Fakenham CC play one of the most important games in their history on Saturday when their hopes of staying in the East Anglian Premier League face the acid test.

Fakenham CC play one of the most important games in their history on Saturday when their hopes of staying in the East Anglian Premier League face the acid test.

Fakenham travel to mid-table Great Witchingham, knowing that they must not allow Halstead, who entertain Clacton, to overtake them on the final day of a fraught season.

Although both Fakenham and Halstead lost at the weekend, the Norfolk outfit have a five-point cushion.

Fakenham heaved a huge sigh of relief after their five wicket defeat at home to Swardeston when they learned that Halstead had lost by 65 runs at Vauxhall Mallards.

Fakenham opted to bat first and a stand of 104 for the second wicket between Sanjaya Rodrigo (63) and Gayan Wijekoon (55) gave them a solid base as they went into lunch on 120 for two.

But the promise of a big score faded in the afternoon and although Ben Harvey (37no) gave them some late impetus, the final total of 216 for five was not as substantial as they would have liked. George Walker was the pick of the Swardeston bowlers, taking two for 48 from his 18 overs.

In reply, Swardeston always looked in control from the moment Richard Sims and Jaden Hatwell came together.

They added 98 for the third wicket, before Hatwell fell two short of his half-century.

Sims went on to make 80 and although Ian Slegg took three for 53, Swardeston were able to wrap up victory in the 55th over.

Fakenham's slow over rate cost them a point and they must hope that does not prove crucial in their battle to avoid relegation.

Swardeston (22 points) beat Fakenham (8 Points) by five wickets at Highfield Lawn

Fakenham: S Rodrigo c Walker b Hatwell 63, J Hill lbw Eccles 5, G Wijekoon c Rist b Walker 55, J Brown c Sims b Walker 13, B Harvey not out 37, S Gray c Hatwell b Eccles 25, J Pipkin not out 8; extras 10. Total (5 wkts, 66 overs) 216.

Bowling: M Eccles 15-2-62-2, S Thelwell 9-3-32-0, M Thomas 6-0-12-0, G Walker 18-2-48-2, J Hatwell 18-4-56-1.

Swardeston: W Rist lbw Wijekoon 13, D Martin lbw Slegg 16, R Sims c Gray b Pipkin 80, J Hatwell c Gray b Slegg 48, P Lambert c Brown b Slegg 23, G Walker not out 16, I Tufts not out 10; extras 11. Total (55 overs) 217.

Bowling: G Wijekoon 16-1-50-1, I Slegg 18-3-53-3, S Cooper 7-0-37-0, J Pipkin 13-1-57-1, K Rodrigo 1-0-17-0