BBC Radio Norfolk Blast Sports Reporter Melissa Rudd

Swardeston retain their Norfolk Twenty20 crown

Swardeston retained the Norfolk Twenty20 Cup after a 17-run win over opponents Great Witchingham at Manor Park on Friday.

A crowd of more than 500 turned out for the climax of this season�s trophy.

Will Rist hit 35 in a Swardeston total of 153, which proved just enough despite a half-century for Great Witchingham's James Spelman.

Swardeston captain Mark Thomas said: "At stages we were struggling but it's great to win a game like that."

Swardeston won the toss and elected to bat but got off to a slow start with openers Peter Lambert (11) and George Walker (7) both caught off the bowling of Stuart Evans.

Jaden Hatwell and Will Rist (35) steadied the innings from 33-3 to 78-4 before Hatwell was caught by teenager Sam Arthurton.

Jonathan Cooper added 32 not out from 18 balls during the final overs.

Witchingham started strongly as Carl Rogers (33) and James Spelman (51) piled on the runs.

Swardeston�s title looked to be in trouble before a rare dismissal turned the match.

Skipper Mark Thomas bowled a no ball followed by a wide and the batsman was awarded a second free hit.

Edging to Sam Thelwell at slip, some of the fielders began celebrating the catch as batsman Sam Arthurton stopped running between the wickets.

His indecision was punished as the players realised the catch did not count and threw down the stumps leaving Arthurton run out.

James Spelman�s 51 was not enough to clinch victory as his side fell 17 runs short of their target of 154.