Alliance win for Dereham

Dereham picked up their first Norfolk Alliance win of the season with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Hillington in Division Two.Hillington struggling against Dereham's impressive opening attack of Gary Starling and Joe Marczewski, the latter picking up four wickets to leave Hillington in trouble at 33-4.

Dereham picked up their first Norfolk Alliance win of the season with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Hillington in Division Two.

Hillington struggling against Dereham's impressive opening attack of Gary Starling and Joe Marczewski, the latter picking up four wickets to leave Hillington in trouble at 33-4.

Osbourne replied with a brief flurry of boundaries before he was trapped lbw by Tom Head who preceded to pick up a further three wickets. There were also two deserved wickets for Nic Cains as Hillington were bowled out for 79 in just 26 overs. Marczewski finished with 4-14 and Head 4-24.

Max Cheetham fell in the first over of Dereham's reply but Duncan Hewitt and Tom Wallace played some attractive shots in an unbroken partnership of 76 as Dereham cruised to a nine-wicket victory with over 50 overs to spare.

Dereham will look to build on this impressive performance when they travel to Mundford on Saturday.

Dereham A bt Gt Witchingham A by eight wickets in Norfolk Alliance Division Four

David Lake, aged 17, scored a magnificent maiden Allia-nce century as he guided Dereham A to their opening league victory of the season.

One of seven teenagers in the Dereham team, he fired 15 fours and a six in his unbeaten 119 as they successfully chased Gt Witchingham A's 237 for the loss of just six wickets.

He shared an opening stand of 124 with Ian Battelley (60) - who at 65 was 48 years his senior - and Gareth Mottram (42 not out) joined him to see Dereham over the line.

The victory was just reward for Dereham who showed great spirit while bowling and fielding and were excellently led by new second team captain Jack West.

Mottram preceded his valuable innings with a three-wicket haul. Ian Clarke got three wickets on his Alliance debut and also an excellent catch on the long leg boundary. George Pledger, Battelley and Bradley Raper all took a wicket apiece.

Raper also took an excellent low down boundary catch.

Dereham B opened their West Norfolk League season with a seven-wicket defeat to Wisbech C. Tom Simpson top scored for Dereham with 32 and captain Sam Widdows (21), Dale Barrett (17) and Tony Carter (12) all chipped in with runs but the total was never going to be enough.

Aaron Fletcher bagged two wickets and Tom Simpson picked up the other one to fall and Tom Clarke bowled a tidy spell and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket.

Dereham B (3pts) lost to Wisbech(17) at Elsing Cricket Ground.

Dereham B: T Carter b D LeMoir 12, S Widdows* b N Pack 21, D Barrett c-b D LeMoir 17, J Harbour st J Sheppard b D LeMoir 0, L Cameron lbw b M Parrin 3, T Simpson c M Parrin b D Haynes 32, A Fletcher c-b M Parrin 1, J Irons c-b M Parrin 3, R Widdows b D Haynes 0, T Clarke not out 0; extras 26. Total (all out, 34.3 overs) 115.

Bowling: K Haynes 6-1-27-0, D LeMoir 12-4-30-3, N Pack 6-0-13-1, D Haynes 5.3-0-22-2, M Parrin 5-3-12-3.

Wisbech Town C: K Smart lbw b A Fletcher 9, J Trundle c L Cameron b A Fletcher 6, R Harris c T Carter b T Simpson 10, J Sheppard not out 30, D Emmington not out 31; extras 31. Total (3 wkts, 22.2 overs) 117.

Bowling: A Fletcher 6-1-14-2, T Simpson 6-1-30-1, T Clarke 5.2-0-20-0, R Widdows 2-0-20-0, J Irons 3-0-23-0.