Norfolk skipper Chris Brown turned on the style as Horsford won only their second game of the campaign.

The spin bowler took six wickets during Saturday's 120-run derby win against Norwich – a victory which provides a major boost to Horsford's hopes of avoiding relegation.

The basement boys went into the clash 27 points adrift of Woolpit but that gap now stands at just five, with just four games to go, after the morale-boosting triumph.

Top-half Norwich arrived at Manor Park as clear favourites to add further points to their East Anglian Premier League tally. But they could add only four as one of their county rivals chalked up a massive 30 in what was a dominant display.

The hosts kept the score moving along at a decent rate of knots with Robbie Bridgstock adding 58 to his side's total. A run-a-ball 28 from number 10 Darren Smith helped ensure that 235 was the required total for victory.

Norwich put themselves in a decent position to chase it down with Oliver Higenbottam and William Rogers adding 85 for the opening wicket. But when the former was stumped by Smith, off the bowling of Ryan Findlay, things started to unravel quickly.

From 85-1, Brown turned the screw to remove Rogers, Ashley Watson – who took 4-48 with the ball – Sanjay Mishra and Yathesraj Kailainathan to leave Norwich teetering on 107-6. Findlay soon sent Sean McCabe and Jason Blake packing as Horsford smelt blood.

And it was Brown who finished the job by ending Sam Pointer's defiant 29-ball stay of execution – which saw him score just a single run – and trapping Tyron Cook for a duck. The county captain's figures of 6-31 said it all, but Findlay's 4-29 proved it was far from a one-man show as Horsford improved their chances of climbing out of trouble.

Great Witchingham ensured they were not sucked deeper into the scrap for survival by easing to a seven-wicket home success against Frinton-on-Sea.

Brenton McDonald took 5-56 as the visitors to Walcis Park made 243 all out. Sam Arthurton, another Norfolk player enjoying a day to remember, scored more than half of that total on his own as the Witches got the job done.

The opener's outstanding knock saw him carry his bat for a stunning 136 – which came off just 128 balls and included 18 fours and three sixes. McDonald guided him across the line with an impressive half-century of his own to cap a great afternoon's work from himself.

Vauxhall Mallards, third, did table-toppers Swardeston a huge favour by ensuring their slip-up was not punished. While the leaders suffered a rare defeat at Burwell, the side directly below them in the table, Cambridge Granta, were absolutely embarrassed at Mallards.

Set 234, Granta were skittled for just 49 as Mallards – 13 points off second spot – shared the wickets out.

Swardeston had no answer to Joseph Tetley's unbeaten 183 as Burwell made a huge declaration of 400-5. Joe Gatting (66) led the way but the figure was always likely to be out of reach with the champions falling 156 runs short.