Phil BanyardOld friendships will be put aside on Sunday as two of Norfolk's most prominent cricketers in recent years do battle in the Carter Cup. Chris Brown's Horsford side travel to Acle, who will include in their ranks ex-Norfolk captain Paul 'Judge' Newman - who led Horsford to promotion to the East Anglian Premier League in 2005.Phil Banyard

Old friendships will be put aside on Sunday as two of Norfolk's most prominent cricketers in recent years do battle in the Carter Cup.

Chris Brown's Horsford side travel to Acle, who will include in their ranks ex-Norfolk captain Paul 'Judge' Newman - who led Horsford to promotion to the East Anglian Premier League in 2005.

The two sides met in the competition last year, although Norfolk player/coach Brown missed the game as he was on county duty. He said he was looking forward to renewing cricketing acquaintances with Newman: 'Paul Newman, along with David Browne, was instrumental in bringing me to Norfolk so I have a lot to thank him for,' he said. 'We're still good mates and we speak regularly on the phone. He's still a very clever, effective bowler and he's told me he's definitely playing on Sunday.

'I'm really looking forward to the challenge. Last year we just crept home in the Carter Cup game against them. All of the lads said there was a fantastic atmosphere so we're all up for the game.'

Part of that atmosphere will be the banter flying between Newman and Brown and in his weekly Evening News column this week, Newman said: 'Don't be surprised if you see us having the odd verbal exchange during the game - it will be because we both want to win. Ultimately we are the best of friends and what goes on on the field will stay on the field.

'I can assure you it will amount to little more than handbags and people should not read too much into it.'

Brown echoed that view, adding: 'I'm taking our players there to win and we want to make it as uncomfortable as possible for Acle. Judge played for Horsford and all our players know him and get on with him well.

'There'll be nothing nasty - just very, very competitive.'

Last Sunday, Brown was part of the Unicorns side who hit the highest score by any side batting second in 40-over cricket history to beat Sussex in the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition. The Norfolk player-coach took two for 50 from his eight overs, dismissing both openers, Ed Joyce and Chris Nash, before Unicorns chased down a mammoth target of 326.

Brown said: 'It was a fantastic day and the celebrations afterwards were massive. To chase down that score against an attack with five international bowlers in was an absolutely superb effort.'

Elsewhere in the Carter Cup, champions Swardeston are at home to Swaffham, while Vauxhall Mallards host Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers and the other EAPL side, Fakenham, are at home to Hardingham, who sprung the surprise of the first round by beating Beccles. Old Buckenham host Bradenham, Diss face Bungay and Stow take on Sprowston, while there is a west Norfolk derby between Downham and North Runcton.