Anglian CombinationThe race for the Sterry Cup is traditionally a close-run affair, and this season is following the trend with the Premier Division top seven covered by just three points.

Anglian Combination

The race for the Sterry Cup is traditionally a close-run affair, and this season is following the trend with the Premier Division top seven covered by just three points.

North Norfolk clubs Cromer and North Walsham are setting the pace, each with 23 points from 12 games. Now leaders only on goal difference, Cromer were held 2-2 at home by seventh-placed St Andrews. Darren Terrington and Karl Horton scored for the Crabs, Tom Balls and Matthew Pilgrim for the Saints.

North Walsham closed up thanks to a 2-1 derby win at last season's champions Sheringham, who are left second from bottom. Alex Fitzgerald and Andrew Muir were the Angels' marksmen, Jamie Nelson replying for the Shannocks.

Brandon are third, two points behind the front duo but with two games in hand, having drawn 1-1 at home to Hempnall. John Waites netted for Brandon, Robert Browne for mid-table Hempnall.

Blofield, fourth with 20 points but with two games in hand over the leaders, had an 8-1 field day at home to Watton. Danny Brown claimed a hat-trick, Paul Warman two goals, Stuart Rushbrook, Greg Murphy and Joe Manning weighing in with one apiece. Kevin Bloomfield replied for sixth-bottom Watton.

Beccles Town slipped from second to fifth after their 1-0 defeat (Andrew Hayton) at a Spixworth basking in their Norfolk Senior Cup glory. Spixworth remain fifth bottom while Beccles have one game in hand over the leaders.

Acle slip from fourth to sixth after a 4-1 defeat at Mattishall, another club boosted by cup exploits. Mattishall stay third bottom despite strikes from Ben Lewis (2), Gary Starling and Jason Cole. Acle's reply came from James Foreman.

Dersingham Rovers, fourth from the bottom, beat a now eighth Wroxham Reserves 2-1 thanks to a brace from Trevor Daniels. The Yachtsmen responded through Matt Banham.

Sprowston Athletic stay bottom after their 1-0 defeat at mid-table Loddon, for whom Steven Wise scored the winner.

In Division One, Poringland Wanderers lead Norwich St Johns by one point.

Wanderers won 4-2 at home to Bungay with Matthew Elwin completing a hat-trick, Alistair Shearer also scoring. For Bungay, Ainsley Baynes and Shane Ward were on target.

St Johns won 3-1 at Scole thanks to strikes from Matthew Racher, Graham Carr and Aaron Kay. The reply came from Nyle Barker.

Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves, now third, drew 2-2 at home to Wymondham, Daniel Stokeld and Adam Bellis their scorers - Glen Sharp and James McCloy claiming the point for the visitors.

Recent signing Karl Pask got off the mark with a brace for Hindringham who won 4-3 at Corton, Jonathan Clipston and Tristan Defew their other marksmen. For Corton, Scott Daniels (2) and Sam Shepherd were the scorers.

Long Stratton, fourth, beat visitors Wells 5-1, Sean Flint (2), James Barnes, Chris Bartram and an own goal completing the nap hand while Craig East replied for the Seasiders.

Holt won 4-1 at home to Caister, Matthew Warnes (2), David Thompson and Matthew Sauders netting, with Anton Ward replying.

Reepham, sixth, hit bottom club Sole Bay for six, Martin Bramble (2), Colin Emberley, James Page, Mark Gaskin and an own goal accounting for the total, Russell Palmer providing Sole Bay's lone goal.

Stalham won 2-1 at home to Horsford thanks to Daniel Tindall and an own goal. Mark Bailes scored for Horsford.