Thetford Town’s first XI have moved to the top of the early standings in Division Three of the Dipple & Conway Norfolk Alliance.

Thetford won their first match of the season, claiming 22 points at Old Buckenham A. The home side finished on 152-9 and Thetford lost just one wicket in their pursuit to finish on 154-1 and claim victory.

Then on Saturday a winning draw at home against North Runcton A moved Thetford to the top of the table, thanks to claiming 16 league points.

A knock of 62 from Alex Dennis led the way as Thetford posted a score of 235-5 in blustery conditions, with the match finishing with Runcton on 193-5.

Kerling and Piggott had moved the score to 24-0 off four overs when Kerling ran himself out for 11. First-team skipper Liam Conroy joined Piggott at the crease and they both moved the score along comfortably to 90-1 at drinks.

Piggott fell for a solid 55 when Leishman bowled him in the 32nd over with the score on 133-2. R Conroy (8) joined his brother but picked out the man at mid-on when looking to push the score along. Liam was bowled for 40 and Thetford had 11 overs left having reached 140-4.

Lockwood and Dennis came to the crease and begun to put Thetford into a formidable position. Lockwood was unfortunately bowled for 12 when the ball kept very low. Dennis however batted selectively by hitting the North Runcton attack to all parts. He fell just after play had stopped because of rain for a brilliant 62 off 38 balls.

Smeedy (12no) and Baulch (4no) finished the innings positively with Thetford reaching 235-5.

Runcton knew that they had a stiff task to chase this large total down. Faivelowitz had other ideas with a run-a-ball 24 before Greyson had him caught by Dennis.

Runcton had fallen behind the rate only reaching 64-1 off 16 overs when the impressive Phelps (1-23) had Leishman (16) caught in front. Thetford were struggling to break the Runcton resistance until Terry (1-41) removed Freeman for 21 after a brilliant spell of bowling but had little luck.

Runcton required 144 off 23 overs with seven wickets left which appeared to be beyond them. It took a further 13 overs for another breakthrough when Baulch bowled Bunting for 30.

With Runcton looking for 90pc for another point, Conroy brought his strike bowlers back (Greyson 1-26 and Smeed 1-27) Smeed bowled Belcher for 19. With Vasudevan finishing on a patient 60no and Runcton fell short of the 90pc on 193-5.

Thetford continue their season at Hardingham on Saturday.