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Birthday present is a tie

Matches played on 7 August 2010: round-up by special correspondent Phil Banyard of the Eastern Daily Press.

Duncan Lanchester got a tie for his birthday as Downham secured an historic fourth consecutive Premier Division title triumph after one of the most dramatic matches in his 20-plus year reign as skipper.

The first tie during his captaincy was a novel present from the players as Downham, needing only seven points, finally bagged 11, in a nerve-jangling low-scoring affair at the Memorial Playing Field.

Diss were 67-7 after the second rain break and looked to be heading towards defeat but their plucky tailenders pulled them back into contention and the last man arrived at the crease with the scores level on 127.

But all hopes of an improbable victory were snuffed out in two deliveries by ex-Norfolk paceman Addam Todd. Having claimed four wickets in a fiery opening spell, he added his fifth at an overall cost of 23 runs to ensure that the champions did not have any egg on their faces.

“It was a great game,” enthused Lanchester. “We always seem to have good games against Diss.” He added: “We didn't bat particularly well. You can't blame it on the wicket - the wicket was OK.”

Commenting on the record-breaking fourth consecutive title success, he added: “It's never been done before. It's good for a club like ours. We don't see ourselves as a big club. We have had the same seven or eight players all the way through.”

Meanwhile North Runcton stepped up their pursuit of second spot with a victory over relegation-threatened Acle, for whom Hugo Nell hit a battling 70.

Vauxhall Mallards A lost some ground in the race for runners-up place in a 19-run defeat at Brooke.

Sprowston moved a step closer to the Division One title as they beat bottom of-the-table Beccles, for whom Rob Porter scored a half century.

Chris Gardiner took all five wickets for Swardeston, who faced solid resistance and had to settle for a draw against relegation-threatened Bradfield.

Stow, who also have their eyes on second place, were foiled by Norwich A, who having been set a 299 victory target were hanging on for dear life at 136-9 at the close. William Denny (63), Dammika Perera (63) and Keith Thomson (73) had all joined in the Stow run-fest.

Second-from-bottom Topcroft gave their hopes of avoiding the drop a timely boost with James Goodfellow and Robert Marshall sharing eight wickets in a 95-run demolition derby at Hales.

Mark Hunter took 5 for 21 and Patrick Dewing posted an unbeaten half century as Bradenham emerged convincing winners in a low-scoring mid-table clash with Sheringham.

Runaway Division Two leaders Mattishall suffered a surprise slip against Fakenham A but Hillington made up some ground by beating second-placed Saxlingham thanks to a one-man show from Anthony Dobbing, who hit 81 and took 5 for 27.

Saham Toney's Simon Pitkethly hit 86 and Matt Thomas weighed in with 61 in a tense draw with North Runcton A, for whom Greg marks hit 85.

Harwood's run rampage

Paul Harwood scored a magnificent unbeaten double century as Narborough fired out a Division Four title warning.

Harwood launched a blistering assault on the Bradenham A bowling as Narborough posted an awesome 309-5 total, before their shellshocked opponents posted 153 in reply.

Bottom of the table Aldborough's Andy Duckham showed that he's not prepared to go down without a fight, scoring an unbeaten 63 in his team's 115-8 total against Hardingham, who scored 119-3.

Free-scoring Hethersett and Tas Valley moved a step closer to the Division Three title with a winning draw against Thetford. Simon Redhead and John Curtis both hit half centuries as Tas rattled up an imposing 293-8 total. Thetford's rearguard action saw them reach 165-4 at the close including a defiant 65 from Liam Conroy.

Ashmanhaugh kept their promotion hopes alive as they blasted 321-5, featuring an unbeaten 90 from Stuart Warminger against Swaffham, with Alex Metcalfe claiming 5-17 as the Brecklanders were dismissed for 134.

Hethersett and Tas Valley A boosted hopes of a club double promotion celebration this season as they restricted Dereham A to a 166-9 total in Division Five, with Joe Brett and Rob Scott sharing six wickets. In reply, Jack Smith's unbeaten 68 paved the way for victory with four wickets in hand.

Cromer A are keeping all guns blazing at the top of the table, showing far too much firepower for Great Melton A, who they dismissed for 80 with Darren Payne claiming 4 for 23. Ben Clarke dominated the reply with an unbeaten 58.

Swardeston-CEYMS underlined their Division Six title ambitions with a winning draw at leaders Mattishall A, Freddie Ruffle top scoring with 54.