Stephan Malherbe hit his maiden century for North Elmham as they sank Ketteringham Hall by 97 runs in Norfolk League Division Six.

North Elmham finally hit form after skipper Sinclair lost his seventh straight toss.

Elmham were invited to bat. A returning Grant King was promoted to open the batting with Malherbe and the Elmham batsmen demonstrated commendable poise and shot selection on a green pitch that always had something in it for the bowlers.

Despite enjoying some luck, each batsman hit regular four balls to give Elmham their best start to an innings this season.

King became more aggressive, hitting two big sixes, with one landing on the pavilion roof, off Bradley.

On 34 Malherbe was dropped by Bradley at point but a few overs later, with the partnership on 94, King (45) gave a similar chance that Bradley was pleased to pouch.

Slabbert did well not to be run out without scoring then took his chance by punishing any wide delivery. He hit three consecutive fours in his knock of 25.

Malherbe reached his first 50 of the season. Websdale was happy to play the supporting role, but once he got his eye in he raced to 38 before dragging the ball onto his stumps. In an attempt to give Malherbe the strike, White ran himself out for two.

With time running out Malherbe rattled through the 90s to claim his maiden Elmham hundred. He was unable to carry his bat, caught off the next delivery.

Sinclair and Garrod took the Elmham score to 240 for five, the first time this season that Elmham have used up all their overs with wickets in hand.

With Keeble still injured, Elmham opened up with the menacing pace of Grobbelaar coming down the hill. Having not played cricket for a number of years Grobbelaar is getting better with each game, most of the runs coming off the bat via edges through the slip cordon.

With the score on 37 Grobbelaar comprehensively bowled Windham for 14. Sinclair had put the brake on Ketteringham's run chase with his first seven overs going for only seven runs.

Websdale switched to bowl down the hill and tight bowling induced a wild shot from Bradley who was caught by Slabbert for six off Websdale. Several chances went down off his bowling.

Utting, after a number of lusty hits for four, was bowled Sinclair for 25. Next delivery Sinclair bowled Atkinson for a golden duck.

Ketteringham were forced to take more risks and Valentine gave an easy catch to Tindall for Sinclair's third wicket. Sinclair forced Briggs into hitting a catch to Tindall for 40. Sinclair finished his spell with figures of 12-4-24-4.

The game finished before the weather broke. King claimed Ranger with a good catch by Sinclair. Grobbelaar took his second wicket with Sinclair taking a tumbling catch. Tindall claimed Neville for 16.

However, Elmham were again unable to snare the last wicket and final bowling point as Ketteringham's innings concluded on 143 for nine after 45 overs.

Elmham skipper Sinclair was delighted with the result as Elmham have now moved out of the bottom three for the first time this season.

'Everyone contributed this week — the batsmen gave us the foundation for the result and the bowlers never gave Ketteringham a chance plus the fielders (other than a few drops) were brilliant..but the day belongs to Steph Malherbe with his first century for the club.'

Next game away to Felthorpe (game starts at earlier time of 1.30pm).

North Elmham: S Malherbe c Windham b Briggs 100, G King c Bradley b Barrett 45, C.Slabbert c Valentine b Barrett 25, R Websdale b Briggs 38, J White run out 2, I Sinclair not out 7, A Garrod not out 2; extras 21. Total 240-5 (45 overs). Bowling: J Utting 12-0-51-0, P Ranger 8-0-46-0, M Bradley 6-0-30-0, P Barrett 7-0-42-2, J Windham 5-0-27-0, T Briggs 7-0-36-2.

Ketteringham Hall: T Briggs c Tindall b Sinclair 40, J Windham b Grobbelaar 14, M Bradley c Slabbert b Websdale 6, J Utting b Sinclair 25, N Atkinson b Sinclair 0, R Valentine c Tindall b Sinclair 5, D Newland c Sinclair b Grobbelaar 6, P Ranger c Sinclair b King 3, P Barrett not out 8, D Neville b Tindall 16, D Howes not out 4; extras 16. Total 143-9 (45 overs).

Bowling: E Grobbelaar 12-2-27-2, R Websdale 12-0-56-1, I Sinclair 12-4-24-4, G King 6-2-12-1, C Tindall 3-0-12-1.