Dereham A lost to Stow A by two wickets in Norfolk Alliance Division FourNeil Irons was buzzing for Dereham A with the bat and in the field but couldn't prevent defeat in an exciting finish on Saturday.

Dereham A lost to Stow A by two wickets in Norfolk Alliance Division Four

Neil Irons was buzzing for Dereham A with the bat and in the field but couldn't prevent defeat in an exciting finish on Saturday.

The club chairman - known by his nickname Buzz - top scored with 73 as Dereham A posted 175-9 at the picturesque West Norfolk ground.

Irons opened with David Lake (25) and they gave the team a firm foundation with a stand of 75.

Gareth Mottram then joined Irons and they took the score to 118 before Mottram went for 29.

However, after that only John Crisp (20 not out) reached double figures and Dereham A were probably 25 runs short of a seriously competitive total.

Crisp's last wicket stand of 19 with Ian Clarke (six not out) at least ensured another batting bonus point.

Despite having a modest total to defend, Dereham A gave another spirited performance in the field and for the second week running took eight wickets which were all catches.

Irons took two superb catches - one diving at slip and the other which he took in full flight at mid wicket.

George Pledger was Dereham A's most successful bowler with 4-29 and Max Cheetham was the most consistent with a spell of 12 straight overs in which he took 1-34 and could easily have picked up more wickets, especially as he had several strong lbw shouts.

Stow A had got off to a solid start but had a mini-collapse, and Dereham A put them under real pressure before Moulton saw them home with an unbeaten 51 in the penultimate over.