Cromer given lift by Tuck

Matches played on 3 July 2010: round-up by special correspondent Philip Banyard of the Eastern Daily Press.

 

Cromer leapt up to third in the Premier Division with a six-wicket triumph over Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers at Barton Turf.

 

Kieron Tuck (63) led the visitors towards victory after Will Stebbings (81) had top scored for Wanderers.

 

Brooke moved clear of the relegation zone with a 91-run victory against the side previously third, North Runcton.

 

Rahul Dewan struck 75 from 74 balls, with skipper Rob Panter adding 59 for Brooke, while Runcton’s Shaun Hemeter claimed four for 71. Panter then starred with the ball, taking five for 26, to lead his side to success.

 

Downham had their lead at the top cut – but only by two points after they won again, beating Lowestoft by six wickets.

 

Mpho Sekhoto (109) had given Lowestoft a defendable target, striking his fourth successive league century – and his sixth in his last nine competitive innings. But once again it was Alex Stuart (79) who led Downham’s batting effort, before Patrick Yates (56) and Jarred Cunningham (60) helped wrap up victory.

 

Vauxhall Mallards A’s maximum points win at home to bottom side old Buckenham saw them close the gap on Downham to 48 points.

 

Rayno Arendse (56) and Steve Goldsmith (61) gave Mallards a commanding position, with Ben Mann picking up four for 43. Buckenham then got within 11 runs of Mallards’ total, Ian Harrison hitting 72, before they were all out.

 

Swardeston A remain on course for a quick return to the top flight after their five-wicket win at Bradenham in Division One.

 

Mark Hunter (57) and Brett Stolworthy (52no) both hit half-centuries for the hosts, with Chris Gardiner taking four for 36. Steven Cadge (80) and Rob Newman (52) put on 98 for the third wicket as Swardeston won in the final over.

 

Leaders Sprowston now stand 56 points ahead of Swardeston after they strolled to an eight-wicket win against Norwich A.

 

Improving Beccles moved off the bottom and out of the relegation zone with a maximum points 87-run win against Sheringham.

 

Rob Clemence hit 60 for Beccles and Ian Ruddock took four for 16, while Sheringham’s Jez Wright claimed four for 47.

 

Topcroft are now in the bottom two after they lost by one wicket at home to Bradfield.

 

In another dramatic finish, Chris Hlengani’s 52no could not save Hales from a one-wicket defeat against Stow, who recovered from losing their first two wickets without a run on the board.

 

Garboldisham, who narrowly avoided relegation last year, remain in promotion contention from Division Two after Danny Cash hit 101 in a winning draw at home to Swardeston B. Matt Hogg replied with 63no for Swardeston.

 

Leaders Mattishall remain comfortably out in front after Gordon Chetwood made 78no in their seven-wicket win at North Runcton A.

 

Matt Thomas struck 105 and David Ellis added 60 as Saham Toney posted a big total at home to Downham A, but Downham skipper Neil Gromett responded with 64 as his side edged to a one-wicket win. Kurt Richards had earlier taken four for 43 for Downham.

 

Dereham’s Gary Starling took four for 60 but his side were forced to hang on for a losing draw at Hillington, while Saxlingham claimed a winning draw against Fakenham A.

 

Dacre fires Witches to top of table

 

Great Witchingham A moved to the top of Division Three with an eight-wicket win at home to Ashmanhaugh.

 

Sam Dacre hit an unbeaten 77 as Witchingham moved above Horsford A, who were beaten at fellow promotion contenders Hethersett & Tas Valley. Simon Redhead blasted 74no for Tas in a five-wicket success.

 

Swaffham's eight-wicket win at Kirkley & Lowestoft Railway keeps them in contention, with Anthony Reeve making 98no and Clive Oxborough taking four for 48 for the visitors. Chris Lambert hit 91 for Kirkley but they remain bottom.

 

Acle A's Darren Ward (99) and Mundford's Dan White (96no) both narrowly missed out on centuries, but there was consolation for Ward as his side won by four wickets. Alex Bailey made 60 for Mundford.

 

Mick Piggott (61no) led Thetford to a six-wicket win at home to Dersingham after Manny Sayers had hit 54 for the visitors.

 

Runs flowed at Hardingham as their Division Four match against Bungay produced two 300-plus scores.

 

Will Lewis (72) and Ed Masters (93no) had set the tone for Bungay, before Oli Howes (78) and Barney Goodrum (116) pushed Hardingham to within 11 runs of their massive target for a 90pc losing draw.

 

Marcus Godbold (66) and Alex Cooper (59no) helped leaders Great Melton ease to a seven-wicket win at Aldborough, who had 56 from Mike Cramp.

Peter Hills made 65 for Bradenham A, but their total was overhauled by Halvergate as Shaun Howley hit 59.

 

Paul Harwood's 62 was enough to secure a winning draw for Narborough at Old Buckenham A. Pete Goldsmith took four for 32 for the hosts and Tom Alexander scored 62no.

 

Sprowston A's six-wicket win at Norwich B keeps them in the second promotion place.

 

Cromer A are now 40 points clear at the top of Division Five after they beat Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers by eight wickets.

 

Unbeaten half-centuries from Peter Gascoyne (52no) and Kevin Neale (64no) guided Cromer to a straightforward win.

 

Diss A's Tim Courridge blasted 160no to steer his side to a six-wicket win at Great Melton A, with Matt Clarke adding 54no.

 

Earlier David Allum (117no) and Jason Whiddett (62) had given Melton a promising total as the hosts lost just one wicket in their innings.

 

Teenager Elliott Colman struck 55 as Dereham A held on for a losing draw at home to Rocklands, who had a half-century from Martin Walker (50).

 

Vauxhall Mallards B moved off the bottom as they turned the table on high-flying Hethersett & Tas Valley A with a nine-wicket win.

 

Ben Hunt (five for 29) set up the victory chance for Mallards before Harry Barker (74no) completed the job.

 

Stuart Royle hit 70no for Stow A in their 98-run win at home to Brooke A.

Bradfield A assumed top spot in Division Six as they swept to a 144-run win against Topcroft A.

 

Sam Kimber hit 86no for Bradfield before Nick Hewetson blew Topcroft away with figures of six for 10.

 

Swardeston-CEYMS openers James Hooper (122) and David Micklethwaite (77) put on 200 for the first wicket in a winning draw against Garboldisham A.

Craig Fleming's 70 put Saxlingham A on course for a 106-run win at Mundford A.

 

Marcus Bishop hit 98 for Lowestoft A, but Terry Hunter's 94 helped Beccles A survive for a losing draw.

 

Thetford A finished just three runs short of victory in a 90pc losing draw at morning leaders Mattishall A.