KEITH PEEL Football star Chris Sutton was a big hit on Saturday for Drayton, the team for which his father Mike regularly plays. Back in Norfolk on holiday, the striker helped steer the villagers to an eight-wicket Knights Norfolk League Division One win at Great Melton.

KEITH PEEL

Football star Chris Sutton was a big hit on Saturday for Drayton, the team for which his father Mike regularly plays. Back in Norfolk on holiday, the striker helped steer the villagers to an eight-wicket Knights Norfolk League Division One win at Great Melton. Sutton (43) and Philip Wright (67) shared an unbroken 98-run stand after Melton had been bowled out for 148, with Gary Foreman and Alistair Ogle both taking four wickets. Ashmanhaugh continue to head the table after beating Old Buckenham A, with Tom Watson (60) and Dereck Inglis (44) their leading run scorers. Danny Carter hit 51 and took four wickets, including a hat-trick, in Halvergate's tie with Aldborough.

Mark Ramsdale hit 86 and Paul Wilson 60 as Division Two leaders Hales beat Sprowston A to maintain their advantage over big rivals Hardingham, who won against Cringleford Lodge. Michael Breame (87) and Robbie Fowle (81 not) shared in a 177-run second-wicket stand for Hardingham, the latter also taking six for 23. Paul Daynes' duck was his first in three seasons.

Yarmouth continue to top Division Three after a one-run defeat of a youthful Topcroft A side containing six players aged under 18. Matt Goodfellow took five for 26 as Yarmouth were dismissed for 151 and then scored 45 not out in Topcroft's 150 for seven reply.

Overstrand head Division Four from Horsford B, for whom Steve Norton (154) and Andy Gardiner (77 not) led a 314 for four spree against Saham Toney A, who were then bowled out for 89. Matt Clarke hit 75 and Chris Elliott 66 not out as Division Five pacemakers Great Melton A beat Brooke A, for whom Colin Feltham hit 69 not out. Shaun Grimes (106) and Nicky Whitehouse (80) put on 170 for the first wicket as Bradfield A beat Happisburgh, for whom opener Ivan Andrews hit 116 not out.

Lowestoft A beat morning table leaders Eaton to go top of Division Six from Great Melton B, whose defeat of Cringleford Lodge A featured a 91-run fifth-wicket standing between Marcus Godbold (48) and John Moxon (33). Greg Rostron took four wickets, including a hat-trick, as Division Seven leaders Hales A beat Diss B. Alan Fakes (72 not) and Brian Price (64) shared in a 178-run opening stand as Rollesby A beat Old Catton B by nine wickets in Division Nine.

The league is urging teams to make every effort to play their games next Saturday, when England's footballers are in World Cup quarter-final action. “We would like to encourage as many teams as possible to fulfil their fixtures, by starting earlier or agreeing to play a reduced number of overs,” said secretary Alan Harris. Nominations for the June player of the month award should be e-mailed by tomorrow to harris823aj@aol.com.