A thunderclap of biblical proportions followed by a torrential downpour brought an end to a promising game for Winterton against rivals Swardeston in Norfolk Alliance Division Five.

When the rain came Swardeston had just lost three wickets for eight runs and were 52 for three in response to an impressive Winterton total of 269 for three declared.

Danny Snowling had taken two wickets for no runs in two overs to remove Snelling (20) and Thacker (0) and Richard Reeder showed what he could do with a perfect ball to Olpin to have him caught behind by Fred Playford for 24.

Swardeston were beginning to look uncertain as to how to approach their response as Winterton raced through their overs to try and beat the approaching storm clouds. However the downpour came and puddles over the square confirmed Winterton’s worst fears.

Earlier the Winterton batsmen had scored freely in setting the target of 270 to win. For the first time this season Bryn Clarke and Josh Austin formed a solid opening partnership of 68 in quick time before Clarke was adjudged lbw for 26.

Austin and Geoff Roper continued the momentum with Austin hitting some perfect drives while Roper settled himself in. The pair added a further 87 at six an over before Austin left a gap between bat and pad to be bowled for a good looking 65 by the persevering Reynolds.

The in-form Martin Witheridge joined Roper and the pair battered the Swardeston bowling. Roper in particular launched an assault while Witheridge played in his usual attacking style. Runs were coming at a rate of eight an over until Roper was also bowled by Reynolds 15 short of his century.

John Fornear also showed his ability and gave good support to Witheridge who continued with the mayhem. Eventually skipper Kevin Percival called an end to the innings three overs early. Witheridge was 51 not out and Fornear 12 not out.

Winterton: B Clarke lbw Bartrum 26, J Austin b Reynolds 65, G Roper b Reynolds 85, M Witheridge not out 51, J Fornear not out 12; extras 31. Total (3 wkts dec) 269. Bowling: T Snelling 10-1-61-0, C Kennard 8-1-55-0, R Olpin 8.3-0-46-0, S Bartrum 9-0-38-1, P Reynolds 8-1-45-2.

Swardeston/CEYMS: J Olpin c Playford b Reeder 24, T Snelling b Snowling 20, J Thacker b Snowling 0, M Austin not out 0; extras 8. Total (3 wkts) 52. Bowling: B Utting 5-0-24-0, R Larner 4-0-17-0, R Reeder 2.4-0-10-1, D Snowling 2-2-0-2.

Winterton’s newly formed U11 side played their first game in the Broadland Youth Cricket League on Sunday morning and did themselves proud, losing narrowly by six runs on a blustery day at Aldborough.

Winterton lost the toss and were asked to field and made a good start, thanks to some accurate bowling from Luke Brook (1-9) and Ethan Fox (1-11). The visitors kept the pressure on with some more good bowling from Charlie Austin (0-22), Jed Notarianni (0-8), Nathan Cocking (0-10) and Natalie Cocking (0-8) and George Witheridge (0-12) as Aldborough finished on 275.

Brook and Notarianni withstood the early challenge to keep their wickets intact. Winterton’s next batting pair started brightly but then lost two wickets in two balls.

The game came down to the last over with 13 runs required but Winterton fell six short.

Lucy Witheridge batted well for her six, as did Ethan Fox with eight and Luke Brook with six, but it wasn’t quite enough.