New professional Gary Chirimuuta stood centre stage in spectacular fashion as Brooke got their season back on track after a humiliating defeat.

The young Zimbawbean scored a superb unbeaten century as the defending Premier Division champions beat visitors Sprowston by 158 runs.

Brooke needed a response after being bowled out for just 67 by Garboldisham the previous weekend and they got it as Chirimuuta's 145 not out in 85 balls, featuring 10 fours and 10 sixes, helped them all the way up to 345-6 in their 50 overs.

Matt Collinge (65), Dan Vihm (43) and Rob Panter (42) played the supporting roles while skipper John Habershon took 4-31 as Sprowston were dismissed for 187.

Brooke are now third in the table, tucked in just behind Downham with Cromer 21 points clear at the top after a crushing win over Horsford A.

The newly-promoted side were bowled out for just 72, with Michael Warnes, Devon Singh-Parhar, Rob Purton and Chris Carey all taking two wickets, and the paltry total was chased down in the 13th over. David Turner (36 not out) was there at the end as Cromer won by eight wickets.

Downham also got home with something to spare against new boys Acle, who have now lost twice on the trot after winning their first two. Ian Harrison impressed with both bat and ball, taking 3-21 as Acle struggled to 108-8 in a 35-over game and then making an unbeaten 37 in a seven-wicket success.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Old Buckenham as their game at Fakenham was abandoned when an away win looked on the cards. Chasing a total of 160-8, the Bucks had reached 112-3 in 34 overs when the rain came.

Bradfield's superb start to the season following promotion from Division Two continued when they cruised past a struggling Mattishall side by eight wickets.

They bowled their visitors out for just 99 and then got home in some comfort, with Chris Scannell getting a half century. They are now 19 points clear of Thetford, who were denied a chance of notching a fourth straight win of their own when their game at Stow was abandoned.

Dereham edged home against Diss by two runs after successfully defending 135 (James Harbour 4-37).