Hopes are high for further progress at Saham Toney CC this summer.

Saham play in Division Two of the Dipple & Conway Norfolk Cricket Alliance and are looking to build on a fifth-placed finish last season.

They have collected 13 points so far this campaign, being awarded five on Saturday after their home match against Norwich was abandoned.

But eight were collected in an exciting losing draw at Dereham on the opening day, a game in which captain Simon Mower claimed his first ever hat-trick.

Saham, fielding three new players, were asked to bat after losing the toss and that looked costly as Saham cruised to 102 for one after 20 overs, only suffering the early loss of Ben Smart for five.

The fluent Luke Newton then fell for 44 and captain Ady Wood looked unlucky to be dismissed for 59. That's where the wheels came off as far as Saham where concerned though, as after a good start only Mower (29) and Kristien Fletcher (27no) made any telling contributions to a total of 206 for 9.

Dereham started well only losing the one wicket as they took the total past 50 in the 12th over, before Mower produced a devastating spell which brought Saham into total control of the game.

His spell included his first ever hat-trick and Dereham collapsed to 86 for six, Mower finishing his straight 12-over spell with 5-37.

Despite the collapse Dereham captain Duncan Hewitt remained throughout, and alongside Perrin-West (35no) formed an unbroken 120-run stand to see Dereham home with six balls remaining and Hewitt finishing on a chanceless 113no at 207-6.

Mower has high hopes for the season though, saying: 'The club is currently in a massive transitional period on and off the field and is looking to take massive strides in establishing itself as a progressive club within Norfolk Cricket set up.

'With ambitious committee currently in place and all striding for success the club stands well to start achieving its targets with further ground redevelopment planned to start shortly.'

Saham go to Bradenham on Saturday, who are second in the early Division Two table after a winning draw at home against Downham Town A in their first match and an 105-run win at Fakenham A last Saturday.

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