Leverett’s ton-up delight

FRANKLY DIGITAL NORFOLK ALLIANCE DIVISIONS PREMIER, ONE & TWO: A sparkling 127 from John Leverett kept Premier Division newcomers Sprowston flying high in third place.

Leverett topscored in a 265-9 total which proved way beyond the means of rock-bottom Stow, who were left hanging on grimly for a losing draw at 194-9. Keith Skinner took 5 for 56 for Stow.

Unbeaten leaders Fakenham made light work of their latest Premier Division test as they swept aside Cromer to clock up their seventh win on the trot. An unbeaten 74 from Steve Gray and 48 from Ben Harvey secured a seven-wicket success after Cromer were dismissed for 149.

Ben Christensen hit 133 for second-placed Norwich and Coltishall Wanderers in a winning draw against Lowestoft. Glen Addicott's 114 paved the way for Vauxhall Mallards A to pass North Runcton's 267 score, which included half centuries from Peter Coote and Simon McInerney, with five wickets in hand. James Ing and Steve Goldsmith had earlier shared eight wickets for Mallards.

Half centuries from Craig Press and Dave Huggins helped unbeaten Division One leaders Acle to reach their 177 victory target with seven wickets intact against bottom-of-the table Saxlingham for whom Dave Adams hit an unbeaten 51 .

Andy Lawrence took five for 25 as Old Buckenham kept the pressure on in second place restricting Bradenham to 134-7 after setting them a 186 victory target. Lewis Denmark contributed a defiant unbeaten 66 for Bradenham

Dale Reynolds (4-28) and Robbie Micklethwaite (4-36) did the damage as Swardeston dismissed Hales for 112 before securing a six-wicket success.

An outstanding all -round show from Bradfield's Alex Kimber, who scored 54 and took 4-39, could not prevent defeat at Mattishall. Looking to overhaul Mattishall's 219, which included 50 from Jay Eastoe Smith, Bradfield fell seven runs short in an exciting game.

Norwich A secured their second win of the season against high-flying Topcroft whose 252-5 total featured an unbeaten 96 from James Goodfellow.

Horsford A's Ben Watson took 5 for 45 and scored 62 to keep his side flying high at the top of Division Two.

After Garboldisham had posted 170 Horsford won with five wickets in hand.

Bruno Norman hit 70 in Saham Toney's 225-7 total but could not prevent Hillington from scoring their first win of the campaign.

Richard Turrell hit 72 but Beccles failed to chase down a 233 victory target set by third-placed Hethersett and Tas Valley.

Downham A's Jack Gould hit an unbeaten 62 in a 248 total but his side was foiled by a rearguard action by Sheringham who clung on for a draw with the last pair at the wicket. Sam Sexton took 4 for 33 as the seasiders reached 140-9 at the close.

Title-chasing Dereham kept the pressure on the leaders beating derby rivals Fakenham A by three wickets, with Duncan Hewitt contributing a vital 44.