HETHERSETT and Tas Valley are closing in on their double promotion dreams after another successful Saturday.The firsts notched a winning draw against Thetford (see report in next column) and the seconds beat Dereham by four wickets.

HETHERSETT and Tas Valley are closing in on their double promotion dreams after another successful Saturday.

The firsts notched a winning draw against Thetford (see report in next column) and the seconds beat Dereham by four wickets.

The firsts are now 14 points ahead of second-placed Horsford and 33 points clear of third-placed Great Witchingham in Division Three and the seconds are 25 clear of third- placed Brooke in Division Five. Both teams have just three fixtures remaining.

Valley firsts were denied victory by a desperate effort from Thetford designed not to lose the game. Valley were put into bat and hammered 293-8 at well over a run a ball.

There were half-centuries for Simon Redhead (51), John Curtis (66) and other good contributions from Matt Ellis (43) and Carl Puttock (37).

Hethersett were unable to break down Thetford who finished on 165-4 with Devin Bellchamber taking 2-30. It turned out to be a good day's work for Hethersett with nearest rivals Horsford and Great Witchingham's match called off through rain. This week the team visit Kirkley and Lowestoft Railway.

Hethersett seconds restricted Dereham to 166-9 with Joe Brett and Rob Scott both taking 3-32. Hethersett reached their total with 167-6 off 44.4 overs with two of the club's younger players starring.

Jack Smith hit an unbeaten 68 and Tom Brandon-Street 26, This week the team are home to Diss.

The third's game against Garboldisham was called off. This week they visit Great Melton fourths.

If there was ever such a time for an outrageous saying such as 'scoring too many runs', Saturday was the day for it. Hethersett and Tas Valley racked up a hefty 293-8 at home against a weakened Thetford side, who decided to shut up shop from ball one and settle for a losing draw.

The hosts didn't have it all their way at first, as Johnny Conroy (1-66) took the wicket of Shelley for 9 early on.

The Thetford bowlers seemed to manage to keep the Tas batsmen tied down, but that was until Redhead (51) and Curtis (66) came in. They took the score from 75-3 to 237-5 which also took the game away from Thetford. This was helped by contributions from Ellis (43) and Steward (26); however, the big hitting from the middle order was brought to an eventual end when Matt Terry (2-43) and Liam Conroy (2-53) made the best of a bad situation.

Pat Sparkes (1-69) and Jason Peters (1-57) also made contributions with the ball.

The target of 293 was set, but the plan was clear from the start - to go for the losing draw. Captain for the day Liam Conroy and fellow opener Peter Terry frustrated the Hethersett bowlers, with their patient approach. With only 81 runs on the board when Terry fell for 30 in the 31st over, the intentions were clear.

Alex Dennis (27), Pat Sparkes (8) and Ryan Conroy (8) all came and went, but this quick succession of wickets didn't bother Liam Conroy, as he carried his bat for the 46 overs for 60 not out.

Thetford produced a resilient 164-4, a much-needed result in their relegation battle.