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Downham on brink of record fourth title

Matches played on 24 July 2010: round-up by special correspondent Phil Banyard of the Eastern Daily Press.

Downham could potentially land a record-breaking fourth successive Premier Division title next week after their four-wicket win at Brooke put them 92 points clear.

If Duncan Lanchester's side can increase that advantage by nine points next Saturday, it would wrap up yet another title with four games left to play. No team has previously won the Premier Division crown four years in a row.

Saturday's win came after Brooke had set a stiff target of 261, with home skipper Rob Panter (85) and Ali Shearer (76) both hitting half-centuries. Downham's Addam Todd claimed four for 56.

Downham were in difficulty at 37 for three, but New Zealander Jarred Cunningham (96) and Lanchester (46) steered them towards victory, which was completed with an over to spare.

North Runcton moved above Vauxhall Mallards A into second spot after an eight-wicket home success against the Brundall club, with Christian Jonker hitting 104no.

Diss racked up a big score at Cromer, but it was only good enough for a winning draw.

Henry Rush (73) and Simon Cooper (52) both prospered for the visitors, while Cromer's Michael Warnes claimed four for 88. Home skipper Tom Davies (103) responded with a century and although Chris Germon took five for 45, Diss could not force the win.

Lowestoft jumped up to third with a 68-run defeat of Old Buckenham. Tom Brice hit 60 for Lowestoft and they comfortably defended their total as Peter Sims (four for 30) and Marcus Bishop (four for 12) bowled Bucks out.

Acle remain in the bottom two after their five-wicket defeat at Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers. Hugo Nel made 58no for Acle, but an innings of 72 from Wanderers' Ali Ponder proved decisive.

In Division One, Sheringham eased clear of the relegation zone with a 10-wicket mauling of Bradfield.

There were three wickets each for Sheringham skipper Jez Wright and James McAdam as Bradfield failed to reach three figures, before Dexter Smith (44no) and David King (39no) completed a straightforward victory.

Hales are still in contention for a fifth successive promotion after Robin Anderson (52) helped them beat Beccles by 48 runs.

Stow remain third after their seven-wicket triumph against Topcroft, who drop to bottom.

Rob Thurley (54) helped Bradenham secure a 90pc draw at home to Norwich A, who had a half-century from Mark Tipping (67).

Downham A dropped out of the Division Two promotion places following their 64-run defeat at home to Dereham. Jonathan Crisp struck 49 and Duncan Hewitt took four for 57 as Dereham collected maximum points.

Mattishall remain on course for a quick return to Division One after a powerful batting display saw them to an eight-wicket win at Garboldisham.

Danny Cash hit 55 for Garboldisham, with Ben Bourke taking five for 56, but the 200-plus target proved no problem for Mattishall as Jay Eastoe-Smith (88) and Neil Lockwood (75no) saw them to a comfortable victory.

Saxlingham's 72-run win against Saham Toney put them into the top two, Dave Adams taking four for 38.

Paul Dunger made 53 as Fakenham A collected a 90pc losing draw at home to Hillington, who had a century from Anthony Dobing (124).

North Runcton collected maximum points at relegation rivals Swardeston A. Greg Marks (119no) and Peter Coote (70) put Runcton in charge, before Mark Bunting and Ben Coote each took three wickets to seal a 131-run win.

Bellchamber takes it to the maximum

Louis Bellchamber enjoyed a spectacular day with bat and ball as Horsford A bolstered their promotion bid with a maximum points win over Swaffham in Division Three.

Bellchamber claimed four for 49 and then hammered 150no, sharing an unbroken opening stand of 228 with Jamie Heyburn (61no) as Horsford won by 10 wickets.

Leaders Hethersett & Tas Valley won by eight wickets at Acle. Adam Munford (87) was Acle's top scorer, before Tim Shelley (97) and Nick Burrett (64no) steered Tas home.

Great Witchingham A remain third after Rob Gurney hit a century in their winning draw at home to Dersingham - but the hosts' failure to report the result on time has resulted a in a five-point deduction which could prove crucial. Gurney (112) and Michael Atkinson (67) gave Witchingham a commanding total, while Norfolk skipper Carl Rogers, having dropped down from the first team, made just eight before his wrist injury forced him to retire.

Rogers was able to bowl, and he claimed four for 27, but it was not enough as Dickie Sayers (106no) led the Dersingham resistance.

Kirkley & Lowestoft Railway moved out of the relegation zone with a maximum points win at relegation rivals Mundford. Jonathan Block (67) and David Hayes (50) hit half-centuries for Kirkley, with Mundford skipper Alex Bailey taking five for 39.

Chris Nation (six for 44 and 60no), supported by Bernie Everett (70no) led Ashmanhaugh to a nine-wicket win over Thetford, who had a half-century from Liam Conroy (58).

Paul Harwood's 176 kept Narborough's Division Four promotion challenge bubbling as they beat bottom side Aldborough by 85 runs. Mick Broad added 70 for Narborough and although Troy Allen hit back with 155, it was not enough to save Aldborough.

Leaders Great Melton had to be content with a 90pc losing draw at Old Buckenham A. Ben Mann (101no) and Andy Austin (61) gave Bucks the upper hand before Alex Cooper replied with 81 for Melton.

Jon Leverett's 59 helped Sprowston A beat Halvergate by six wickets.

Robbie Fowle (114no) and Barney Goodrum (87) put on 167 together to help Hardingham beat Norwich B by six wickets. Earlier Ben Baldwin hit 121 in the Norwich innings.

Will Lewis took four for 34 and Tom York fired 94 in Bungay's six-wicket triumph over Bradenham A.

In Division Five, Rocklands' Richard Smith took five for 28 to destroy Stow A, before Martin Walker hit 58no in Rocklands' 10-wicket success.

Hethersett & Tas Valley A moved into the promotion places with a six-wicket win over Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers A, while Brooke A beat Dereham A by 94 runs.

Great Melton A beat Vauxhall Mallards B by 38 runs.

Alex Kimber (109) hit a century to help Bradfield A claim top spot in Division Six with a winning draw against Saxlingham A. Carl Wiseman added 76 for Bradfield, with Saxlingham's Mark Hedges making 51.

Previous leaders Lowestoft A were beaten by eight wickets at Mattishall A, who had key contributions from Jack Grant (five for 23), Matthew Gostling (55) and Paul Beaumont (51no). Wayne Nixon hit 55 for Lowestoft.

Robbie Micklethwaite undermined Thetford A with figures of six for 12 as Swardeston-CEYMS romped to a nine-wicket win.

Jonathan Puxley's 121no set up a 61-run win for Beccles A at home to Garboldisham A, who had 84 from Benjamin Mann.

Chris McIsaac hit 76 to guide Mundford A to a three-wicket win at Topcroft A, Kevin Ridley hitting 82 for the hosts.