Dereham turned another excellent all-round performance to record a sixth successive win in Division One of the Cecil Amey Opticians Norfolk Alliance.

After opening their campaign with a couple of defeats Duncan Hewitt's side are now second in the table, 26 points behind leaders Diss with a game in hand.

Hewitt made 113 and Jonny Bidwell 54 as Dereham reached an impressive 273-7 in their 50 overs against visitors Lowestoft, who have been showing some decent form of late.

The total proved to be more than enough, with the visitors being dismissed for 171 in reply (Jake Anema 4-34).

Diss went marching on at the top as they saw off Norwich A by five wickets while closest morning rivals Swardeston A were suffering a surprise defeat at bottom side Mattishall.

Martin Greiller and Tom Goodley both made half centuries in Norwich's total of 221-9 which was chased down with some ease by Diss thanks in no small part to an excellent 95 from David Tooke.

Swardeston got up to 231 against Mattishall, with Norfolk player Matthew Taylor making 81, but again it wasn't enough as Ryan Hawkins (78) and Jason Cole (66 not out) starred in an impressive run chase that saw the home side finish on 234-6 in the 42nd over.

The top individual scoring feat of the weekend came in the match at Bradfield where Stow's Keith Thompson made a magificent unbeaten 173.

That helped the visitors up to a daunting 338-3, with Bradfield being skittled out for 116 in reply (Pete Brassett 4-30).

Premier Division leaders Cromer made it six wins in eight games when they saw off bottom side Sprowston by 74 runs at the Norton Warnes Ground.

Matthew Warnes made 100 and the in-form David Turner 65 in a total of 269-8 which was too much for the visitors who were bowled out for 195 (Sam Hales 65, Michael Warnes 4-15).

Champions Brooke are now second after beating Fakenham by one wicket in a real thriller at Highfield Lawn.

Fakenham made 246-9, with youngster Harry Bammant batting from start to finish for 116, while Brooke edged home off the final ball of the 47th over with last pair John Habershon and Sam Hardesty at the crease (Gary Chirimuuta 52, Sam Clabburn 50, Matt Collinge 45, Steve Earl 4-42).

Addam Todd scored 156 for Downham from No 6 as they made 323-8 before bowling out North Runcton for 172.