Hethersett and Tas Valley safely negotiated a potential banana skin with a comfortable Norfolk Alliance Division Three victory at Acle A.The win keeps them on top of the division with just five matches to play and a vital promotion clash at home to Great Witchingham A at Flordon this week.

Hethersett and Tas Valley safely negotiated a potential banana skin with a comfortable Norfolk Alliance Division Three victory at Acle A.

The win keeps them on top of the division with just five matches to play and a vital promotion clash at home to Great Witchingham A at Flordon this week. Victory there would give their title hopes a massive boost.

Hethersett won the toss and put Acle in and the home side set a modest total of 193-7 with Mark Gricks taking 3-23 and Assad Abbas 2-30.

Hethersett cruised to 194-2 off 32.5 overs to give themselves a 22-point haul. Opener Tim Shelley hit a belligerent 97 - being caught going for another big hit to complete his century - and in-form Nick Burrett ended on 64 not out.

Despite victory, Hethersett's lead at the top of the table was cut as Horsford A gained maximum points from their win over Swaffham. Valley are now 15 points clear of third-placed Great Witchingham.

H&TV Seconds also had a comfortable promotion-boosting win with a six-wicket victory over Norwich and Coltishall Wanderers Seconds.

Norwich batted first and were restricted to 157-6 from their 46 overs with Dave Austin taking 3-27. Hethersett reached their target for the loss of just four wickets with 17 overs remaining. Stephen Hayes top scored with 31. The win takes the team back into second place in Norfolk Alliance Division Five. This week they are away to Brooke.

H&TV Thirds went down to Felthorpe by six wickets despite two centuries. They scored 273-4 with Ross Jones hitting 111 and Tony Wenham 132. Felthorpe replied with 274-4 with Geoff Chappell taking 3-47. This week the thirds visit Shipdham.

H&TV Sunday beat Old Buckenham by 73 runs in the Mid-Norfolk Sunday League. They scored 270-5 with major contributions from Matt Ellis (65), John Curtis (58), Glen Hewitt (46), Richard Ellis (42 not out) and Nick Burrett (36). Old Buckenham were all out for 197 with Assad Abbas taking

3-49, Chris Groves 3-18 and Jack Smith 2-45.