DEREHAM picked up their first win of the season with a hard-fought seven-wicket victory at home to Swardeston B on Saturday.Unbeaten half-centuries from Jake Anema and Neil Irons guided Dereham safely to a small victory target of 134 after they had lost three early wickets.

DEREHAM picked up their first win of the season with a hard-fought seven-wicket victory at home to Swardeston B on Saturday.

Unbeaten half-centuries from Jake Anema and Neil Irons guided Dereham safely to a small victory target of 134 after they had lost three early wickets.

The hosts welcomed back skipper Joe Marczewski from injury for his first league appearance of the season and after he lost the toss, Swardeston opted to bat first.

Openers Jon Olpin and Robert Ebbage put on 54 for the first wicket before Gary Starling trapped Olpin lbw.

After Matt Hogg was run out, Max Cheetham claimed the key wicket of Kevin Cooper, caught by Starling without scoring.

Swardeston were unable to build on their solid start and Starling claimed three wickets, while Cheetham picked up another as the hosts struggled to 104 for six.

Duncan Hewitt's occasional spin was then introduced into the attack and he proved a perfect choice in the conditions, taking three wickets as the visitors were all out for 133 in the 44th over.

Dereham's reply started badly as Marczewski and Hewitt both fell to Josh Waterman for low scores, leaving them 22 for two.

David Lake was the next to go with the score on 37 as Dereham looked set to flounder chasing a low target for the second home game in succession.

Anema (63no) and Irons (55no) arrested the slide, however, and they steered Dereham to a much-needed victory in the 36th over.

This Saturday, Dereham are away to Saxlingham.

Dereham (22pts) beat Swardeston B (3) by seven wickets in Norfolk Alliance Division Two.

Swardeston B: J Olpin lbw Starling 38, R Ebbage c Anema b Starling 35, M Hogg run out 8, K Cooper c Starling b Cheetham 0, C Taylor b Starling 7, D Micklethwaite c Burrage b Cheetham 5, J Waterman c Starling b Hewitt 4, M Croft st Burrage b Hewitt 7, N Taylor b Fletcher 16, D Horrex c Burrage b Fletcher 1, D Drepaulsingh not out 0; extras 12. Total (43.1 ovs) 133.

Bowling: K Fletcher 10-2-29-1, J Anema 5-1-15-0, M Cheetham 12-4-35-2, G Starling 12-4-29-3, D Hewitt 4.1-0-20-3.

Dereham: D Hewitt c Horrex b Waterman 2, J Marczewski c Croft b Waterman 3, J Anema not out 63, D Lake lbw Cooper 8, N Irons not out 55; extras 6. Total (3 wkts, 35.2 ovs) 137. Bowling: D Drepaulsingh 7-2-26-0, J Waterman 9-1-35-2, K Cooper 9-2-34-1, D Horrex 9-1-31-0, C Taylor 1.2-0-9-0.