Bradenham (25pts) beat Saxlingham (7) by 67 runs in the Frankly Digital Norfolk Alliance Division One

Bradenham bounced back in impressive style when a superb all-round team performance resulted in maximum points from their trip to bottom-of-the-table Saxlingham.

The next two weeks will see a test of third-placed Bradenham's credentials as they take on runaway leaders Old Buckenham and Acle.

Batting first, having won the toss, all the Bradenham batsman performed with authority on a good wicket, posting an impressive total of 288 for eight.

The margin of victory looked unlikely with the Saxlingham reply nicely poised at 168 for two with 16 overs remaining, built around an innings of 99 from opening batsman Maskall.

Again Bradenham did not help themselves with crucial dropped catches, however they stuck to their task with Shawn Goodby picking up two wickets towards the end of an impressive spell to finish with figures of 3-53 from 12 overs.

Once Rob Thurley accounted for Maskall the innings slipped to 200 for six with 10 overs remaining as Bradenham sensed victory.

The young opening bowling attack of Brett Stolworthy and Alex Bates returned and bowled superbly as the innings subsided to 221 all out in the 46th over.

Again Stolworthy bowled with pace and aggression to finish with 3-41 and Bates took three wickets in nine balls to register the best return of 3-36 and he goes into Saturday's match on a hat-trick.

Earlier, Bradenham openers Kevin Stagles and Steve Matthews set the tempo with a blistering partnership of 128 before they were parted in the 26th over. Matthews was initially the dominant partner and was first to go for an excellent 58 and Stagles quickly followed three overs later for an equally impressive 60.

The young middle order trio of Lewis Denmark (27), Brett Stolworthy (24) and Rob Thurley (23) all got out when well set but all did a good job for their team as the runs continued to flow.

Patrick Dewing finished the innings in style with a quickfire 48 before running himself out – nevertheless it had been a fine effort as the innings concluded after 50 overs as the later batsmen sacrificed their wickets in the quest for quick runs.

Team sponsors are Trek Highway Services with match ball sponsors WC Littleproud & Son.

Bradenham: K Stagles lbw Browne 60, S Matthews ct b Browne 58, L Denmark ct b Pearce 27, B Stolworthy ct b Burnell 24, R Thurley b Fleming 23, P Dewing run out 48, M Hunter run out 11, C Balluza b Fleming 2, B Gates not out 5; extras 30. Total (8 wkts) 288. Bowling: W Burnell 11-1-0-1, C Fleming 13-1-70-2, N Pearce 10-0-63-1, A Browne 8-1-44-2, D Adams 8-0-51-0.

Saxlingham: D Maskell c Gates b Thurley 99, W Burnell c Thurley b Stolworthy 6, A Pearson b Goodby 23, D Lacey c Matthews b Goodby 21, D Adams lbw Goodby 0, D Browne b Stolworthy 21, C Fleming b Bates 13, A Browne lbw Bates 4, B Cudden b Stolworthy 1, N Pearce not out 0, A Fisher b Bates 0; extras 33. Total 221. Bowling: B Stolworthy 11-3-41-3, A Bates 8.3-1-36-3, S Goodby 12-1-53-3, R Thurley 9-1-42-1, C Balluza 5-0-36-0.