An innings of 48 would be a decent score for many batsmen in the Norfolk Alliance, or any other league come to that.

But finishing two short of a half century has been the low point of the season so far for Hockwold batsman Euan Gilmour!

Not only has the in-form opener scored runs for fun to take his side to the top of Division Four, but he has also avoided a single failure while notching up an impressive tally of 754 in nine knocks at an average of 94.25.

However, he is being pushed all the way in batting stakes by Swaffham captain Jasper Payne who has scored 654 runs in the same number of games in Division Two, including a couple of failures, for an average of 93.42.

Gilmour has four tons to his name, with a highest score of 116, while Payne has two league tons and a best of 153.

Four teams will be battling it out for a place in the very last Carter Cup final on Sunday.

The semi-finals are both East Anglian Premier League v Norfolk Alliance affairs, with the higher-ranked sides having the home advantage.

Great Witchingham will be entertaining near neighbours Fakenham while Vauxhall Mallards are at home to Downham Town, who caused a big shock by beating holders Swardeston in the previous round.

The final at Manor Park on August Bank Holiday Monday (27th) will bring the curtain down on a competition that has been a fixture in Norfolk cricketing calendar for the past 50 years.

Four Alliance Premier Division sides will be competing in the semi-finals of the plate competition, the Carter Naco Cup, with Cromer hosting North Runcton and Acle taking on Old Buckenham.

Norfolk U-11s had another good win, beating Northamptonshire by five wickets at Great Witchingham.

Northants started well but Sushant Singh slowed the rate with a terrific spell of 3-25 and they collapsed to 123 all out. Wickets also fell to Jack Garner (2), Sam Reynolds and Amos Coates.

In reply a partnership of 38 for the fourth wicket between Lewis Reeder and Sam Kassulke took Norfolk to 75 and the hosts went on to win comfortably, with Kassulke unbeaten on 44.