John Fox starred with bat and ball as Dereham A got a winning draw against Vauxhall Mallards B in Alliance Division Six on Saturday.

Fox blasted 82 not out – including 11 fours and two sixes – in a total of 149-7 in a reduced 35 overs match.

He then took 4-16 in seven overs as Dereham A picked up 17 points and cemented their position in mid table.

When Fox came to the crease Dereham A were struggling on 35-4 after 15 overs as Paul Taylor (15), James Harbour (0), Jack West (three) and Tom Simpson (three) were all back in the pavilion.

The all rounder started the re-building with Richard Milbourne (13) and he hit the Mallards attack all round the ground.

Dereham A got 82 from the last 10 overs with 48 of them in the final five overs.

George Pledger made a valuable 11 runs and helped Fox keep the strike and secure maximum batting points.

Captain Elliott Brown scored 34 for Mallards but they never looked in the hunt to reach the total and Dereham A's bowlers contained the visitors' batsmen.

Fox was the pick of the bowlers but Tom Simpson (1-31), Tom Clarke (0-14), George Pledger (1-16), Richard Milbourne (0-6) and Andrew Guida (0-19) all gave their all as Dereham A tried to get the win.

Stand in wicketkeeper James Harbour gave an excellent display behind the stumps.

Mattishall A stayed top of Division Six by two points after visitors Lowestoft A claimed a 90pc losing draw. Paul Beaumont (83) and Kevin Bingham (64no) starred for Mattishall, while Shane Porter hit 68 for Lowestoft.

Mattishall's first team dropped to fifth in Division One after a losing draw at Bradfield.