Lawrence in fine Dereham form

Andy Lawrence was dominant with bat and ball as Dereham rounded off their season with an 85-run win at home to Swardeston A on Saturday. The Dereham vice-captain top scored with 65 in Dereham's total of 183 and then bowled magnificently to take five for 15 as Swardeston were bowled out for 98.

Dereham batted first and after the early loss of Max Cheetham and Jack West, Duncan Hewitt and Phil Banyard repaired the damage with a stand of 45. Hewitt fell one short of his half-century and Banyard followed for 15, but Lawrence and Jake Anema took the score up to 155.

Lawrence reached his half-century from 43 balls and looked on course for a big score when he was unexpectedly dismissed. Anema fell for 17 and although David Lake batted sensibly to make 12, the Dereham lower order faded badly.

Swardeston's bright start was halted when Lawrence held on to a looping catch at backward point off Joe Marczewski's bowling and Marczewski struck again in his next over, removing Parry lbw. Lawrence then trapped Ebbage lbw for 40 before Kristien Fletcher held on to a sharp chance in the slips from Jonathan Crisp's bowling.

Simon Jessop was caught behind off Lawrence before the same bowler accounted for Martin with a brilliant Yorker. Lawrence went on to complete his five-wicket haul, while Marczewski claimed his third victim and the win was wrapped up when Jake Anema had Ben Shearing caught by man of the match Lawrence in the covers.

Dereham A lost by four wickets at Northwold and finished sixth in West Norfolk League Division One, while Dereham B were denied a game as King's Lynn were unable to raise a side and they finished bottom of Division Four.

Dereham U17 lost to Downham/Stow in their Junior Carter Cup semi-final. In a match reduced to 20 overs per side, Dereham made 89 and then reduced their opponents to nine for three, but Downham/Stow recovered to win by seven wickets.