Mundford travel to Kirkley this weekend for a game they must win.They visited North Runcton on Saturday looking to bounce back from the previous week's disappointing defeat - and they got a winning draw.

Mundford travel to Kirkley this weekend for a game they must win.

They visited North Runcton on Saturday looking to bounce back from the previous week's disappointing defeat - and they got a winning draw.

A pleased captain Bailey said: “We have provided some very good cricket over the first nine weeks of the season and want to push for six to seven more winning performances and maybe put pressure on the two top sides Saham and Sheringham.”

Bailey lost the toss and Runcton put Mundford in to bat. Harrison followed a sublime cover drive for four with a poor cut shot to fall in the first over.

Price showed patience with a timely 47 and, at the other end, Matt Goodrham was slowly building an innings of 31. Their partnership of 78 in 17 overs laid the foundations for a large total.

These two and McColl fell within 10 overs as the visitors were placed on the back foot.

Yates, with 53, was paired with evergreen Gathercole. His innings of 34 included only one four as he worked the ball to all areas.

With Pat Yates notching his third score of 45 plus in three innings he punished anything wide or full.

Mundford closed on 240-6, an imposing total for the home side to chase.

Patel, for Runcton, was clearly a cut above the other bats and when Gathercole and McColl spilled chances, Mundford could have paid a high price but at 77 without loss from 19 overs Allsop removed the skipper and Mundford smelled a chance.

Allsop paired with Bailey last season was to prove so important in last season's promotion campaign and their 22 overs were too slow.

The home side's batting down conceding just 82 from 22 overs in the middle period of the match.

Bailey, back to his miserly self with 28 from 11 overs, removed two opposition wickets, one superbly held by Yates in the deep.

With Mundford pushing hard for victory Grady was thankful to Keever's safe hands, as he took a tumbling catch in the outfield.

In the end the visitors could not finish off the stubborn tail-enders of Runcton, a total of 18 points perhaps slightly unfair on their performance.