Downham come of age

Downham Town are celebrating becoming Premier Division champions for the first time in their history.

Duncan Lanchester's side have led the way for most of the season and clinched the title with a winning draw at home to Vauxhall Mallards.

Lanchester said: "We've been top for a while and I think we've deserved it. We've won the most games and that reflects the way we play.

"We've been a young side for two or three years, but I think one or two have come of age by learning not to throw their wickets away and playing situations a bit better."

Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers do not have second place secured yet after their surprise

five-wicket defeat at bottom club Brooke.

Wanderers could still be caught by Cromer, who shared equal points with Topcroft on Saturday.

Cromer made 252 all out, with four wickets for David Fuller, before Topcroft responded with 234 for six, Geoffrey Toyana making 71 and Rayno Arendse claiming four for 46.

At the bottom, resurgent Acle moved out of the drop zone after picking up their fourth successive win, at home to relegation rivals Beccles. Beccles were bowled out for 120 and in a tense run chase, Acle lost eight wickets - Luke Caswell claiming three for 19 - but Rob Porter's 31 helped them seal a crucial victory.

North Runcton stay fourth after easing to a

six-wicket win at Old Buckenham.

Lowestoft are champions of Division One after they picked up a winning draw at home to Diss.

Needing eight points to seal the title, Lowestoft collected five batting points for their total of 203 for nine, with Karl Storey hitting 63 and Nathan Garrod making 62. And the celebrations started as the sixth Diss wicket fell, handing Lowestoft their eighth point, before the visitors finished on 137 for eight.

Swardeston are favourites to finish runners-up after beating Norwich by two wickets. Mark Tipping made 106no for Norwich in their 184 for four, but an unbeaten 59 from Swardeston number eight Richard Dolding helped his side to victory.

The battle between Stow and Saham Toney to avoid relegation will go down to the wire after both sides were beaten on Saturday.

Saham lost by 15 runs at bottom side Kirkley, who posted 154 for eight, with 45 from Richard Turrell. Marcus Bishop then took five for 30 to help bowl Saham out for 139.

That leaves them three points behind Stow, who were beaten by five wickets at Sprowston.

Saham Toney host Mattishall on the final day, while Stow are at home to Lowestoft.

A stunning all-round display from New Zealander James Mitchell was not enough to secure victory for Mattishall, who had a 90pc losing draw at home to Saxlingham.

Mitchell took four for 50 in Saxlingham's 198 and he then blasted 124 in the Mattishall reply. But his team-mates' collective contribution added to extras was just 55 runs and Mattishall scraped to 179 for nine - 90pc of their target - to take a greater share of the points. Danny Williams (four for 40) and Neil Forsdick (four for 33) did the damage for Saxlingham.