GREAT Ellingham put together back-to-back league wins to give themselves a fighting chance of staying up this season in Mid Norfolk League Derek Cousins Division Two.

GREAT Ellingham put together back-to-back league wins to give themselves a fighting chance of staying up this season in Mid Norfolk League Derek Cousins Division Two.

Last weekend Ellingham beat Reepham and Salle by 17 runs.

Reepham won the toss and elected to field in favourable conditions but probably did not capitalise on those conditions.

Once again Whiddett (35) and Cooper (98no) amassed the third consecutive century stand for the first wicket in the last three matches to build a healthy total.

However, they did not have it their own way as both G Wright (1-32) and J Wright (1-33) kept it tight. They also faced a mini collapse after the dismissal of Whiddett and Lincoln and a quite bizarre run-out between Allum and Cooper. However Cooper made amends with another powerful batting display in testing conditions and latterly was well supported by Potter (20) as Ellingham reached 189-4 in their allotted overs.

In reply, Reepham made a bold start and had made 48 off their first eight overs. However Glover (1-34) and Standley (0-41) gradually slowed the scoring rate which added pressure to the chasing team.

That said, Reepham had reached

150-2 after a fine innings by Henry (102), however his dismissal proved the turning point, a fine catch by Glover off the bowling of Smith.

Ellingham were ruthless as they ran through the middle and late order. Smith (4-30) and Oxborough (3-28) doing the damage.

They were assisted with the last two batsmen running themselves out. Reepham were dismissed for 172.

Ellingham now have moved five points above their opponents, both teams facing the same opponents over the next two weekends to decide who remains in this division.

Ellingham travel to Dereham in search of vital points this coming Sunday.

Great Ellingham: L Whiddett c-b S Harwood 35, A Cooper not out 98, J Lincoln b G Wright 0, D Allum run out 1, A Potter b J Wright 20, S Lawrence not out 0; extras 35. Total (40 overs) 189-4. Bowling:J Wright 10-0-33-1, G Wright 10-1-32-1, C Clapton 10-1-60-0, S Harwood 10-0-52-1.

Reepham and Salle: D Henry c B Glover b R Smith 102, P Minns c D Allum b B Glover 21, S Harwood lbw R Smith 10, P Harwood b R Smith 17, J Wright not out 10, P Gowston b C Oxborough 0, D Hinchley st D Allum b C Oxborough 0, K Tipple c A Potter b R Smith 0, G Wright b C Oxborough 6, N Wright run out C Oxborough 0, C Clapton run out R Smith 0; extras 6. Total (39.3 overs) 172. Bowling: R Southall 5-0 36-0, B Glover 10-0 34-1, M Standley 10-2-41, R Smith 9.3-0-30-4, C Oxborough 5-0-28-3.