Fakenham cricket fans breathed a sigh of relief at the weekend as the Gibbs Denley EAPL side registered its first win at the season's halfway point, the ninth match, at Great Witchingham.

Fakenham cricket fans breathed a sigh of relief at the weekend as the Gibbs Denley EAPL side registered its first win at the season's halfway point, the ninth match, at Great Witchingham.

At last the batting engine fired on all cylinders, vice-skipper Sean Cooper putting his foot on the gas to top score in the match with 45, following up with 6-46 with the ball, as Fakenham won by 79 runs at Walcis Park.

Fakenham stay bottom, but the gap between them and Witchingham is now only 11 points. Fakenham take their new-found confidence to fourth-place Clacton on Saturday.

All Fakenham's top order batsmen contributed to a total of 225-7, skipper Michael Smith making 38, openers Paul Dunger 36 and Keegen De Ridder 20, Stephen Gray 26 and Ben smart 24 not out batting No 7.

Lance Shaw led the Witchingham bowling effort, taking 3- 66 and Carl Rogers chipped in with a couple of wickets.

Rogers was dismissed early in the Witchingham reply, but they reached 50 without further loss. Cooper then dismissed James Spelman for 21 - and the Witchingham innings buckled.

Skipper Dennis Rogers managed 14, but that proved to be the top score until last man Stuart Evans hit a defiant 28. That was not enough to rescue Witchingham, who were all out for 146, Cooper finishing with 6-46, Ian Slegg chipping in with 2-28, Smart 1-28 and Stephen Earl 1-17.

In Lovewell Blake Norfolk Alliance Division Three, Fakenham failed to build on a good start and their 163-9 never looked enough against leaders Hillington, who responded with a winning 164-4, following up their liking for the Fakenham wicket on which they had made a big total in the Fisher Cup.

On Saturday, Fakenham entertain Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers (1.30pm start.)

Fakenham's CITB West Norfolk League Division Three side had a big win away to Swaffham A. Having made 179-8, Fakenham bowled their hosts out for 69. On Saturday they visit Holt.

The Division Five side were bowled out for 121 by Swanton Morley A (Bradley Nelson 56, D Green 6-19), who made a winning relpy of 122-6.

On Saturday, Fakenham entertain Gooderstone A (2pm start.)

Fakenham have qualified for next week's semi-finals of the Pelorous Norfolk 20/20 Cup. They qualified from Group A with Vauxhall Mallards.

Fakenham will face Great Witchingham, who beat Horsford by 24 runs on Tuesday night. They made 172-2 to Horsford's 148-8.

Mallards will play either Swardeston or Old Buckenham in the other semi-final.