DIVISION THREE

Hillington (20) beat Fakenham A (3) by 3 wickets

Fakenham 88 (M. Spillet 33, C. Crane 20; Chris Matthews 6-4-5-1, Scott Thaxton 12-5-17-4, Shaun Fisher 1-0-4-3, Andrew Jarvis .3-0-2-1.

Hillington 89-7 (Mark Jarvis 23, Scott Thaxton 33, Andrew Jarvis no 13).

HILLINGTON knew that three points was enough for promotion in their second year in the Alliance.

Skipper Jarvis lost the toss and Fakenham choose to bat on a slow, but even-paced, wicket.

From being 44-1 the introduction of Scott Thaxton slowed the runs up taking 4-17 in his 12 overs. Shaun Fisher mopped up the tail with three wickets for four runs from just one over.

In reply, and having already secured the three points for promotion, the skipper reversed the batting order. Thaxton top-scored with 33 to go with his four wickets but the middle order collapsed and it was left to the old hands to see Hillington home by three wickets.

Swaffham beat Ashmanhaugh

by 4 wickets

Ashmanhaugh 166-9 in 46 ovs (B Clark 11-0-52-2, M. Dye Jnr 7-1-19-3, M. Smith 10-4-31-1, M. Dye Snr 12-3-36-1, C. Williams-Ward 6-0-22-2).

Swaffham 167-6 in 40.5 ovs (G. Boardman 65, M. Eagle 27, C. Williams-Ward 29, C. Yates no 19)

SWAFFHAM’S last game of the season saw them needing to beat Ashmanhaugh to finish third.

After losing the toss Swaffham bowled well, in particular Dye Jnr who took three wickets in his first spell. All of the bowlers kept the run rate down on a good track as Ashmanhaugh totalled 165.

In reply, Swaffham lost Walsh to the first ball of the innings.

But three 50 stands, all involving Boardman, saw Swaffham home.

Boardman, Swaffham’s player of the year, batted superbly to guide Swaffham to level scores before being unfortunately dismissed LBW.

Without poor performances in key games, Swaffham could have gained promotion but finishing third is a vast-improvement after escaping relegation last season.

Presentation night: Saturday, September 13 (8pm) at the cricket club. Free entry and all members welcome.