Swaffham turned in one of their best performances of the season to see off high-flying Beccles in their latest Norfolk Alliance Division Two encounter.

Mark Eagle's side successfully defended a modest total of 173-7 as they dismissed their visitors for just 136 to claim an impressive 37 run victory.

Jack Coggles was the most successful bowler for Swaffham, taking 4-26, while Tom Puckley weighed in with 2-31.

Earlier the Payne brothers had once again impressed, with Jasper making 78 and Alex 40 in a match that was reduced to 35 overs a side by rain.

Swaffham's seventh win of the season lifted them up to fifth in the table, just 31 points adrift of the promotion positions.

They will be looking to give their outside promotion hopes a further boost when they make the short journey to Downham Town A tomorrow (1pm start).

Meanwhile Thetford Town suffered a disappointing home defeat at the hands of lowly Lowestoft on Saturday.

Town were looking to consolidate their mid-table position in Division One of the Alliance against a team who started the day at the foot of the table.

But that's not the way it turned out, with the home side being dismissed for 176 and then going on to lose by four wickets.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first Thetford were unable to build a big total against a disciplined attack, with Liam Conroy's 41 the only score above 20 as the hosts were dismissed in the 47th over.

The star for Lowestoft was Craig Guy, who returned the outstanding figures of 10-4-12-3.

The visitors made a solid start in reply as Adam Savoury (30) and Nathan Garrod (23) put on 57 for the first wicket.

With a good foundation in place the visitors then went on to win with some comfort, knocking off the runs required with over eight overs to spare, with a quick-fire unbeaten 54 from Elliott George that included five fours and two sixes seeing them over the line.

Thetford, now seventh in the table, will be looking to get their campaign back on track on Saturday when they take on Stow at Mundford Road (1pm).