In-form Downham pull off huge cup shock
In-form Downham Town pulled off a huge shock in the quarter-finals of the Carter Cup on Sunday when they knocked out holders Swardeston.
Downham went into the game knowing it would be a tough task in what is the final year of the competition, but they were always in control as they clinched victory by 28 runs.
Batting first on a glorious day, Downham started brilliantly with Harrison Gregory carrying on his form from the day before when taking on the Swardeston bowlers from the start.
Gregory made a brilliant 83 from just 74 balls with no less than 15 fours to his name.
Jack Gould (69) ably supported Gregory at the other end as Downham looked to compile the big score they knew they’d need.
Once those two went it was left to the middle-order to up the tempo and that they did.
Yates made a quickfire 34 of 19 balls, which was followed by Addam Todd who bettered it with 42 of just 18.
It helped Downham reach a fantastic 319 for 6 off their 50 overs.
Even with a big score on the board Downham knew they needed to bowl well, and Green once again stepped up to the mark by removing Sims for 0 in the first over.
Gregory also picked up the first of his three wickets soon after, reducing the home side to 18 for 2.
The game quickly swung the other way however as Swardeston big players reached the crease.
Stephen Gray was the mainstay of the innings making a brilliant 130.
Chris Sharp removed Gatting for 23 but the runs continued to flow as Gray and Lambert put on 128 for the fourth wicket.
When Gregory came back into the attack it was the turning moment of the game as he bowled the hard-hitting Lambert for 78.
The pressure started to grow as Swardeston, also concerned about rain, looked to keep up with the big asking rate.
Wickets continued to tumble as Hooton entered the attack, taking the vital wicket of Gray, caught on the boundary by Dom Corbett.
It was left to a brilliant run-out from Jack Gould to end proceedings as Swardeston were all out for 291.
The draw for the semi-final is tonight on Radio Norfolk.
Shire Foods MoM: Harrison Gregory.
Norfolk Alliance
Premier Division
Downham
beat Cromer
by 7 wickets
Downham cruised to a seven-wicket win over Cromer on Saturday to move within a point of league leaders Stow at the top of the Alliance Premier Division.
Bowling first on a slightly damp wicket, Downham made early inroads with Australian Nathan Green leading the way.
Green picked up the dangerous Sutton early, the first of his four victims who were all clean-bowled.
Downham continued to pick up wickets steadily as J. Stuart and Addam Todd tied down the Cromer middle-order.
Downham were helped by an injury to Charliwood which forced him off the field when on 12 and were well on top until he returned late on in the innings.
Charliwood struck a quickfire 50 and was left stranded at the other end as Hooton and Green cleaned up the tail.
Cromer finished on 176 all out after s strong all round bowling performance from Town.
Downham knew 176 was a below-par score on a small ground, however it required a strong start from the Town openers to ensure there was no problems with the run chase.
Gregory, with a classy 70 not out, and 36 from Alex Stuart gave them exactly that, putting on 80 for the first wicket.
Apart from a mini-collapse when Stuart was adjudged leg-before-wicket and the in-form Gould was run out for one, the win never looked in doubt.
It was left to Green to finish his good day with a maximum as Town cruised to victory with five overs to spare.
Shire Foods MoM: Nathan Green.
