Fakenham see off Stow to move up to third in Norfolk Alliance Premier Division
Fakenham'’s Lloyd Marshall on his way to excellent figures of 5-55 against Stow on Saturday Picture: MIKE WYATT - Credit: Archant
Fakenham recorded their best league result of the season so far, defeating Stow by six wickets and in turn leapfrogging them to third place in the Alliance Premier.
Fakenham captain David Coyle again lost the toss and Fakenham were asked to bowl in scorching conditions, which, with a quick outfield and a flat wicket, looked like being a tough task.
As it was, Luke Caswell struck third ball and he continued to bowl in a tight fashion and helped restrict Stow to 28-1 off the first 10. Caswell completed yet another excellent spell with 7-3-11-1.
With Ash Layer and Lloyd Marshall struggling for the consistency that has served them so well this year, Fakenham introduced the spin of Keegan Monahan-Fairlie and Yin Lo to try and get the breakthrough and Lo duly obliged, bowling Tom High (30) to end a 52-run partnership with the league’s leading run scorer Amit Dhadwal.
Both bowled well to restrict runs and at the 30 over mark Stow had been contained to 103-3. With Dhadwal well set, a big score could have materialised, but an outstanding second spell from Lloyd Marshall to finish with 5-55 off his 10 overs kept a reign on proceedings.
With Coyle trapping Dhadwell lbw for 97, Fakenham sensed an opportunity to pick up full bowling points and did so by virtue of a last over run out to leave Stow 208 all out.
Monahan-Fairlie (0) offered the tamest of catches to present Stow with a dream start and Ben Harvey found himself in early, joining Harry Bammant.
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Bammant started to look the class act that broke through last year and along with Harvey took the score to 145-1 off 35 overs before he was run out for 61. Harvey followed in the next over for a classy 70 and all of a sudden Stow believed they could win.
Needing 65 off 12, Will Dunger was promoted up the order and his run a ball 24 eased any nerves and with Caswell playing his part with the bat at the other end, Fakenham got to within touching distance of the win when Dunger was caught on the boundary for 24.
But Caswell (26 not out) hung in and struck the winning runs to seal a fine victory.
On Saturday the first team are at home and hoping to continue their winning streak against league leaders Downham Town, 12 noon start.
