Lovewell Blake Norfolk Alliance: Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers moved into pole position for the East Anglian Premier League play-offs as they beat Alliance Premier Division leaders Downham.

Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers moved into pole position for the East Anglian Premier League play-offs as they beat Alliance Premier Division leaders Downham.

Although Wanderers are still 35 points behind the top side, Downham have already ruled themselves out of promotion and if they go on to win the title, the play-off place will be offered to the runners-up.

With North Runcton suffering a shock defeat against bottom side Acle on Saturday, Wanderers are now well-placed to claim at least second spot and they have confirmed they would be interested in trying to win promotion to the EAPL.

Nigel Youngs was the star of their win on Saturday, as he hit 64 in their total of 220 for seven and then claimed six for 40 to help bowl Downham out for 133.

Runcton posted 175 for seven against Acle, but that was not enough to prevent the strugglers picking up their first win of the season as they recorded a six-wicket victory.

Acle are now six points behind Brooke, who had a losing draw in a run fest at home to Vauxhall Mallards. Simon Durrant made 96 and Steve Goldsmith hit 91 as Mallards piled on a massive 326 for eight, with Chris Banham claiming four for 89.

Ali Shearer then made 64 for Brooke, who responded with 244 for nine.

Old Buckenham claimed a 90pc losing draw at home to Cromer. The visitors posted 193 for four before Buckenham replied with 180 for nine.

Topcroft took a winning draw against Beccles, who made 188 for eight in response to Topcroft's 229 for eight.

It seems to be all about second place in Division One, where Lowestoft now hold a 45-point lead with four games remaining.

They enjoyed a 36-run win at home to local rivals Kirkley & Lowestoft Railway as Peter Sims starred with bat and ball. Sims made 54 in Lowestoft's 162 for seven and he then took five for 30 as Kirkley were dismissed for 126 to remain bottom of the table.

Mattishall stay second after claiming a winning draw at one of their rivals for the runners-up spot, Swardeston.

New Zealander James Mitchell hit 72 in Mattishall's 201 for eight, with Darin Goodrum claiming three for 48.

Nick Foster made 35 for Swardeston, but Keith Hubbard picked up three for 21 to restrict the hosts to 155 for seven.

Norwich are eight points behind Mattishall after their winning draw at home to Sprowston. After Norwich had set 233 for eight, Sprowston closed on 203 for eight.

Stow eased their relegation fears with an 18-run victory over Saxlingham. Zaheer Abisis top scored with 47 as Stow made 143 all out and although David Adams hit 42 for Saxlingham, they were bowled out for 125.

Saham Toney's recent revival came grinding to a halt in their

seven-wicket defeat at Diss. Will Dyer's 37 allowed Saham Toney to make 146 for seven, while Robbie Tooke claimed three for 15. But that target posed few problems for Diss as James Worby hit 47.