Fakenham maintained the pressure on Norfolk Alliance leaders North Runcton with a confident run chase to defeat Acle by seven wickets on Saturday.
The hosts chased down 225 with more than six overs to spare.
After being put into the field, Fakenham’s bowlers faced a determined Acle batting unit that posted a competitive total of 225 for 7 from their 50 overs.
Opener Matt Buttery anchored Acle’s innings with a composed 57 from 76 balls, striking 11 boundaries in the process.
He was well-supported by Craig Press, who added a gritty 46 from 72 balls.
However, Fakenham’s bowlers kept the scoring rate in check during the middle overs.
Owen Cole (2-41) and Frankie Sutton (2-36) picked up key wickets, including the dangerous Buttery and middle-order threats Tom Wilson and Jordan Neasmith.
William Dewing also chipped in with two scalps, removing Press and Sam Utting as Acle lost wickets at regular intervals in the latter stages.
Set 226 for victory, Fakenham got off to a shaky start, losing both openers early.
Frankie Sutton and Billy Yarham fell cheaply, leaving the hosts at 25-2 after ten overs.
But a match-winning partnership between Steve Gray and Harry Bammant turned the tide in Fakenham’s favour.
Gray played with positive intent, smashing 13 boundaries in a fluent 65 from 68 balls, before falling to a sharp return catch from Max Littlewood.
By then, Fakenham were already well-placed at 123 for 3.
From there, it was the Harry Bammant and Luke Caswell show.
The pair combined for an unbroken 104-run stand, calmly guiding their side to victory.
Bammant’s 72 not out came off 96 balls and included 11 fours and a six, while Caswell brought some late fireworks with a rapid 54 not out off just 53 deliveries, striking eight boundaries and one maximum.
Acle’s bowlers struggled to contain the in-form pair as the required run rate dwindled, with Fakenham crossing the finish line in the 44th over, finishing on 227 for 3.
