Ryman League next for Norwich United as they retain Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division title

The Planters have dominated their defence of the Eastern Counties set-up's top-flight, looking nothing short of champions-elect all season.

A 31st win of the season on Saturday at home to fourth-placed Felixstowe & Walton United would have been enough to clinch back-to-back titles. But unfortunately the rain curtailed that fixture.

United's patience was rewarded yesterday though when they won 2-1 at Walsham-le-Willows to spark scenes of delight in Suffolk.

The visitors' night got off to the perfect start when Andy Eastaugh opened the scoring with just two minutes on the clock.

Jamie Speller soon rifled home from 20 yards as John Edridge's side showed they meant business.

And while they never added to their tally, and conceded, their inevitable celebrations could not be delayed any longer come the final whistle as Godmanchester Rovers' faint hopes of overhauling Norwich finally came to an end.

The next stop appears to be the Ryman League for the Blofield club – who won the Step Five title for the first time in their history under Damian Hilton last season.

Officials have started that this time around, unlike last summer, they will not turn down promotion with Plantation Park already having passed its ground-grading inspection.

The double-double remains on for the club who remain on course for back-to-back league and cup doubles. They have a chance to retain the Thurlow Nunn League Cup on Monday May 2 when they take on Mildenhall in the final at Diss.

United can go one better this campaign though – one which saw assistant Edridge step into the hot-seat after Hilton returned to Wroxham midway through the season – when they attempt to win the Norfolk Senior Cup for the first time.

The Planters take on Dereham Town in the final of that competition at Carrow Road on the evening of Friday, May 13, in a match which will provide a good barometer ahead of seemingly joining the Magpies, and Wroxham, if they avoid relegation in Division One North next season.

At the other end of the table, relegation-threatened duo Fakenham Town and Swaffham Town picked up what could be priceless points in their bid to beat the drop.

Both sides drew, after going behind, with Fakenham playing out a six-goal thriller at home to Mildenhall Town and Swaffham drawing 1-1 at Ipswich Wanderers.

Ashley Jarvis put Fakenham ahead before they soon found themselves 3-1 down at Clipbush Park.

That scoreline would have been music to Swaffham's ears as they try to pull themselves out of the bottom two – not seemingly the relegation places rather than the initial three that were stated.

Kyle Plumb gave Fakenham hope by making it 3-2 and Jarvis' equaliser from 20 yards ensured that Wayne Anderson's men remained a point ahead of Swaffham in the standings.

The latter do have two games in hand though as they prepare for a busy end to a season which has seen them get dragged into a scrap for survival after a torrid run of form.

Swaffham were only promoted last summer but have fallen down the table following boss Paul Hunt's decision to walk away from Shoemakers Lane earlier in the campaign.

They still have four matches left to play while a resurgent Fakenham have just two.