Swaffham beat Thetford by two wickets in tight Norfolk Alliance battle
Troy Allan strokes the ball away for Vauxhall Mallards at Manor Park Picture: TIM FERLEY - Credit: Archant
Alex Payne played a match-winning innings as Swaffham beat Thetford in a hard-fought Norfolk Alliance Division One clash on Saturday.
Payne's unbeaten 71 helped the hosts overhaul a target of 160-9 with just two wickets in hand after being in deep trouble at 24-4.
Much depended on Payne after his brother Jasper, Mark Lenderyou, Mark Eagle and Alex Vincent all went cheaply - and he rose to challenge superbly.
With the tail providing excellent support, he batted 131 balls to guide his side home, with Ryan Bradbury contributing a vital unbeaten 15 in an unbroken ninth wicket partership of 35.
Lewis Greyson and James Baulch both took two wickets in a brave bowling effort but it wasn't quite enough.
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Earlier Liam Conroy (46) and Andrew Kerling (30 not out) had made the main contributions for the visitors on an overcast day when the advantage was with the fielding side.
It was a good all-round bowling effort from Swaffham, with Eagle, Vincent, Matthew Brockman-Smith and Tom Puckey all taking two wickets.
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The win took newly promoted Swaffham up to fifth in the table with two wins and a defeat to their name.
It was a first loss of the season for Thetford after following up an abandoned game with a victory.
Both teams hit the road on Saturday, with Swaffham at Old Buckenham and Thetford at Acle.
Thetford A beat Mattishall A by 73 runs in Division Six. Ray Smeed scored 72 and Mark Fowler 58 to help them up to an impressive 255-8 in their 45 overs and the visitors could only managed 180-9 in reply.
Thetford seconds are at home to their Diss counterparts on Saturday.
