HETHERSETT and Tas Valley's double Norfolk Alliance promotion push continued on Saturday with both the firsts and seconds pulling off important victories.

HETHERSETT and Tas Valley's double Norfolk Alliance promotion push continued on Saturday with both the firsts and seconds pulling off important victories.

The firsts are 23 points behind leaders Horsford A with a game in hand - and the two clash at Flordon this Saturday in a game that could have a vital bearing on promotion and even the Division Three title.

Hethersett turned on the power to comfortably beat Dersingham by six wickets.

Dersingham batted first and notched 202-8 with Julien Emeny picking up another three wickets.

Hethersett began their innings at break-neck speed with Tim Shelley and Rob Mitchell hitting a barrage of boundaries and putting on exactly 100 for the first wicket. Hethersett lost a flurry of wickets with Shelley holing out for 68 and Mitchell falling for 61 but John Curtis steadied the innings and then produced some big hitting to see his side home with 16 overs to spare.

Hethersett and Tas Valley Seconds moved into second place in Division Five with a solid if nervy win over neighbours Great Melton, who were bowled out for 197 with Dave Austin 5-20 and Rob Scott 4-54. Hethersett opener Stephen Hayes led the way, falling two runs short of what would have been a well-deserved hundred.

He was well supported by Phil Walmsley (30) and Rob Scott (24 not out) as Hethersett scrambled to their target with 198-8 off 39-2 to gain a victory that at one point hadn't seemed likely. This week the Seconds visit Mallards III.

The Thirds were bitterly disappointed to lose to Bacton Sabres after bowling the home side out for just 57. They then suffered a batting collapse and were bowled out for just 55 to hand their opponents victory by two runs. This week the Thirds visit Lowestoft Town.