DEREHAM fell agonisingly two runs short of victory after an improved performance at Swardeston A on Saturday in Norfolk Alliance Division Two.Chasing 199 for victory, Dereham needed five to win from the last two balls, but with nine wickets down.

DEREHAM fell agonisingly two runs short of victory after an improved performance at Swardeston A on Saturday in Norfolk Alliance Division Two.

Chasing 199 for victory, Dereham needed five to win from the last two balls, but with nine wickets down. Gary Starling was unable to connect with the penultimate delivery before scrambling three from the last ball, leaving Dereham on 197-9.

Earlier the recent defeats to Sheringham and Saham Toney had been swept aside as Dereham started full of intent.

Gary Starling had Nick Foster caught at cover before removing Steven Cadge, caught behind, without scoring. Kristien Fletcher returned to the attack after holiday and produced an excellent slower ball to have Simon Jessop caught behind.

And when Andy Lawrence dismissed Ben Shearing, caught at slip, Dereham were firmly in charge at 59-4.

Crucially, Kevin Cooper was then dropped at gully and he patiently began to rebuild the innings. Aaron Garner bowled Tony Bailey to make it 86-5 but Dale Reynolds joined Cooper in a century partnership. Cooper finished on 98 not out - although that was later extended to 102 after the umpires changed an award of leg byes to runs - while Reynolds made an unbeaten 46 as Swardeston closed on 198-5.

Dereham began positively, with Duncan Hewitt and Phil Banyard putting on 50 in quick time.

Reynolds retired from the attack with a side injury, prompting the introduction of the spinners - a move which worked in Swardeston's favour as the runs began to dry up. Hewitt became frustrated and was caught at midwicket for 36, with Banyard following soon after, gloving the ball to slip having made 13.

The bold move to promote Tom Head up the order failed to pay off as, after crashing one boundary, he was caught. Jay Eastoe-Smith batted well against the spinners and had reached 27 when he too fell to the spin attack.

After Max Cheetham was needlessly run out, Lawrence looked capable of guiding Dereham to victory, but he top-edged a sweep and was out for 46. Aaron Garner (18) and Neil Burrage (17) provided some useful late runs but it was not quite enough to put Dereham back on the winning track.

They face another tough game this weekend as they travel to Dersingham, who handed Sheringham their first league defeat on Saturday.

Jake Anema's 51 for Dereham A proved in vain as they slipped to a six-wicket defeat at home to Northwold in West Norfolk League Division One. Anema top scored in Dereham's total of 143 all out but the visitors reached their target in the penultimate over.

Dereham B also suffered a six-wicket defeat, at home to King's Lynn, in Division Four. Liam Cameron top scored for Dereham with 30 in a total of 138, but it was not enough as Lynn eased to victory.

Dereham pulled off a notable eight-wicket win against Norwich in a rearranged Mid-Norfolk Sunday League Challenge Cup game last week.

After the original tie was rained off, the game was switched to a 20-over match and Dereham restricted the visitors to 96.

They then cruised past that target, Jay Eastoe-Smith hitting an unbeaten 43.