SHERINGHAM travelled to Topcroft looking to bounce back from recent disappointments in Norfolk Alliance Division One. The Lobsters netted 23 points from a 22-run victory; which importance was only highlighted by victories for both the bottom two, in a league that is ridiculously close to call.

SHERINGHAM travelled to Topcroft looking to bounce back from recent disappointments in Norfolk Alliance Division One.

The Lobsters netted 23 points from a 22-run victory; which importance was only highlighted by victories for both the bottom two, in a league that is ridiculously close to call.

Sheringham now sit sixth from ten on 132 points, but just 21 ahead of bottom side Norwich A and just 24 adrift of third place Stow. Next up for Sheringham is a home clash against north Norfolk rivals Bradfield on Saturday, when the visitors will start the day just two points clear of Sheringham in the table.

Things didn't get off to the best of starts, Topcroft winning the toss; putting Sheringham into bat, and M Spilllet (0) falling in the fourth over.

It was hard going against an attack that was not giving much away on a slow track. D King (18), and D Smith had taken the score steadily to 40 before King's departure in the 16th over and worse was to come with captain Wright (1) soon run out.

J Moy joined county team-mate Smith at the crease and the pair set about steadying the innings. Moy started to play well supporting Smith, who himself was becoming more and more fluent.

The 17-year-olds went on to add 104 for the fourth wicket; taking the score to 150 in the 45th over, before Smith fell for an important 63.

J Lloyd (4), E Tuck (7), M Hudson (6), all then perished, the latter two both ran out, in the search for quick runs in the dying overs. Sheringham finished their innings on 176-8 from their allotted 50 overs, Moy (52) reaching a well-deserved half century before being bowled off the last ball.

Sheringham knew that they had fought themselves into the game, but also knew that a polished display in the field would be required.

A double strike from the Lobsters skipper left Topcroft 18-2 from 11 overs.

The home side's overseas player A Ndhluvo was in by now though and began to dominate the Lobsters' attack and although the superb Wright (3-27) struck again to leave Topcroft 65-3 from 20 overs, with Ndhluvo at the crease it wouldn't be enough.

The key moment came however in the 25th over, Ndhluvo (52) being trapped lbw by J Moy in just his second over. Momentum was with the Lobsters but a fifth-wicket stand that followed of 32 saw Topcroft gradually reduce the runs required to just 52 from 17 overs. Moy broke that partnership and when fellow spinner D King struck in his second over, the home side were now 129-6.

The home side were now being pressured by the all-spin attack with risky stroke play seemingly the only way. The spin duo plugged away superbly, taking a further two wickets each as Topcroft faltered to 153 all out in the 45th over.

C Moy held a fine pressure catch at long-on to seal a brilliant win, for a jubilant Sheringham side. Moy finished with figures off 4-27 to cap a fine individual display while King picked up an equally vital 3-15.

Sheringham A succumbed to a 104-run defeat at home to Fakenham IIIs. Chasing 205 to win, the Lobsters collapsed to 110 all out from 80-2.

Sheringham Sunday lost to Topcroft in the Mid Norfolk League Division Two by three wickets.

Sheringham: D King lbw D King 18, M Spillett c Goodfellow b I Todd 0, D Smith c I Todd b I Goodfellow 63, J Wright run out 1, J Moy b I Todd 52, J Lloyd b I Goodfellow 4, E Tuck run out 7, M Hudson run out 6, G Youngs not out 1; extras 21. Total (50 overs) 175-8. Bowling: R Marshall 13-6-27-0, I Todd 13-2-48-2, A Ndhlovu 12-1-52-1, I Gooodfellow 12-3-40-2.

Topcroft: C Hanock lbw J Wright 1, M Goodfellow b J Wright 1, A Ndhlovu lbw J Moy 52, J Goodfellow lbw J Wright 10, C Barber b D King 36, D Reeder b J Moy 12, B Davey c M Spillett b D King 0, I Todd st J Lloyd b J Moy 13, R Marshall c J Lloyd b J Moy 7, G Woodcock c C Moy b D King 1, A Other not out 0; extras 22. Total (44.1 overs) 153. Bowling: J Wright 13-6-27-3, E Tuck 6-2-26-0, C Moy 2-0-10-0, G Youngs 4-0-24-0, J Moy 10-2-27-4, D Smith 4-0-20-0, D King 6.1-3-15-3.