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In-form Stuart extends Downham's lead

 

Matches played on 19 June 2010: round-up by special correspondent Philip Banyard of the Eastern Daily Press.

Alex Stuart continued his magnificent vein of batting form as Downham went 50 points clear at the top of the Premier Division with a seven-wicket win at Old Buckenham.

Stuart added 70 to his previous two scores of 160 and 79 as Downham eased past Buckenham, who are now 39 points adrift at the bottom after Brooke picked up a winning draw at Acle.

Brooke's impressive total came courtesy of centuries from Rahul Dewan (116) - his second successive ton - and skipper Rob Panter (110no). Hugo Nel hit 55 for Acle, but Dewan claimed three for 55 with the ball to give Brooke the upper hand.

Steve Goldsmith's stunning contribution with bat and ball could not secure victory for second-placed Vauxhall Mallards A, who had to settle for a winning draw at home to Diss.

Goldsmith smashed 135 as Mallards piled on the runs at Brundall, helped by Rayno Arendse (64) and Hamish Barton (69). The former Derbyshire, Kent and Norfolk player then took four for 51, but Simon Cooper (65) and Mike Tooke (53no) saw Diss make a highly respectable total in reply.

Andrew Barrett's 119 guided North Runcton towards a 90pc losing draw at home to Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers, after Pite Van Biljon had struck 120 for the visitors.

Rain prevented the completion of the match between high-fliers Lowestoft and Cromer.

In Division One, Sprowston cruised to a nine-wicket win at Topcroft to extend their lead at the top to 47 points, after second-placed Swardeston A lost at Sheringham.

Evan Tuck (four for 35) and Chris Moy (four for 26) bowled Swardeston out cheaply before Sheringham took their time completing a four-wicket win. Ex-Swardeston player Jimmy Hall top scored with 49 as Sheringham took 50 overs to make 123. Former Norwich City footballer Rob Newman was back in action for Swardeston, taking two for 22.

Bradenham secured a winning draw at Stow after Mpho Selowa hit 60 for the visitors. Stow's Peter Griffin returned figures of six for 43.

Hales' recent revival was halted by Norwich A as Tom Goodley fired 102no in a five-wicket win for the hosts at Postwick.

Beccles picked up their best result of the season so far, a 90pc losing draw at Bradfield. Steve Bidewell made 54 and Alex Kimber took four for 57 for the hosts.

Division Two leaders Mattishall proved too strong for Saxlingham in a 116-run victory.

Cameron Brown (79) put Mattishall in charge before Australian Ben Bourke ripped through Saxlingham, taking five for 38. Saxlingham's Neil Forsdick had earlier claimed four for 39.

New Zealander Kurt Richards blasted 146no for second-placed Downham A, with Rob Ebbage (74no) securing a losing draw for Swardeston B.

Adie Wood's 83 helped Saham Toney pick up a winning draw at Dereham, while Hillington swept to an eight-wicket success against bottom side North Runcton A.

Ian Melvin made 62 for Garboldisham but their match at Fakenham A was abandoned.

Bellchamber engineers victory for Horsford A

Louis Bellchamber struck an unbeaten 89 in a nine-wicket triumph over Ashmanhaugh to stretch Horsford A's lead at the top of Division Three to 14 points.

Openers Bellchamber and George Cuffley took Horsford to within one run of victory when the latter was dismissed for 40.

Alex Dennis hit 56 and Lewis Greyson took five for 37 as Thetford won by six wickets at Kirkley & Lowestoft Railway, Ben Wilgoss hitting 69 for the hosts.

Second-placed Great Witchingham A crushed Mundford by seven wickets and Acle A were six-wicket winners at Dersingham. Rain prevented a result at Swaffham, where Craig Titmarsh made 64 for the hosts against Hethersett & Tas Valley.

Richard Wood fired 90 and 16-year-old Josh Wilson added 69no as Division Four leaders Great Melton chased down a big target to beat Norwich B by three wickets.

Josh Lincoln returned outstanding figures of six for 32 in Old Buckenham A's 90pc losing draw at Sprowston A. Danny Palmer made 80 for the home side.

Troy Allen's five for 36 could not stave off a four-wicket defeat for bottom side Aldborough at Halvergate, Steven Clarke (60no) guiding the hosts to victory.

Bungay beat Narborough by five wickets, while Hardingham maintained their promotion challenge with a winning draw at Bradenham A, thanks to Oli Howes (51) and Barney Goodrum (70).

In Division Five, top of the table Cromer A bowlers Jonathan Battrick (five for 18) and Chris Carey (four for 30) set up a six-wicket win over Stow A. Ed Landymore (96) provided the majority of runs in Stow's small total.

Simon Cushing (79) and Paul Daynes (67) led Brooke A to six wicket success against Great Melton A, who had 62 from Matthew Clarke.

Vauxhall Mallards B's Tom McCarthy claimed four for 43 to help bowl his side to a three-wicket win at Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers A. Earlier Rupert King made 58no for Mallards and Wanderers' Jonathan Bunting took four for 43.

Diss A skipper Tim Courridge (89no) steered his team to a nine-wicket win at home to Dereham A after Philip Banyard had made 63no for the visitors.

A high-scoring match at Hethersett & Tas Valley A saw the hosts claim a two-wicket win against Rocklands. Greg Mann (63) and Simon Mann (96) gave the visitors a commanding total, but Tim Couche (69no) and Steve Hayes (59) helped Tas overhaul it.

Karl Storey hit his second successive century for Lowestoft A in a winning draw at Garboldisham A in Division Six.

Storey scored 105 and Marcus Bishop added 58 before Robert Leech replied with 92 for Garboldisham.

Bradfield A remain 10 points clear at the top after Chris Scammell took four for 29 in a six-wicket win at Thetford A.

David Micklethwaite's unbeaten 114 guided Swardeston-CEYMS to an eight-wicket success at home to Mundford A after Cameron McIsaac hit 91no for the visitors.

Mattishall A stay second following an eight-wicket win at Saxlingham A and Beccles A were six-wicket victors against Topcroft A.