Fakenham in Carter Cup final

Fakenham are through to the final of the county's most pretigious cricket competition, the Bob Carter Cup, following Sunday's win over trophy holders Swardeston at Highfield Lawn.

A quality century from Sanjaya Rodrigo laid the foundations of victory by four wickets, which takes Fakenham into the final against Horsford.

Club chairman Martin Turner said he was “Thoroughly delighted” but admitted: “It was a nervous finish.”

After Rodrigo was fourth out having made 136 with the score on 193 for four in the 44th of 60 available overs, passing Swardeston's total of 215 looked easy enough.

But the visitors' tight bowling to clever field placings made Fakenham battle hard, the winning run coming in the 55th over with two more wickets having gone down.

Swardeston, facing just 10 men in the field with Fakenham's Stephen Gray unavailable until after lunch, saw Jaden Hatwell make 70, supported by George Walker (46) and Richard Sims (40) as Imran Ali claimed three for 42.

On Saturday, Fakenham dominated the drawn EAPL basement battle against Norwich on the Lawn.

Rodrigo (54) and Stephen Gray (93) helped Fakenham post 256 for nine from 64 overs with Norwich skipper Chris Borrett taking four for 55.

Norwich hung on for 106 for seven from 59 overs asIan Slegg claimed three for 18.

Halstead are now bottom on 95 points, with Norwich on 96 and Fakenham on 106 ahead of Saturday's trip to leaders Saffron Walden.

In Alliance Two, Fakenham (189 for nine) had a losing draw at Saxlingham (226). Saham Toney are Saturday's visitors.

In West Norfolk League Division Two, Fakenham were bowled out for 57 at Downham (60 for two), while in Division Four, Fakenham made 297 for eight, visitors Downham replying with 215 for five.

Tomorrow (Friday) night sees the final of the Dr Fisher Cup competition at Highfield Lawn (6.15pm start).

Hillington play Mattishall in the Papworth Butchers-sponsored climax to one of the oldest Twenty20 competitions in Norfolk.