Alliance newcomers Denver looked completely at home in their new surroundings as they opened their Division Six campaign with a thumping 210-run win over Topcroft A.

The former Norfolk League big-guns amassed 303-5 in their 45 overs after being given a superb start by openers James Harper and Paul Morton, who put on 181 for the first wicket.

Morton went on to make 84 and Harper an unbeaten 136 in just 115 balls, and it was one-way traffic after that as Martyn Wardle (4-23) starred in a ruthless bowling effort.

The other big scorers at the weekend were another side from the west of the county, who came up in 2015 and quickly moved up to Division Five last summer.

Hockwold got up to 300-3 against Mattishall A as Ant Ruddick (132 not out) and Roy Bland (81) got down to work and then saw the game out by dismissing the opposition for 146.

Up in Division Two Ashmanhaugh and Barton Wanderers had something to smile about at last after suffering two successive relegations to drop down to the third tier of the Alliance.

Jordan Everett was run out for 97 in a Wanderers total of 252 and that proved more than enough as a side captained by former Norfolk skipper Paul Newman were bowled out for 131 (Cameron Marrable 4-16, Jordan Everett 4-14).

Beccles also made a strong start, with Rob Porter's 84 helping them to a 97-run win over visitors Bradenham, who were skittled out for 123 as Stuart Watkins took 3-18.

Relegated Topcroft lost to Swaffham by 15 runs despite an opening partnership of 106 between Greg Roston (58) and Harry Windridge (57). They were eventually all out for 214 chasing a total of 229-8 that featured a knock of 77 from No 7 Ryan Bradbury and 52 from Jasper Payne.

There was a notable batting display in Division Three as Winterton's Wesley Noble-Parker got close to a century despite his side only chasing a target of 120 to win after dismissing hosts North Runcton A cheaply.

Noble-Parker was unbeaten on 90, featuring 16 fours, when stumps were drawn, with Ryan Edmonds' unbeaten nine the next highest score in a nine-wicket success. Danny Snowling had earlier taken 4-15.