Thetford kept the pressure on league leaders Bungay with a convincing eight-wickets home win over Hethersett & Tas Valley A.

Daniel Phelps included a hat-trick in his astonishing figures of five wickets for eight runs as Hethersett, having been put in to bat, were dismissed for 72.

Thetford were on top from the first ball with opening bowlers of Lewis Greyson and Craig Baulch making the most of the overcast conditions to continously beat the outside edge.

Missed chances meant Hethersett reached 25-0 off the first 10 overs when a great bit of fielding from Greyson ran out Hayes for seven.

That seemed to be the start of Hethersett’s downfall with wickets falling regularly. After Greyson took the wicket of Austin for 16, Jones caused some resistance for first change bowler Neil Lockwood. But after driving him through the covers, he was bowled for 21.

Thetford then finished off the job professionally, Phelps leading the way while other wickets were shared between Greyson (2-26), Ryan Conroy (1-3) and Lockwood (1-10). Baulch finished with 0-19.

Thetford knew they could only get a possible 20 points instead of the maximum 25 but the destruction of the Hethersett batting sent a message to the rest of the league.

Thetford started the run chase positively with Liam Conroy and Andy Kerling dispatching loose deliveries to the boundaries and looking very comfortable.

Kerling was run out for 22 – a very close call – with the score on 58-1, bringing brothers Ryan and Liam Conroy together at the crease.

From the first ball he faced Ryan flicked a half volley off his legs for four. But in the next over the ball struck his pads and, without the slightest appeal, the Hethersett umpire put his finger up.

However, Thetford finished the small run chase in the 17th over when Liam Conroy struck the ball to the boundary, reaching 31 not out with Darren Newey unbeaten on four to seal victory.

On Saturday the Brecklanders now look for a win against Narborough – who are also in very good form – to maintain their Norfolk Alliance Division Four title push.

Also in Division Four, Mundford had a thumping 118 runs win over Ashmanhaugh & Barton Wanderers A. The visitors were all out for 115 after Mundford posted 233 with Robin Yates (56) and Ryan Woods (68) leading the way.

In Division Two of the West Norfolk League Chris Upton (85) top-scored in Swaffham’s 226-6 against Hockwold, who were all out for 191 with Jordan Grass taking 4-41.