Downham Town pulled off a huge shock in the quarter-finals of the Carter Cup on Sunday when they knocked out holders Swardeston.

The Norfolk Alliance Premier Division champions defied the odds to come out on top in a high-scoring game at The Common which saw the hosts fall 28 runs when chasing a daunting total of 319-6.

Downham were joined in the semi-finals by another Alliance side, with Fakenham pulling off a giant-killing act of their own to beat another East Anglian Premier League outfit Horsford, while Great Witchingham and Vauxhall Mallards picked up wins that were expected to complete the line-up.

After winning an important toss and, not surprisingly, opting to bat first on a glorious morning Downham were quickly into their stride, with opener Harrison Gregory making 83 and Jack Gould 69 to help them past 150 for the loss of only one wicket.The runs continue to flow as the visitors made full use of their 50 overs, with Addam Todd's 42 in just 18 balls taking them well past the 300 mark.

As you would expect from side of Swardeston's quality that was by no means the end of the story and after they had slipped to 18-2 a superb 130 from Stephen Gray got them right back into the match, with Peter Lambert (78) helping him add 128 for the fourth wicket. Once they went it was a tall order however and a home side missing a number of EAPL regulars were dismissed for 291 in the 47th over.

It was much more clear-cut at Highfields Lawn where Fakenham won by seven wickets after bowling Horsford out for just 167. It completed a notable double for the Alliance side, who had beaten 2017 runners-up Norwich in the first round.

Matthew Plater made 93 as Mallards reached 249-6 at the Coronation Ground before bowling Alliance Division Two side Martham out for 186 while Great Witchingham came through a rain-affected game at Brooke. Mike Jones scored an unbeaten 138 against his former side while James Spelman made 65 in an impressive total of 281-3 and Brooke had reached 80-4 in reply in the 25th over when heavy rain forced the game to be abandoned, with the visitors going through by virtue of a better scoring rate.

The draw for the semi-finals will be made live on Radio Norfolk on Friday between 6.30 and 7pm.

Carter Naco Cup quarter-finals: Cromer (311-4) beat Bradfield (235) by 76 runs, North Runcton (219-0) beat Norwich (218-7) by 10 wickets (Mark Skipper 118 not out). Acle and Old Buckenham progressed without playing as respective opponents Mattishall and Sprowston were unable to raise a side.