BEEF Meadow witnessed one of the best games in years as Beccles successfully chased down a challenging target of 234 set by promotion challengers Swardeston.

BEEF Meadow witnessed one of the best games in years as Beccles successfully chased down a challenging target of 234 set by promotion challengers Swardeston.

Town skipper Sydenham won the toss again and decided to bowl on what seemed to be a wicket which would offer some assistance to his seam bowlers. However, Swardeston began strongly as Turrell and Fisher searched for control with the new ball, the visitors reaching 80 for no loss in the 14th over.

Sydenham brought on Ross and George, which paid immediate dividends as George bowled one of his best spells in a Beccles shirt, taking four quick wickets including Herathge (48) and the key wicket of Rob Newman (6).

Ross, meanwhile, bowled his usual tight line and the runs began to dry up. A freak run- out and another two wickets for Ross left Swardeston 160-7 with 10 overs remaining.

But some poor bowling and hard hitting from Australian Gardiner meant Swardeston went in very confident at tea with 233 on the board.

Town knew a couple of big scores would be needed from the top order, on a deteriorating wicket. Pinch-hitter Turrell couldn't get comfortable with Gardiner's pace, and was bowled in the fourth over for one.

Ross who made a quick 13 before he was adjudged lbw by umpire Chinkin, who has recently been selected to become part of the major counties umpiring board.

Stig Porter joined his brother, and they began to rebuild the Beccles innings, putting away the bad ball and rotating the strike well, reaching drinks at 125-2.

However, Richard Porter was dismissed by a great catch from young wicket-keeper Croft, and was soon followed by Rich Turrell (1) and Clemence (5). Beccles were in trouble at 153-5.

Despite this, while Beccles still had Rob Porter at the crease there was a chance of victory, and he began to up the tempo of his innings as the run rate began to rise, assisted well by Sneddon and Fisher. But as they went, followed by Sydenham plum lbw, George came in with Beccles at 195-8 and only six overs remaining.

With four overs left, Beccles needed 27 for a crucial win, and the first ball of the 47th was smashed straight over the bowler's head for six by Porter, followed by some brilliant running from George and Porter to take 13 from

the over.

With just four to win off the last ball of the 49th over, Porter's marathon of over three hours was over as he was bowled by Gardiner for 89 - with wild celebrations from the Swardeston bowler.

Glen Wright, after George took three, smashed his first ball over mid-wicket for four.

A fantastic win for Beccles, who must now take the momentum of this victory into the next game and the rest of the season to secure their place in Alliance Division One for next season.

Goldline Taxis man of the match: Robert Porter.