Lowestoft Town's bid to avoid the drop in Division One of the Norfolk Alliance gathered pace at the weekend when they recorded their second successive win.

Town saw off visitors Vauxhall Mallards A by 17 runs in a tense game at the Denes Oval to move to within 20 points of third from bottom Norwich A with a game in hand.

After being put into bat Lowestoft posted a competitive 186-9 in their 50 overs, with skipper Tom Brice making 54, opener Adam Savoury 30 and Peter Mitchell and Craig Guy contributing useful scores in the 20s.

The Mallards' innings was dominated by Guy, who turned a superb performance with the ball to come away with the figures of 10-4-18-5. Brice (3-48) and Cameron Nicholls (2-33) provided the support as Mallards were bowled for 169 in the 39th over.

Harry Barker was their star man, making 60.

Lowestoft make the long trip to Stow on Saturday (1pm) looking to maintain their recent improvement.

Lowestoft A had an afternoon to forget at high-flying Hockwold in Division Five.

Hockwold bowled them out for just 38 in response to an impressive total of 248-7. Roy Bland (88) and Matt Allsop (6-27) were their star performers, while Sam Ballard hit five fours in an innings of 25 that prevented an even bigger humiliation for the visitors.

Lowestoft seconds will be hoping for something better when they welcome Norwich B to the Denes Oval on Saturday.

Southwold hosted leaders Caister in the match of the day in Norfolk League Division 2E and gave the visitors a good game before going down by two wickets.

Southwold were dismissed for 127 in 36.1 overs, after being 47-7 at one stage. The total was lifted by late runs from Jason Hall (35) and Adil Naseem (27), while Shawn Goodby took 4-30 for Caister.

The leaders certainly didn't have things all their own way way when they replied, with wickets falling at regular intervals, but they eventually edged home in the 39th over.

Hall (3-25) and Steve Hines (3-35) were the most successful home bowlers.

Southwold are now 53 points behind Caister, but still have 27 points in hand on third placed Aylsham St Giles.

They travel to Norwich to take on Cringleford on Saturday.