Matt Foster starred with both bat and ball for Alliance leaders Sprowston in a Premier Division thriller against Fakenham.

He scored 62 as the home team were bowled out for 180 and then took five wickets for 40. But it wasn't quite enough as, in an exciting finish, the visitors held on for a '90 per cent losing draw' on 171 for nine.

Steve Goldsmith cracked an unbeaten 104 as Vauxhall Mallards A beat Stow, Peter Free weighing in with 52 not out as Stow's 198 all out (Matt Hague 5-32) was overtaken with eight wickets to spare.

Dominc Matarazzo fell only three runs short of his century as second-placed Norwich lost by three wickets at home to North Runcton, whose Niyesh Liyanage made 67 out of a winning total of 238 for seven.

The top division's best bowling performance of the day came from Rob Tooke, who claimed six for 17 as Diss won by five wickets at Cromer.

Downham remain third despite losing at home to Old Buckenham, who dismissed their hosts for 130 before reaching the target with five wickets to spare.

Brooke continue to lead the way in Division One after winning by three wickets at Mattishall, who were bowled out for 127 with Jon Habershon taking five for 27.

Swardeston A are going strong in second place after bowling out their opponents for less than three figures for the second successive week.

Last week Bradfield were blitzed out for just 49. This week Horsford A did a bit better – but the result was much the same.

Swardeston amassed 240 for five with Jason Reynolds cracking 86. Jason Thelwell then took five for 17 as Horsford A were dismissed for just 78.

Meanwhile, Bradfield's Steve Bidewell scored 84 not out as his side bounced back by just missing out on victory against Dereham, who finished on 177 for nine chasing the home team's 195 for six.

With Lowestoft losing by five wickets at home to Acle (Tom Wilson 61 not out), Topcroft (210-9) moved into third place by crushing Acle (134) by 76 runs.

Hethersett & Tas Valley moved to the top of Division Two thanks to a couple of stunning individual performances against Norwich A.

First Paul Reeve cracked 140 in their total of 264 for six. Then Julian Emeny took six wickets for 35 as Norwich were skittled for 98.

The extra bonus points took Valley above previous leaders Great Melton, despite them also having a convincing win, against Downham A.

Great Melton had to settle for two batting bonus points after making 165 for six, though they proved equally devastating as their rivals with the ball, particularly Rob Sims, who claimed four wickets for just eight runs as Downham were bowled out for 86.

The division's biggest total of the weekend was Garboldisham's 272 for six against Swardeston B, built on a fine unbeaten 114 by Kristian Williams.

It wasn't enough for outright victory, however, as Swardeston hung at on 141 for eight thanks to Jon Olpin's 72.

In Division Three leaders Thetford suffered their first defeat – and the team who beat them took over top spot.

Liam Conroy (67) and Alex Dennis (69) helped Thetford to a total of 218 for six. But Great Witchingham A got there thanks to 121 from Sam Dacre and 52 from Will Rogers.

Best bowling of the weekend was Toby Fletcher's eight for 25 as Hardingham beat Garboldisham.

THE BEST OF THE REST

Division Two

Bradenham: Mike Taylor 52 not out

Fakenham: Paul Dungar 54

Saham Toney: Simon Mower 4-51, Andrew McGeorge 76.

DIVISION THREE

Old Buckenham A: Glen Meredith 4-35, Ben Mann 62 not out.

Swaffham: Michael Annakin 5-33, Jasper Payne 56 not out

DIVISION FOUR

Sheringham: Matt Hudson 112, Ryan Strurgess 57

Winterton: Danny Snowling 57 not out

DIVISION FIVE

Mattishall: Matt Balls 79, Mark Stokes 5-15

Norwich B: Keith Denton 85 not out

Thetford A: Simon Lewis 50

DIVISION SIX

Beccles A: Matt Lowe 7-21

Bradenham A: Marcus Evans 55

Bradfield A: Michael Reynolds 51

Old Catton: Paul Daynes 93

Saxlingham: Nick Pearce 5-34, David English 140.