Thetford Cricket Club captain Liam Conroy’s starring performances with bat and ball during July saw him earn a place on the four-man shortlist for the Dipple & Conway Opticians Norfolk Alliance player of the month award.

Conroy, who scored 96 runs in one innings also weighed in with wickets, taking 5-15 & 4-21.

The Thetford skipper was pipped to the title by 18-year-old Fakenham A batsman Harrison Futter but continued his good form this weekend in an emphatic 91-run triumph over Swardeston B. The victory keeps alive Thetford’s slim hopes of winning the Division Two title, in third place, 40 points behind leaders Norwich A with three matches to play – who were held to a draw at second-placed Hethersett & Tas Valley.

Opening batsmen Alex Dennis (59) and Craig Balsch (57) set the tone with a first-wicket stand of 115, with Conroy adding 28 himself in a total of 253 for seven.

The visiting skipper then also took 4-45 in 11 overs to help bowls Swardeston out for 162 to bounce back from a three-wicket home loss to Bradfield the previous Saturday.

Thetford A were not in action in Division Six but Mundford were in Division Four at home against Rocklands, who are right behind them in the table in third place.

Mundford won the toss and decided to bowl first, restricting the visitors to 172-9 in their 46 overs, with Mick Annear taking 4-27.

The run chase was not successful though with Annear the highest score with a knock of 21 as the hosts were bowled out for just 89 to slip to defeat, with Jonny Bunting taking four wickets for Rocklands.

This weekend Thetford travel to fifth-placed Bradenham and Thetford A are away at Bradfield A, while Mundford travel to struggling Stow A.