Fakenham’s title hopes dented after home defeat to Brooke

Fakenham Town’s Premier Division title hopes suffered a blow with a six-wicket home defeat at the hands of Brooke.A huge fifth-wicket stand of 144 for Brooke took the game away from the home side on a dull and humid lunchtime at Highfield Lawn.Fakenham won the toss and decided to bat.It looked like a good decision with an opening partnership of 55 between Ben Harvey and John Ewart with Harvey out for 15.Ewart was joined by Chris Read and the latter was dismissed for 14.The total was now 3-2 when Luke Caswell joined Ewart at the crease and they added 83 before Ewart was out for 76.Ewart was playing his last game for Fakenham before moving to Dubai for two years, where he and his wife are taking up new teaching posts. His innings included 5 fours and a six and the score soon became 185-4 when Will Dunger was dismissed cheaply. Fakenham’s hopes of scoring more than 250 were ended when Caswell was caught for a fine knock of 56.Lloyd Marshall finished on 15 not out as Fakenham posted 230 for 8 from their 50 overs.in reply, two early wickets for Oscar Campbell and one for Caswell left Brooke in deep trouble on 18 for 3. A fourth wicket stand steadied the ship before Brooke overseas player Nipuna Gamage (92 not out), and Robbie Bridgstock (79 not out) shared a huge stand of 144 to guide their side to victory.Jack Rowley was the only other home bowler to pick up a wicket as Gamage’s innings included 7 fours and 2 sixes and Bridgstock’s 10 fours. Fakenham remain second in the table just a few points behind league leaders Downham Stow with the two teams set to meet in a potential title decider on the final day of the campaign.Match sponsor and matchball sponsor Dempsey Heating Ltd.Match umpires: Andrew Dale and John Hansell.