HETHERSETT & Tas Valley first team have a vital top-of-the-table clash on Saturday as they visit Dereham.

Hethersett increased their lead at the top of the Norfolk Alliance second division at the weekend after a nail-biting two-wicket win over Saham Toney.

Valley were made to fight all the way despite being set a relatively modest total.

Victory takes them 12 points clear of second-placed Dereham and 31 points clear of third-placed Horsford.

Hethersett won the toss and put Saham Toney into bat.

The home side scored slowly and Valley must have sensed a quick victory as they bowled the opposition out for 149 in 42.5 overs with Lee King (3-38) and Matt Steward (3-23) the main destroyers.

The target turned out to be more difficult than it looked as only Matt Ellis with 43 and Julian Emeny with an unbeaten 40, batting at number nine, got to grips with the opposition bowling to see Hethersett home with 150-8 from 42.1 overs.

Meanwhile, Hethersett and Tas Valley Seconds are beginning to consolidate their position in Division Four following a five-wicket win at Narborough that takes them up to fourth from bottom and 24 points clear of the relegation positions.

Narborough were bowled out for 150 in 37.1 overs with Jack Smith taking 5-41, Robbie Matthews 2-51 and Dave Austin 2-39.

The two Robbies – Matthews and Mitchell – gave the Hethersett reply stability with 35 and 27 respectively, Jack Smith rounded off a good individual display with 34 and Stuart Cooper scored 23 as Hethersett reached 154-5 in 39.5 overs.

This week the seconds are home to Hardingham.

Hethersett and Tas Valley Thirds' game at Bacton was called off due to rain and a wet pitch.

This week they visit Acle in the Norfolk League.