GIBBS DENLEY EAPL: Great Witchingham maintained an interest in the title race as they ended Horsford's perfect home record with a draw at Manor Park on Saturday.

Witches skipper James Spelman chose to bat first and shrugged off his recent patchy league form to put on 112 for the first wicket with Carl Rogers. After Rogers departed for 53, Sam Arthurton joined his captain at the crease and they continued to prosper, adding 106.

Spelman reached his first league century of the summer and went on to make 110 from 188 balls, including 14 fours, before he was bowled by Matthew Wilkinson. Arthurton hit 59 before he became another of Wilkinson's three victims as the visitors closed on 265 for five.

Horsford also put on a century opening stand, courtesy of Nathan Perry Warnes (35) and Matthew Warnes. With the score on 100, Warnes was joined by Australian Reece O'Connell and they cruised the score along to 240. But with 26 needed for victory and time at a premium, Arthurton's sharp fielding instincts accounted for Warnes as he was run out four short of his century.

Rogers applied the brakes with three quick wickets, including O'Connell, who registered his first EAPL century, hitting 105 from 83 balls, with 10 fours and a six. Horsford were unable to reach their target and closed on 259 for five, ending their run of six successive league wins in completed games at Manor Park.

Horsford (10pts) drew with Great Witchingham (15) at Manor Park

Great Witchingham: JM Spelman b Wilkinson 110, C Rogers c Smith b Perry Warnes 53, S Arthurton jnr c Perry Warne b Wilkinson 59, T Collishaw c Findlay b Brown 11, R McCone c Clark b Wilkinson 20, S Arthurton snr not out 3, JO Spelman not out 0; extras 9. Total (5 wkts, 66 overs) 265. Bowling: MW Warnes 8-3-23-0, L Caswell 9-2-18-0, C Brown 18-5-56-1, R Findlay 5-0-36-0, R O'Connell 11-0-46-0, N Perry Warnes 8-1-39-1, M Wilkinson 7-0-41-3.

Horsford: N Perry Warnes c JO Spelman b S Arthurton jnr 35, MR Warnes run out (S Arthurton jnr) 96, R O'Connell c&b Rogers 105, D Clark c McCone b Rogers 3, M Wilkinson c Dyer b Rogers 0, R Findlay not out 2, MW Warnes not out 4; extras 14. Total (5 wkts, 54 overs) 259. Bowling: R McCone 12-2-62-0, A Dyer 4-1-16-0, J Hale 9-0-24-0, T Collishaw 6-1-14-0, S Arthurton jnr 4-0-19-1, J Thompson 6-0-34-0, C Rogers 10-0-58-3, JM Spelman 3-0-25-0.

Great Witchingham A were beaten by seven wickets at home to Swardeston B in Norfolk Alliance Division Three. James Hall (59) was the top scorer for Witchingham.

In Division Eight of the Norfolk League, Will Rogers (62no) and Harley Tye (47no) guided Great Witchingham B to a 10-wicket win at Garboldisham C. Tye had earlier claimed four for 34, with Cameron Clapton taking four for 26.