Leaders Fakenham win NCB thriller with just three balls to spare

NCB Saturday League

Luke Caswell hit 73 for league leaders Fakenham who won by one wicket with just three balls to spare at Cromer on Saturday.

At the Norton Warnes Cricket Ground, Cromer recovered from 104-6 thanks to an unbeaten 51 by Paul Bradshaw to set the visitors 193 to win.

Fakenham were also in trouble at 35-3 and 99-6 but Caswell, who struck seven fours and three sixes off 89 balls, and Lloyd Marshall added a crucial 70.

Caswell fell with five runs needed but the visiting team’s last pair, captain David Coyle and Archie Bradnock, secured the winning runs in this thriller.

Meanwhile, North Runcton lost at home to Sprowston by four wickets despite Mark Skipper’s 63.

In Group 3, Ben Mills took four wickets in eight overs for Swaffham whose captain Alexander Payne struck 52 and Jasper Payne 99 off just 62 balls in a huge 171-run victory over Great Witchingham.

Jasper Payne smashed 16 fours and a six, then Great Witchingham were dismissed for 89.

Tom High notched an unbeaten fifty to ensure newly-merged Downham Stow 2nds defeated Thetford Town A by five wickets in Group 5.

In Group 9, Narborough sit in second spot after the hosts tied with Hingham when both teams finished on 171-9 after 40 overs each.

Leaders are Castle Rising who triumphed at Mellis by seven wickets.

Dersingham and Rocklands A are joint Group 17 leaders on 10 points, with Castle Rising Seconds and Narborough close behind.

In Group 11, Wesley Hudson notched up 55 as Sandringham 2nds are in second following a seven-wicket defeat of Felthorpe.

Castle Rising 2nds’ top five were all among the runs, led by Paul Kaminski’s 48, to set up a 69-run success over Saham Toney 2nds. Dersingham beat Narborough 2nds by 43 runs.