Swardeston’s attempt to reassert their dominance on the local cricket scene could take another important step forward this weekend.
Mark Thomas’ side were beaten to the EAPL title by Vauxhall Mallards last year, but have swiftly moved into pole position this year following early frontrunners Great Witchingham’s recent stumble.
Tomorrow they take on Horsford at Manor Park and then on Sunday they host Diss in the Carter Cup quarter-finals. Swardeston posted a record total of 531 against Swaffham in the last round and are clear favourites to retain the cup, with Fakenham and Horsford the only other EAPL sides in the last eight.
Fakenham’s primary concern will be improving their league position, with Sean Cooper’s side currently propping up the rest.
They travel to Brundall tomorrow to face a Mallards side buoyed by their return to form last weekend, when they beat Bury St Edmunds. Then on Sunday Fakenham will seek to avoid becoming a second EAPL scalp in the Carter Cup for Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers, who beat Mallards in the second round courtesy of a stunning century from overseas player Pite Van Biljon.
The other quarter-finals on Sunday see Horsford travel to Stow, while Old Buckenham will look to turn the tables on Downham as the bottom and top sides from the Alliance Premier Division do battle.
In the EAPL, Witchingham have dropped to third after two successive defeats and tomorrow they head to Cambridge Granta.
Norwich have shown a marked improvement in their last two games, just failing to wrap up victory against Fakenham before beating Clacton on Saturday. Tomorrow they are at Burwell.
article courtesy of Eastern Daily Press
