Downham Town captain Duncan Lanchester is refusing to get carried away after his side hammered last season's Norfolk Alliance Premier Division runners-up Sprowston by 111 runs on Saturday.

Downham, who finished third last season after winning a record-breaking four titles in a row, moved up to second thanks to a convincing victory.

Alex Stuart hit an unbeaten 125 and Harry Evans pitched in with 61 as their side bowled Sprowston all out for 124 in reply.

However, despite the morale-boosting triumph – to a team they lost to twice last campaign – Lanchester is keeping his feet on the ground.

Downham's veteran skipper said: 'Alex battled away early and once he's in he's hard to bowl against.

'He's capable of getting 100s regularly and now he's getting older he picks which balls to play or leave better than he did.

'Harry showed some real class and he was never beaten outside his off stump. We did fairly well to get 235 as there are no proper batting pitches around yet – as you can see from the low scores in the league.

'But I certainly won't be getting carried away. It's early days and it's a long season. There's still a long way to go.

'We've got some really hard games coming up so we'll see where we are in a few weeks.'

Downham host table-toppers Norwich on Saturday.

Fellow West Norfolk Alliance Premier side North Runcton continued their fine start to the campaign at the weekend with a tidy five-wicket victory over Ashmanhaugh & Barton Wanderers.

Young talent Kieran Bunting (4-16), captain Andrew Barrett (3-18) and Ben Coote (2-24) were Runcton's key wicket takers on the way to their side's second win in as many games this season.

After slipping to 25-4 in reply, an excellent partnership of 64 between Mark Skipper (37 not out) and Anthony Dobing (36) helped Runcton on their way to success.

Barrett's fourth-placed charges welcome Sprowston at the weekend while bottom-side Stow, who lost by seven wickets to Vauxhall Mallards A on Saturday, look to pick up their first win of the campaign at Fakenham.

In the West Norfolk League, reigning Division One champions Denver were given a scare as newcomers Hospital fell two runs short in a nail-biting contest.

Terrington's Jason Young continued his stunning early-season form by smashing 93 as Terrington hit 185-8 against Hayley East Anglia.

Man of the match Adam Hodgson, who also scored a half-century, then took 5-15 as Terrington skittled Hayley for just 90.

Pace-setters Sandringham beat Castle Rising by just two runs to stay ahead of Terrington, who are two points ahead of third-placed Denver. Sandringham welcome Terrington in the game of the season so far on Saturday while Denver host mid-table Castle Rising.

Division Two leaders Castle Acre host Swaffham A, Division Three table-toppers Heacham welcome Snettisham A while Division Four pace-setters Dersingham A entertain Beeston A.