Hethersett & Tas Valley are back on track for promotion to Division One of the Norfolk Alliance after a must-win victory over Ashmanhaugh & Barton Wanderers.

With the teams starting the day in third and fourth positions, Valley knew that defeat would virtually end their promotion hopes.

In the end it was the home side's hopes that were left in tatters and Valley living on to fight for as many points in their four remaining matches as possible.

Valley were left with broad smiles after a comprehensive 72 run victory in a match restricted to 40 overs due to impending rain which thankfully stayed away long enough for the game to finish.

The win keeps Valley in third place, 17 points behind second placed Beccles with Topcroft looking like odds on runaway winners in first place.

Valley's remaining fixtures include a showdown with Beccles at Flordon on August 19. Other fixtures to come see them take on bottom side Brooke A at home this weekend and then Swaffham away on August 12 and Great Witchingham away on August 26.

Valley were put into bat at Barton Turf and scored an impressive 218-5 with half centuries for Ian Bryce and James Shipley. Valley then bowled out Ashmanhaugh for 146.

Valley A went down to high-flying Bircham by 110 runs in the Norfolk Alliance Division Four but continue to scrape enough points together to stay off bottom spot, with just one team going down. Bircham scored 228-7 in their 45 overs and Hethersett's reply collapsed to 118 all out in 31.2 overs with Dean Parfitt hitting 68 and the other 10 batsmen just 44 runs between them.

All-rounder Paul Lough had a day to remember for Bircham, After top scoring with 50 he produced amazing figures of 7.2-5-6-6, Valley can make sure of their future in Division Four on Saturday by recording a win at bottom club Mundford.

Valley B's chances of promotion from Division Three Central of the Norfolk League were virtually ended by a four wicket defeat at second-placed Wensum. Valley were all out for 74 and Wensum replied with 75-6 (Isaac Birch 3-11). This weekend they are at home to Ketteringham Hall.

Valley C went down to Swanton Morley by seven wickets in a game cut down to 30 overs. Valley scored 87-7 and Swanton Morley replied with 90-3.