Swardeston made short work of Diss on Sunday as the Carter Cup quarter-finals failed to throw up any surprise results.
The trio of East Anglian Premier League teams – Swardeston, Horsford and Fakenham – all went through against lower league opposition, while Alliance Premier Division leaders Downham comfortably overcame bottom side Old Buckenham.
The draw for the semi-finals was made yesterday and sees holders Swardeston travel to Fakenham, while Horsford are at home to Downham. Those games will be played on Sunday, July 9.
On Sunday, Diss – perhaps mindful of Swardeston’s record-breaking exploits with the bat in the previous round – opted to bat first at The Common after winning the toss. They were soon in trouble as Sam Thelwell and Michael Eccles each picked up two early wickets.
Richard Sims hastened their slide, taking three for 14, as the visitors laboured to 54 for eight. Rob Tooke (28) provided some lower order resistance, but Diss were all out before lunch for 87.
Swardeston had no problems sweeping past that small target, with Sims (45no) and Peter Lambert (23no) each hitting two sixes as the hosts won by nine wickets in the 14th over.
Fakenham went through on run rate against Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers after rain brought an early end to proceedings at Highfield Lawn.
The visitors were put in to bat and were limited to 218 (Ali Ponder 72, Pite van Biljon 55, Tom Williams 46). There were three wickets each for Gayan Wijekoon and Angus Stuart.
A second-wicket stand of 187 between Stephen Gray (86) and Sanjaya Rodrigo (89no) saw Fakenham post a winning 204 for two at a better rate.
Article courtesy of the Eastern Daily Press
