Title-chasing Downham Town return to winning ways

Title-chasing Downham Town returned to winning ways on Saturday, beating Cromer by five wickets at the Memorial Field.

Downham won the toss and asked Cromer to bat on a wicket that had taken some rain during the week’s thunderstorms.

Town started well with the ball restricting Cromer to just 20 from the first 10 overs, with Gregory particularly miserly with the ball.

The Cromer opening pair batted sensibly however and puton 73 for the first wicket before the introduction of Chris Sharp saw Sutton caught at mid-wicket for 34.

Joss Stuart was the pick of the bowlers in the first half and although he came away wicketless his 10 overs for 34 were just what Town needed.

Dom Corbett bowled very well at the death to take 2 for 35 from his nine and restrict Cromer to 218.

Town started well with the bat with Alex Stuart flying to 31 before being caught at point.

Ian Harrison was able to carry on from where Stuart left off however, as he played brilliantly to make 74 on a tough pitch.

The ever-reliable Gould and Gregory made 32 and 29 apiece to get Town within reaching distance of the target.

As the rain clouds built there was a bit of a panic that the game may be curtailed.

But luckily they stayed away just long enough for Yates 17 not out and Addam Todd to finish the game with a six down the ground with eight balls to spare.

Town travel to the in-form Diss on Saturday.

Shire Foods MoM: Ian Harrison.

Elsewhere, Downham's nearest rivals Fakenham maintained their recent good form with an 86-run success against Old Buckenham.

A brilliant unbeaten 76 from John Ewart helped Fakenham reach almost 200 before David Coyle, Keegan Monahan-Fairlie and Yin Lo picked up two wickets each in the Old Buckenham reply.

There were defeats for both Stow and North Runcton to all but end their title aspirations.

Chasing 199 for victory against Acle, North Runcton, who were 78 for 2 and 101 for 3 at one stage, fell 17 runs short of their target.

Other than 40 from William Denny, Stow had little else to shout about in their clash against Diss.

Stow were dismissed for just 100 after Diss had posted 188 for 6 from their 50 overs.