FRANKLY DIGITAL NORFOLK ALLIANCE DIVISIONS PREMIER, ONE & TWO: Fakenham finally tasted defeat in the Premier Division on Saturday as they lost by 22 runs at Diss – and Sprowston seized their chance to close the gap at the top to 37 points.

Ben Spinks and Chris Cooper both made 45 for Diss, while Rudi Hillermann claimed a hat-trick for Fakenham to restrict the hosts to 170. James Shepherd (three for 24) and Rob Tooke (three for 34) then helped Diss become the first team to bowl Fakenham out in the league this year.

Second met third as Sprowston hosted Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers, with Iain Murrell (41) and Tim Hales guiding the home side out of trouble after they were 34 for three. Scott Hayes bagged five for 37 for Wanderers, who gained an extra over in their innings after bowling Sprowston out. That proved crucial as Sprowston took the final wicket from the penultimate ball of that extra over to win by 50 runs. Will Hampson took three for 17 for Sprowston.

Downham moved up to third after chasing down a big target at home to North Runcton. Australian Simon McInerney hammered 137 to put Runcton in charge, but Downham had half-centuries from Dom Tulett (87), Patrick Yates (86) and PJ Cairns (58) as they won by five wickets.

A brilliant all-round display from Steve Goldsmith condemned bottom of the table Stow to an 81-run defeat at home to Vauxhall Mallards. The ex-Derbyshire and Kent all-rounder made 95 and took five for 33, while Joe Larter hit 109 for Mallards.

Lowestoft recorded a vital 144-run win against Cromer to move clear of their relegation rivals. Karl Storey (55) top scored for Lowestoft, before Peter Sims took four for 56 as Cromer crumbled.

In Division One, Tom Banham fired 106, James Heaney added 58no and Robbie Austin took six for 28 as Old Buckenham stayed top with a 150-run win against Mattishall.

Second-placed Acle also gained maximum points with a 135-run win at Bradfield, courtesy of starring roles from Geoff Handley (75), Rob Porter (59) and Jon Lee (five for 29).

Saphie Herathge and Robbie Bridgstock both made 60 as Swardeston A moved up to third with a six-wicket win at home to Topcroft. Brothers Dale (three for 34) and Jason (three for 38) Reynolds did the damage with the ball for Swardeston.

Chris Binnie (77), Olly Higenbottam (75) and Ali Horsley (60) helped Norwich A chase down a big target against fellow strugglers Saxlingham, to win by four wickets and move out of the relegation zone.

Hales & Loddon dropped into the bottom two after their losing draw at home to Bradenham. Lewis Denmark made 66 for the visitors, while Brett Stolworthy top scored with 95no. Rob Anderson made 55 in the Hales reply, but Chad Balluza restricted them with figures of four for 35.

Dereham openers Duncan Hewitt (85) and David Lake (74no) guided the Division Two leaders towards maximum points against Downham A.

That stretched their lead to 16 points after Garboldisham claimed a 90pc losing draw at home to second-placed Hethersett & Tas Valley. Matthew Ellis made 55 for Tas, with Garboldisham's Pascal Walker hitting 60.

Horsford A's challenge fell away as they were beaten by four wickets at Fakenham. Jamie Heyburn scored 63 for the visitors, while Fakenham's Yin Lo bagged four for 42 and although Alex Lincoln took four for 40 in the Fakenham reply, the hosts reached their target.

Hillington's Ashley Jarvis claimed four for 46 to steer his side to a 21-run victory against Beccles, despite Richard Turrell making 61.

Saham Toney's Simon Mower enjoyed a fine day with bat and ball as his side picked up a much needed 126-run win at bottom side Sheringham. Mower hit 107 and then took four for 41, while Bruno Norman added 70no as Saham gave themselves a survival lifeline.