Phil Banyard Norfolk Alliance Divisions Premier, One and Two: Downham showed the dogged spirit of champions as they emerged victorious after Cromer had threatened to halt their long unbeaten run.Duncan Lanchester's side have not lost in the league since August 2008, but that looked set to change as they fell to 123 for nine, chasing a victory target of 162.Phil Banyard

Downham showed the dogged spirit of champions as they emerged victorious after Cromer had threatened to halt their long unbeaten run.

Duncan Lanchester's side have not lost in the league since August 2008, but that looked set to change as they fell to 123 for nine, chasing a victory target of 162.

Crucially, New Zealander Kurt Richards remained at the crease and he raised Downham's hopes by hitting two sixes, before steering them home, alongside last man David Grady.

Dom Tulett had earlier fired a half-century for Downham, while Joss Stuart took five for 42 for the champions.

Downham stay top, with Vauxhall Mallards A in second after their 52-run win at Lowestoft, which came in spite of Nathan Garrod's five for 26 for the hosts.

Sean Hemeter hit an unbeaten 55 for North Runcton, but Diss went close to matching their total to claim a 90pc losing draw.

Scott Hayes' excellent all-round display helped Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers beat Brooke by 21 runs.

Hayes made 49no for Wanderers and Petrus Johannes Van Biljon added 67, before Hayes returned figures of four for 53 with the ball. Rahul Dewan made 67 for Brooke.

Paul Munford hit 68 and Hugo Nel claimed five for 33 as Acle dominated their winning draw against Old Buckenham.

In Division One, Dale Reynolds took five for 36 and contributed a crucial 24 with the bat in a low-scoring match as Swardeston A scraped to a one-wicket win over Beccles.

Sprowston stay top after Jon Leverett fired 59 in their three-wicket win at Stow. Keith Thomson (88no) and Tom High (66) had provided the bulk of the hosts' runs.

Dave Reeder set Topcroft up for a five-wicket victory at Sheringham with bowling figures of four for 18 and David King's four for 34 could not save the home side.

Bradenham's Brett Gates demolished Hales, taking five for 23 before his side wrapped up a nine-wicket cruise.

Bradfield won by two wickets in a high-scoring encounter at Norwich A.

Jake Anema's brilliant unbeaten century was not quite enough for Dereham to pull off an unlikely victory at Division Two leaders Mattishall, who came away with a

30-run win.

Gordon Chetwood (62no), Ben Bourke (78no) and Jay Eastoe-Smith (63) allowed Mattishall to declare with a massive total, but Anema's 114no put Dereham on course before a flurry of late wickets.

Kevin Cooper's 63 proved in vain as Swardeston B lost to Saham Toney by four wickets. Will Dyer (four for 26) and A McGeorge (60) were Saham's key performers.

Saxlingham picked up maximum points at Garboldisham, thanks to Anthony Pearson's 90 and William Burnell's four for 46. Otis Ingrams hit 85 for the home side.

New Zealander Jarred Cunningham made 85 as Downham A racked up a huge total against Hillington. Tony Dobing's four wickets costs 77 runs amid the carnage, before Hillington responded well with the bat, Mark Osbourne hitting 71 and Dobing adding 56 as they comfortable batted out for a losing draw.

Fakenham A were too strong for bottom side North Runcton A in a nine-wicket thrashing.