Overseas star Chad Bowes was in the runs again as Fakenham stretched their lead at the top of the Dipple and Conway Norfolk Alliance Premier Division to 33 points.

The 22-year-old South African all-rounder was in imperious form at Stow, putting on 200 for the first wicket with Luke Findlay (80) and going on to make an unbeaten 130 in a total of 216 for one.

Sadly for the visitors the overnight rain had taken time out of the game and they had to settle for 16 points from a winning draw as Stow finished on 127 for four.

Closest rivals Sprowston could only pick up six points as hosts Ashmanaugh and Barton Wanderers had the better of a drawn game, making 183-9 after winning an important toss and then reducing their visitors to 145-8.

Luke Caswell and Jon Ewart led Ashmanaugh's challenge with scores of 74 and 52 respectively before Caswell took 4-35 as Sprowston were forced to dig in at the end following the exit of Rob Purton for 49.

The performance of the day in the top flight came from Swardeston A, who did their hopes of avoiding the drop a power of good with a thumping 136-run victory over Diss.

The hosts batted solidly to make 213-6 at The Common, thanks largely to knocks of 94 from Freddie Ruffell and 55 from Tahmindul Islam, and then turned on the style with the ball to skittle the opposition out for just 77.

Three bowlers shared the wickets between them – Alex Levinson (4-20), Islam (3-11) and Matthew Taylor (3-12).

Defending champions Downham Town found some form with the bat to make 246 for two and had Cromer clinging on at 197 for nine at the end.

Downham's main men were Patrick Yates and Nick Kelly, who finished on 113 not out and 90 not out respectively while Kelly followed up with 4-45 as Cromer were forced to hold on.

Brooke meanwhile picked up 19 points to consolidate third position as some spectacular batting from overseas ace Mike Jones helped them to a six wicket win over Old Buckenham. In a 30-over game Jones scored an unbeaten 79 in 35 balls, with eight fours and five sixes, after the visitors had reached 119-9.

Only two matches beat the weather in Division One, and one of them saw Garboldisham win again to go 28 points clear at the top. The south Norfolk side had few problems seeing off Mattishall after reaching 219-7 (Henry Phoenix 83) and dismissing the home side for 166 (Robert Fuller 5-35).

Cameron Brown had a good day for Mattishall, making 57.

The bowlers were even more in charge at Dereham, who won by four wickets after dismissing bottom side Beccles for just 65. Jake Anema led the victory charge with figures of 4-16.

Great Melton had something to smile about at last on Saturday after finally recording their first win of the season in Division One.

They moved off the foot of the table, and to within a point of eighth-placed Fakenham A, after seeing off Old Buckenham A.

Melton bowled out the Bucks for 123, with Alex Rennie taking 4-24, and then kept their nerve to get home with three wickets in hand.

Promotion favourites Norwich A and Hethersett and Tas Valley are showing no signs of letting their standards slip.

Leaders Norwich won by five wickets after restricting Swardeston B to 209-7 while Hethersett bowled out Bradenham for 101 before coasting home by eight wickets.

There are new leaders in Division Three, with Brooke A taking over after they took advantage of another slip from early pace-setters Swaffham.

Brooke were too strong for Melton A, dismissing their hosts for 103 after making 161, while Swaffham lost to Downham A by four wickets after making 127-9 in a rain affected game.

Morning leaders Vauxhall Mallards dropped to second as their scheduled fixture at Hardingham was called off.

Division Four leaders Winterton won again, bowling out Garboldisham A for 114 after making 216 for seven, while Mundford remain well clear in second following an equally emphatic success.

They lost just four wickets in chasing down Old Catton's 161, with the in-form Robin Yates finishing unbeaten on 94.

There was a notable win for Hales and Loddon in Division Five as they successfully defended a modest total of 136 (Josh Pitcher 51) to beat Ashmanaugh and Barton Wanderers A by 21 runs.

It was different story altogether at Flordon where Hethersett and Tas Valley A bowled Mattishall A out for 56 and quickly wrapped up the win for the loss of just two wickets to move up to second in the table.