Downham Stow defeat North Runcton in Norfolk Alliance Premier Division derby

Downham Stow maintained the pressure on league leaders Fakenham with a crucial derby victory over North Runcton at the weekend.

Fakenham remain eight points clear at the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division summit going into the final six games of the season.

Downham Stow won the toss and elected to bat first at their A10 rivals.

North Runcton started well and bowled tight lines on a flat pitch. They were rewarded early when Ben Cootes picked up Freddy Fairey.

Will Denny and Elliot Santner slowly built a big partnership in the heat of the day and looked to be in complete control at 110 for 1.

North Runcton struck back in quick succession with the wickets of Will Denny for 54, Ben Wilcox for nine and Santner for 64.

This brought Finlay Wilcox and Keith Thomson to the crease. The pitch began to break up in the sun, which slowed the pitch and offered some turn to the slow bowlers.

Finlay and Keith slowly moved through the gears, providing a crucial partnership and a finishing act to get Downham Stow to a competitive 258 in their 50 overs.

Finlay Wilcox finished on a well-made 48.

The pick of the Runcton bowlers was off-spinner Jhedi Van Briesies with 3 for 46 off 10.

Downham Stow began their innings in the best possible manner, with an early run-out with sharp work by Otto Esse.

The pitch immediately began spinning with Addam Todd applying big pressure to North Runcton’s left handers. Addam Todd bowled seven overs up top and finished with figures of 1 for 10.

Downham Stow picked up regular wickets and halted North Runcton innings to 80 for 7.

In came Harry Lankfer. From his first ball he looked in fine touch middle balls into gaps.

After 15 balls he flicked a switch and cleared the boundary with ease. He targeted the shorter boundary hitting an amazing seven sixes in the space of eight overs.

He played an incredible innings and began to worry Downham Stow about a possible Runcton victory out of nowhere.

However, the Runcton party was spoiled just before Harry Lankfer reached his hundred when he was caught at long off for a wonderful 94 off 51 balls.

North Runcton were bowled out for 179 in the 39th over.

Sam Morgan the pick of Downham Stow’s bowlers returned figures of 4 for 16 off 6.3 overs, including the huge wicket of Harry Lankfer.