in the face of accurate bowling from Ravi Pushpakumara and Chris Carey (0-9). Keeler (4) was first to go when Pushpakumara removed his stumps with the score on 23.

There were no further alarms for Mundford until the change bowlers of Jordy Taylor and Evan Tuck created panic in the Mundford middle order as they felt pressure to accelerate the score. By the time Taylor had finished the score had reached just 66-5 and the youngster had recorded his best figures for the first team, 3-22.

Tuck was equally destructive at the other end finishing with 3-28, and all the bowlers were well backed by a solid fielding performance, typified by great catches from Chris Sutton and sub fielder Tim Howes.

Pushpakumara (3-30) returned to help clean up the tail, with Alex Jenkins needing just four deliveries to conclude the innings on a below par 97.

Sheringham were confident of wrapping up victory and did so with relative ease.

Although Sheringham lost five wickets in the process the result was never really in doubt once Pushpakumara (31) and Dexter Smith (9) had taken the score to 60-3 off 17 overs.

Carey (14not), Hall (10) and John Lloyd (13not) took no time in knocking off the balance as Sheringham cantered home with 10 overs to spare.

This crucial victory opens up a healthy 41-point advantage for Sheringham over third placed Mundford. With four games to go, the Lobsters know that 60 points will be enough to earn a deserved promotion.

Hayes & Storr Solicitors man of the match was Jordy Taylor for a bowling performance that set up the victory.

Sheringham A's promotion push charge was halted by the weather, as their game at home to leaders Sandringham was called off without a ball being bowled.

They are at home again this Saturday (2pm) when they entertain Creakes, as they look to keep the pressure up on second-placed Leverington.