The leading trio in the Norfolk Alliance are covered by just two points after all three won at the weekend.

With bonus points likely to be a deciding factor Downham were able to leap from third to first by virtue of batting first in their crushing of Diss.

Addam Todd (68), Patrick Yates (86no) and Brenton Wright (66) helped them to 270-7 before the home side were dismissed for 90, giving the men from West Norfolk a 180-run win and a maximum 25 points haul.

Morning leaders Sprowston were just happy with the win after completing a great run chase to beat Vauxhall Mallards A by three wickets.

Veterans Carl Amos and Steve Goldsmith rolled back the years for Mallards with 115 not out and 46 respectively – Matt Hague (38) also playing his part in a total of 258-2.

Despite 76 from Matt Foster the target looked a long way off at 114-4 and 181-7 until an unbroken eighth wicket stand of 81 between Sam Hales (37 from 58 balls) and Geoff Roff (38 from 24) saw Sprowston win with just over three overs to spare.

Norwich are a point behind the top two after also winning by three wickets at Old Buckenham.

Australian Marcus Glenister (81) was responsible for more than half of the home team's 151, and Norwich reached their target off 39.2 overs led by Frankie Sutton (34), Tom Goodley (32) and Chris Borrett (31).

It was also a good day for another Aussie, Fakenham skipper Keegan Monahan-Fairlie, whose 89, coupled with Luke Findlay's 78, helped his team overhaul Ashmanhaugh & Barton Wanderers' 232-8 with six wickets to spare. Craig Beedon hit 70 for Wanderers, who are now 17 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Malcolm Cloete returned a haul of 7-24 as Cromer dismissed Stow for 110 after making 156-9.

The title race is almost as tight in Division One with leading trio covered by three points.

Swardeston A are the new leaders after winning a low-scoring match against Horsford A. They had a late 41 from Uzal Hussain to thank for their total of 152, but it proved plenty as Horsford A were shot out for 88 with Jason Reynolds taking 4-14.

Previous leaders Brooke lost by three wickets to Mattishall, who remain fourth but only eight points behind the table-toppers. Mattishall reached Brooke's 199 (John Reynolds 68, Ed Sturman 54, Nathan Gostling 4-29) thanks to Gordon Chetwood (83no) and despite Tom Nudd's 5-40.

Second-placed Lowestoft Town won by six wickets at Acle. Daniel Edwin took 5-54 as Acle were bowled out for 177. Nathon Garrod (47) led the chase.

There are new leaders in Division Two following Garboldisham's 54-run defeat to bottom of the table Swardeston B. Jon Olpin (100) and Alex Levinson (109) both scored centuries as Swardeston made 266-9 before dismissing the morning table-toppers for 212.

Second-placed Hethersett & Tas Valley also lost, to Norwich A, whose Sanjay Mishra made 56 out of 171-7 after Ashan Bandaranayake (4-28) helped dismiss the visitors for 167.

Great Melton took advantage by winning by seven wickets at Downham A to leap to the top of the table.

Adie Woods earned Saham Toney a losing draw with an unbeaten 102 after Steve Piper (53) had led Fakenham A to 254-7.

Olly Browne's 6-78 could not stop Bradenham making 279-9 against Saxlingham with Johnny Bidewell making 79 and Kevin Stagles 70. But David Lacey's 57 helped Saxlingham hang on at 172-8.

Chris Fuller made 140 out of 263-3 as Bungay won by 58 runs at Hales & Loddon in Division Four, Chris Read (74) top-scoring for the hosts.

It helped them leap up to third and close the gap on leaders Great Witchingham A, who had to settle for a losing draw against Thetford.

Swaffham were destroyed by North Runcton A's Darren Cubbitt (5-14) and Ben Skipper (4-44) as they lost by eight wickets after being bowled out for 71.

Jack Pearse brought some cheer for bottom club Great Melton A in Division Four as his 103 helped them to a 97-run win over Winterton.

At the other end of the table leaders Hardingham lost by five wickets at Garboldisham A, whose Harry Youngson (91) led their run chase after Brendan Scott (55) had anchored the away team's 225-5.

In Division Six Old Catton's Paul Daynes (114no) and Jake Fossey (104) made tons in a 61-runs win over Diss while David England made 114 for Saxlingham against Bradfield A.