Norfolk Ladies missed out on the chance of promotion play-off games after losing their final two ECB League Division Three fixtures.

Suffolk set them a total of 179 to chase in the penultimate game, Eleanor Pringle taking 3-39 from her 10 overs and Jade Hoyte 2-34.

Norfolk needed six from the final over after Robyn Edge had scored a superb 45 and Amy Cubitt 21 but Anoushka Williamson and Caitlin Dye couldn't quite manage it and their side lost by a heart-breaking two runs.

The following day at Fakenham, Lincolnshire were restricted to 179-9, with skipper Emily Woodhouse taking 5-32, but the hosts were skittled out for just 90.

The focus then switched to the ECB T20 competition which started with a tough trip to Harlow to play Hertfordshire and Essex.

Williamson played superbly for her maiden county 50 in a decent total of 102-2 which Herts overhauled with an over to spare.

Norfolk then finished on 53-9 in reply to Essex's 143-9.

Another long trip away to Lincolnshire saw Norfolk bounce back with wins against Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.

Emily Woodhouse shone with a superb 67 against Lincs as the innings finished on 127-6, with the hosts then falling 13 short.

Against Cambridgeshire youngster Holly Marchant batted beautifully for 42 not out in a total of 130-4 that proved more than enough.

Norfolk travel to Suffolk this weekend for round three with the hosts and Essex providing the tough opposition.

In the men's game Norfolk's Over-50s played Bedfordshire at Overstrand.

The visitors made an impressive 302-4 before Steve Goldsmith set about chasing target in his first match for the team. He scored an impressive 125 which included 15 fours and seven sixes. The middle order continued the chase and finished an agonising 11 runs short with one wicket remaining.

The over-60s also played Bedfordshire and an excellent bowling performance restricted them to 115-5 off their 45 overs before openers Robin Yates (34) and Peter Coote (72) knocked off the runs in 25 overs.

The over-70s ere beaten by 10 wickets by Essex at Loughton after being bowled out for 114.