North Runcton stretch their lead at the top of Norfolk Alliance Premier Division

Kirwin Christoffels was the star with bat and ball as unbeaten North Runcton inflicted Brooke’s first defeat of the campaign.Brooke were the visitors to New Road in what was undoubtedly the Norfolk Alliance Premier League match of the day.The visitors won the toss and with the knowledge of overnight rain and under dark rolling clouds, unsurprisingly asked Runcton to bat.However, their decision backfired as openers Kirwin Christoffels and Mark Skipper took charge with an opening partnership of 90 before losing their first wicket of Christoffels for an elegant 63 (off 74 balls with 11 fours), removed by a superb one-handed catch in the slips by David Coyle off the bowling of Jayden Borges.Mark Skipper and Jacob Lockheart took the score to 144-2 when the opener was bowled by Borges for a well-made 38 (62 balls).Alec Payne (six) and brother Jasper (eight) both went soon after Coyle claimed the wicket of Alec, caught-behind by Robbie Bridgstock and Jasper caught-and-bowled by Robert Setchell.Greg Rowland joined Lockheart at the crease and the latter was next out, bowled by Adam Robson for a solid 54 (72 balls) in what was a sensible and well-controlled innings on a not-so-easy batting surface. Losing his wicket at 190-5, two balls later, Odi Modimokoane was bowled by Robson. Rowland, making his Premier League debut, showed great credentials to make a virtual run-a-ball 22 (off 23 balls including a six) before hitting another cracking shot but straight to Coyle at backwards-point at 207-7.After a nervy start, Owen White made a quickfire 16 with a four and a six in his 18-ball innings and was caught in the deep by Sam Reynolds.Lucas Triffitt hit a huge towering six, but was shortly after bowled by Ashan Randika for 11. Michael Annakin made two not out with Jack Hazel (six) the last wicket to fall with two balls left as the home side posted a score of 243.In reply, the visitors were soon in trouble, losing both openers at 9-2 and they never recovered. Christoffels (4 for 12 from six overs) and Modimokoane (4 for 11) off seven were the main wicket-takers.Triffitt chipped in with 1-10 and Jasper Payne 1-15 as they made a demolition of the Brooke innings, the visitors all out for just 49. Christoffels, skipper for the day with Ben Coote injured, was at his very best with three scalps clean-bowled and another falling leg-before-wicket.Modimokoane took out the two openers. Borges was caught by Christoffels at first slip and the dangerous Sri Lankan Ashan Randika, who scored 185 the previous week, was caught by the juggling Triffitt at deep mid-on.Sam Reynolds, with 20 not out, was the only batsman to register double figures for Brooke.Man of the match was Kirwin Christoffels 63 and 4-12 after a great performance from the home side.