Dereham staggered to a six-wicket defeat after a tired-looking performance at Swardeston A on Saturday, writes Phil Banyard.The visitors had beaten high-flying Beccles in their previous match, but they appeared to suffer a hangover from that victory as they limped to a heavy Alliance Division Two loss.

Dereham staggered to a six-wicket defeat after a tired-looking performance at Swardeston A on Saturday, writes Phil Banyard.

The visitors had beaten high-flying Beccles in their previous match, but they appeared to suffer a hangover from that victory as they limped to a heavy Alliance Division Two loss.

Dereham batted first and started solidly, with Jake Anema promoted to No 1 after regular opener Duncan Hewitt was delayed in traffic. Anema and Ricky Forder looked in control until Forder was bowled for 21, bringing Hewitt to the crease.

He and Anema continued the steady progress, Anema maintaining his good form by reaching a half-century. But to the very next ball, he scooped a catch to cover and when Lee Hoggett was dismissed lbw for five, the Dereham innings was in danger of petering out.

Skipper Joe Marczewski (49) and Hewitt (34) provided some much needed acceleration, but after they were dismissed, Dereham's efforts to push the score up to 200 fell a trifle short. Neil Irons finished on 15no and Gareth Motteram made 11no as the visitors closed on a below-par 195 for five.

Kristien Fletcher bowled Jonathan Martin for 13, but the combination of John Olpin and Alexander Bilham proved the perfect marriage for Swardeston as they both hit classy half-centuries, taking advantage of some ragged Dereham bowling and fielding.

Teenager Nic Cains once again underlined his potential as one for the future by breaking the partnership, bowling Olpin for 84 and there was a wicket apiece for Fletcher and Marczewski but Dereham had already shot themselves in the foot with a stagnant display.

Swardeston steamrollered their way to victory without further loss with 13 overs to spare to leave the visitors red-faced.

On Saturday, Dereham host bottom club Dersingham, who are showing signs of revival after collecting a winning draw on Saturday, when their openers put together an unbroken partnership of 316.

Dereham have been drawn at home to Alliance Premier Division Brooke in the quarter-finals of the Lady Mary Trophy on Sunday, June 21.