Swardeston came through a tough local challenge at the weekend to book their place in the next stage of the ECB National Club Twenty20.

Joe Gatting's side edged past Great Witchingham by 11 runs in the county final at Walcis Park to keep alive hopes of emulating the club's national successes in 2010 and 2016.

Swardeston made 189-6 in their 20 overs, with Peter Lambert (47 not out) and Stephen Gray (44) leading the way as Nathan Perry-Warnes took 3-36. The Witches finished on 178-4 in reply as Mike Jones made 46 and Perry-Warnes 43.

Both sides had come through their semi-finals with relative ease.

Swardeston made 195-5 against Vauxhall Mallards, with Gray (86 not out) and Lambert (64) putting on 125 for the fourth wicket, before restricting the opposition to 121-8.

It was a little closer in the other game with Great Witchingham making 161-5 (Aaron Riseborough 52) and Horsford replying with 133-8 (Chris Read 65).

Swardeston were back in Twenty20 action on Wednesday evening, beginning the defence of their NW Brown Norfolk title with a comfortable eight wicket win over Brooke.

The Norfolk Alliance underdogs were bowled out for just 114 in the final over, with Chris Sheehy top scoring with 28 and Jeremy Elliott taking 3-14.

The holders wasted no timing in wrapping up proceedings, taking just 8.4 overs to reach 117-2 as Lewis Denmark (65 not out) and Peter Lambert (37 not out) put together a fine unbeaten partnership.

Having beaten Norwich emphatically in their opening fixture Brooke could still qualify for the semi-finals but must wait on the result of the Swardeston v Norwich game on July 5.

Hosts Horsford made a winning start to their campaign the following evening when they comfortably saw off Great Witchingham in the other group, They chased down 136 in the 13th over, with Chad Bowes making an unbeaten 69.

Hockwold's Euan Gilmour is the Cecil Amey Opticians Norfolk Alliance player of the month for May. He scored 326 runs in the month, with innings of 67, 48, 103 and 108 not out helping to take his side to the top of Division Four.