Norwich battled their way to a third consecutive Premier Division victory as they won by three wickets at Downham.

Australian Harry Evans hit 95 for the hosts with Aaron Watson continuing his fine form for Norwich with four for 43.

Half-centuries from another Aussie, Nathan Shearer (53) and Ben Wright (53no) saw Norwich home in the 46th over.

Fakenham kept pace with the leaders after a 138-run win at home to Stow, with Luke Findlay hitting 69 and Ian Slegg, pictured, taking six for 23.

The overseas players took centre stage in a close encounter between Lowestoft and Ashmanhaugh & Barton Wanderers.

Ruan Du Plessis fired 145 for Lowestoft, while Wanderers' Hendro Puchert claimed five for 51. Puchert then made 127no as Wanderers finished 11 runs short of victory for a 90pc losing draw.

Sprowston's Andy Hanby bagged five for 26, but his side were denied outright victory at North Runcton, who closed with nine wickets down, 22 runs shy of Sprowston's total. Runcton's Jack Redhead earlier took four for 51.

Australian Paul Donovan (88) was the mainstay of the Old Buckenham innings against struggling Acle, and Andy Lawrence then claimed four for 34 as Bucks won by 76 runs. Charlie Harkness' haul of five for 34 was the highlight for Acle.

Batsmen prospered at Brundall, where Diss set a big target thanks to David Tooke (79) and Robbie Tooke (50). Tom Brice (four for 42) and James Ing (four for 49) were Vauxhall Mallards A's top bowlers.

Peter Free (70) and Simon Potger (56) helped the hosts also pass 200, but they were restricted to a losing draw by James Wilby (four for 41).

In Division One, morning leaders Bradenham were rolled out for just 55 by Swardeston A, with Josh Chatland taking five for nine. Swardeston then eased to an eight-wicket win in the 12th over.

Horsford A took over top spot after a five-wicket triumph against Norwich A, James Leck scoring 62no.

Neil Irons fired 117 to lead Dereham to a big total at home to Topcroft, but the visitors managed a 90pc losing draw as James Goodfellow made 67.

Quickfire centuries from John Habershon (111no from 80 balls) and Rob Panter (100no, 69 balls) set up Brooke's 143-run win over Cromer.

They featured in a third wicket stand of 216 before Habershon (four for 22) also shone with the ball to wrap up victory.

Jay Eastoe-Smith's 65 helped Mattishall earn a 90pc losing draw at Bradfield, who had an innings of 70 from Ed Botwright.

Swardeston B lead the way in Division Two following a seven-wicket win at Hales & Loddon. Rob Micklethwaite took four for 32 for the visitors and Rob Ebbage hit 66.

Jack Gould made 106no for Downham A, but it was not enough to stop Great Melton overhauling their total, thanks to the efforts of Richard Wood (83) and Dave Allum (92no).

Luke Newton (58no) steered Saham Toney to a seven-wicket win at morning leaders Beccles.

Saxlingham won by 39 runs at Hethersett & Tas Valley.

Acle A moved clear at the top of Division Three after romping to a 10-wicket victory against Dersingham.

Paul Munford hit 76no for Acle after Ali Poll (69) had fired a half-century for Dersingham.

James Page hammered 117 for Great Witchingham A, but Hardingham hit back to claim a 90pc winning draw, Chris Sparkes (60no) top scoring.

Swaffham's maximum points win over North Runcton A moved them up to second, Mark Eagle making 78no and then taking four for 32.

John Glozier hit 71 in Sprowston A's winning draw against Sheringham.

In Division Four, Hethersett & Tas Valley A were bowled out for just 45 in a 10-wicket defeat at Winterton, with John Allen (four for 16) doing the damage for the home side.

Marcus Bishop's figures of five for 38 set up Kirkley & Lowestoft Railway's first win of the season as they beat Ashmanhaugh & Barton Wanderers A by eight wickets.

In Division Five, Mattishall A's Mark Stokes starred with bat and ball to send his side to the top of the table. He made 86 and then took five for 10 in a 158-run win over Brooke A.

Simon Mann (100) was a centurion for Rocklands as they crushed Norwich B by 278 runs.

Swardeston CEYMS narrowly failed to complete a clean sweep of league victories for the club on Saturday at home to Bradenham A.

The hosts posted 243 for seven with captain Tom Snelling hitting 63 and Kevin Cooper adding 61. In reply Bradenham posted 177 for nine with Peter Hills scoring 49. Cooper took four for 17.

Simon Lewis hit an unbeaten 122 for Thetford A as they claimed top spot in Division Six with a hard-fought 21-run win against Old Catton.

Best of the rest

Division Three

Great Witchingham A: Anthony Goodrum 50

Hardingham: Brendan Scott 54

North Runcton A: Karl Barber 67

Swaffham: Wayne Hardy 58

Division Four

Bungay: Tom York 74

Great Melton A: Lee Whiddett 60

Mundford: Robin Yates 52, Keiron Long 53no

Narborough: Matthew Coe 50no

Division Five

Brooke A: Clive Bennett 4-65

Mattishall A: Keith Hubbard 4-9

Division Six

Bradfield A: Sam Kimber 4-20

Diss A: Barnaby Chenery 63

Old Catton: Robert Loone 83

Saxlingham A: David English 53

Topcroft A: Andy Adcock 80no