DEREHAM moved back into the promotion shake-up in Alliance Division Two after a six-wicket win at bottom club Kirkley and Lowestoft Railway. Duncan Hewitt's side had to dig deep after some poor bowling had gifted the hosts a healthy total.

DEREHAM moved back into the promotion shake-up in Alliance Division Two after a six-wicket win at bottom club Kirkley and Lowestoft Railway. Duncan Hewitt's side had to dig deep after some poor bowling had gifted the hosts a healthy total. But the captain himself and Andy Lawrence made half-centuries to ensure a comfortable win.

Hewitt opted to field first but Dereham struggled to make the breakthrough as the Kirkley openers capitalised on some loose bowling from Kristien Fletcher. Lawrence was also expensive early on but he recovered to bowl an excellent spell and Tom Head finally broke the opening partnership in the 17th over with the score on 61. Head took two more wickets, both bowled, to reduce Kirkley to 89-3 and Lawrence finally gained some reward in his 11th over when he bowled Duncan.

Tom Wallace took a wicket in his second over to make it 109-5, but Dereham let their advantage slip. Rob Dack struggled with his line and length although Wallace continued to bowl impressively. Gary Starling belatedly returned to the attack and took a wicket in his second over before a run out completed the innings in the final over, Kirkley finishing on 194. Wallace finished with figures of 3-33, while Head took 3-42.

Dereham made a bad start when Phil Banyard was bowled but Hewitt and Lee Hoggett built an impressive half-century partnership. Hoggett hit three fours and a six in his 25 before being run out. Hewitt followed in similar fashion having made an untroubled 61. But Lawrence batted positively and reached his half-century from 46 balls. He was ably assisted by Wallace (23no), and although Lawrence was bowled for 66 with Dereham on 177, Max Cheetham saw the visitors home in the 41st over.

Dereham face Garboldisham with a much-changed side this weekend as five first team players at a wedding.

Dereham A saw their game at home to Grimston abandoned after heavy rain while the B team lost by six wickets at Wisbech C in the West Norfolk League