AFTER a nail-biting ending the previous week against Topcroft, Cromer hoped for a similar outcome when bottom side Swardeston came to the Norton Warnes ground.

AFTER a nail-biting ending the previous week against Topcroft, Cromer hoped for a similar outcome when bottom side Swardeston came to the Norton Warnes ground.

The visitors won the toss and put Cromer into bat. The home side got off to a poor start. David Turner was run out in the first over without facing a ball. Ollie Kimber and Richard Charlwood were also soon back in the pavilion and Cromer were 20 for three from four overs.

Michael Warnes and Tom Davies halted the collapse and stabilised the Cromer innings. The partnership was broken when Nicholls bowled Davies.

The new pairing of Dean Elliott and Warnes doubled the Cromer score with a stand of 49. Warnes was dismissed off the bowling of Cooper for 28.

This brought Ben Clarke to the middle and he and Elliott upped the run rate, adding 61 runs in just seven overs. The partnership was broken when Clarke was caught off Brian Murphy. Clarke scored 30 from just 19 balls including three fours and two sixes.

Elliott was making his way towards his half century and he reached 50 in the 44th over. Shortly after he was stumped on 51. The Swardeston overseas Murphy mopped up the Cromer tail end and finished with 5-22 as Cromer were all out for 204.

Swardeston had 51 overs to reach their target. The day continued to be a good one for Murphy as he struck a quick-fire 52 before he was dismissed courtesy of an excellent diving catch from Kristian Regis off the bowling of Charlwood.

The new man Herathge joined Olpin at the crease and they kept up the run rate and their partnership lasted 16 overs and added 110 runs to take the chance of victory away from Cromer.

With some massive hitting, Herathge top scored with 63 and Olpin also went beyond the 50 mark making 58. Both batsmen did fall before the end of the innings but by this time Swardeston needed just 12 runs with seven wickets in hand and 18 overs in which to get them.

Hogg secured a comprehensive seven wicket victory for the visitors with a boundary in the 36th over.

The match was sponsored by Mr and Mrs Clarke.