HETHERSETT and Tas Valley strengthened their position at the top of Division One of the Norfolk League with a comfortable 73-run win over bottom club Rollesby.

HETHERSETT and Tas Valley strengthened their position at the top of Division One of the Norfolk League with a comfortable 73-run win over bottom club Rollesby.

Once again Hethersett won the toss and elected to bat, knowing that this would be their best chance of obtaining maximum points.

They scored at a steady pace throughout the innings after openers Richard Ellis (21) and Carl Puttock (21) had given them a solid foundation which Matt Ellis (27), Tim Shelley (40), Matt Steward (15) and John Curtis (30 not out) built on. This enabled Dave Cosford to hammer a half-century at number seven to take the team to 221-7 from their 45 overs.

Rollesby were never up with the run rate and the only question was whether Hethersett could bowl them out to take maximum bowling points.

They answered this with just two overs to go as the visitors were all out for 148, giving Hethersett maximum points. With just five matches to go Hethersett are clear of their main challengers, Great Witchingham and Bungay, but still have to visit the former on the last day of the season.

This week Hethersett have a home game against Acle.

Hethersett A dropped to ninth place in division five after losing to Saham Toney by seven wickets. Hethersett were bowled out for 139 with Stuart Last top scoring with 48. Saham replied with 140-3 from 30.2 overs.

This week the seconds visit Happisburgh.

Hethersett B are still in with an outside chance of promotion from division 10 after beating Hales by nine wickets. Hales were bowled out for 98 in 30 overs with Dale Clarke taking 3-17, Joe Brett 3-13 and Al Watts 2-32.

Hethersett reached their target for the loss of one wicket in 15.2 overs with Duncan Shearwood hitting 53. This week Hethersett are home to Old Catton B.