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Downham one victory away from retaining crown

Matches played on 8 August: round-up by special correspondent Phil Banyard of the Eastern Daily Press.

The Norfolk Cricket Alliance Premier Division title looks to be Downham's for the taking once more after a straightforward victory over Brooke. After bowling Brooke out for just 156, Duncan Lanchester's men reached 160 for two to claim 22 points. They will retain the championship next week if they win their game regardless of what else happens in the last three weeks of the season. Acle kept the race for the title alive with a crushing victory against North Runcton. Kiwi Haydn Murray weighed in with 67 as Acle racked up 229 for nine, before bowling the home side out for 165 despite 73 from Paul Jefferson.

David Tooke's unbeaten century earned Diss an impressive victory at third-placed Vauxhall Mallards. Tooke smashed 112 not out and was ably supported by Simon Cooper with 81, as Diss reached their target of 255 to win for the loss of just three wickets. Earlier, Rayno Arendse, Ian Harrison and James Shipley had all notched half centuries in Mallards total of 254 for nine. Swardeston and Topcroft are both clear favourites for relegation after defeats. Swardeston lost by four wickets to Cromer, while Topcroft were beaten by seven wickets by Lowestoft Town. Philip du Plessis hit 64 in Topcroft's 170 for nine with Matt Reid taking four for 39 for Lowestoft Town. South African Sammy-Jo Avontuur then hit 83 in a successful run chase.

In Division One, Old Buckenham beat Bradenham by 81 runs to strengthen their position at the top. Jon Fudge and Jack Jarvis grabbed half-centuries as the Bucks hit 198 for eight, before Phil King claimed five for 29 as Bradenham were bowled out for 117. Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers kept up the heat on the leaders with a win over bottom side Mattishall, with Jeremy Pilch hitting 71 not out. Norwich ensured the top three all won with Nick Hurford grabbing five for 12 as they defeated Bradfield. Tim Hales hit 62 for Sprowston as they earned a winning draw against Sheringham. Pubudu Waddawaduge scored 74 for Sheringham as they closed on 198 for nine chasing 229. Meanwhile, there were half centuries for Warren Bowman (77) and Kosala Kulasekera (67) in Stow's winning draw against Saham Toney.

Division Two leaders Hales' dip in form continued as they suffered their second reverse in successive weeks, falling 30 runs short of a modest 145 victory target bottom-of-the-table Dersingham. But Swardeston A failed to take advantage as they lost to Hillington by 12 runs. Mundford's Alex Bailey snaffled a hat-trick in his figures of five for 20 in his side's win against Garboldisham, for whom Andrew Whistler hit 52. Dan Vihm finished with four for 25 as Beccles beat Dereham by seven wickets. Dereham were bowled out for just 128 and Rob Porter then racked up 56 for Beccles.

Badenhorst blast not enough Roald Badenhorst blasted 111 for Downham A but it was not enough for the leaders to claim victory in Division Three. They had to be content with a draw against Ashmanhaugh after Sam Mackay followed up his knock of 120 last week with the same score, this time unbeaten. Downham's minor slip up allowed Horsford to close the gap at the top to 21 points following their six-wicket victory over bottom side Kirkley & Lowestoft Railway. Elsewhere in the division, Matt Ellis had a fantastic day with bat and ball as Hethersett & Tas Valley cruised to a comfortable six-wicket home win against Thetford. He claimed six for 22 with the ball as Thetford were restricted to 194 for nine. Then he hit 69 and received good support from Carl Puttock, who made 62, as Tas won in style.

Norfolk skipper Carl Rogers made 64 for Division Four leaders Great Witchingham A as they successfully chased down Bungay's 197 for seven to win by six wickets. David Fuller and Matthew Watts both hit half-centuries for Bungay, but their total was no match for the Witches, with Michael Atkinson also hitting 50 alongside Rogers. Second-placed Great Melton suffered a surprising defeat to Old Buckenham A, after being bowled out for 131 with Chris Howes claiming four for 22. Narborough failed to take advantage of Melton's slip up however - the third-placed side drawing with Acle A. Danny Carter scored 80 and Paul Adams 58 as Acle scored 226 for eight. Andrew Wright then claimed four for 57 as Narborough closed on 208 for six despite 74 from Mick Broad. Stow won the battle of the basement sides after beating Dereham A by 125 runs.

In Division Five, the top two both won. Simon Brister made 96 and Scott Foreman scored 56 as Halvergate beat Brooke A. Ian Moody claimed four for 26 for Bradenham A as they overcame Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers A by two wickets.Simon Mann hit 80 and team-mate Les Abel scored 60, before Steven Pearce claimed five for 42 in Rocklands' win against Topcroft.

In Division Six, an unbeaten century from Saxlingham A's Alan Ely put the skids under the promotion push of Vauxhall Mallards A. Ely hit 110 not out and William Burnell made 67 as Saxlingham won by eight wickets. Trevor Lee smashed an unbeaten 124 for second-placed Garboldisham A as they were held to a draw by fellow contenders Lowestoft Town A. Mattishall A lost to bottom side Mundford A despite 84 from Steve Thacker.Jamie Carter hit 74 not out for Bradfield A in their win against Swardeston CEYMS.