Fakenham could do nothing to stop Swardeston's march towards the Gibbs Denley EAPL title when they lost by seven wickets to their weekend hosts, skipper Michael Smith's 61 by far the top score for the visitors.

Fakenham could do nothing to stop Swardeston's march towards the Gibbs Denley EAPL title when they lost by seven wickets to their weekend hosts, skipper Michael Smith's 61 by far the top score for the visitors.

Cambridge Granta visit Highfield Lawn on Saturday (11am start) with bottom side Fakenham looking increasingly grateful there will be no relegation this season.

At Swardeston, Fakenham made 181-9 off 62 overs, Norfolk wicketkeeper Stephen Gray making 28, Sean Cooper 22 and county bowler Ian Slegg an unbeaten 22. Richard Sims took 5-37.

Rob Newton showed little mercy on the Fakenham attack as he raced out of the blocks in the Swardeston reply. By the time Jonathan Cooper and Peter Lambert had departed for single-figure scores, the champions already had 51 on the board and Newton went on to make 77 from 72 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes. After he was dismissed, Jaden Hatwell (58no) and Sims (16no) saw Swardeston (185-3) home in the 33rd over.

Vauxhall Mallards' title aspirations suffered a crushing blow as they came up against Godmanchester's Paul Swannell, who the previous week had claimed 7-23 at Fakenham. He took 8-27 in Godmanchester's seven-wicket win against Mallards.

In Norfolk Alliance Division Three, Fakenham's 172-6 (Brian Whitwood 68, Robert Preston 45) was easily overhauled by East Harling (173-1).

In West Norfolk League Division Three, Fakenham were all out for 83 against Gayton's 144.