Dereham win Alliance derby

With local pride at stake Dereham entertained neighbours Fakenham A and won the Alliance Division Two derby on Saturday.

Winning the toss was vital as heavy rain over night had made the wicket very damp on top. Skipper Duncan Hewitt called right and elected to field first.

The overcast conditions made batting hard work with the ball swinging in both directions.

This was the undoing of Fakenham dangerman Luke Findlay who was clean bowled by a Gary Starling in-swinging yorker.

Wickets steadily fell. Max Cheetham (12-0-43-2) was at his econmical best and Jake Anema took his league wickets total tally to 23 with some fine slow bowling.

Dereham held onto their catches, restricting Fakenham to 185 for 8 off 46 overs.

Hewitt and David Lake saw off the Fakenham pace bowlers with ease, but Lake fell missing a cut-shot and being cleaned bowled by slow bowler of Yin Lo.

Joe Marczewski joined Hewitt with both players striking the ball cleanly, Hewitt scoring a masterclass 44 before getting caught at gully.

Dereham had a minor wobble as Phil Milbourne was caught with Dereham still requiring 60 to win.

Neil Irons (14) and Jake Anema (18) both chipped away before returninng student Lee Hoggett won the game for Dereham with a powerful 35no including a huge six which saw Dereham home and claim 23 points.

'It's coming together,' said Hewitt.

'We're not looking at any table or getting excited, one game at a time is our plan.'

Dereham travel to lowly Hillington on Saturday.