Battling Downham maintain lead at top of Norfolk Alliance table

Downham came through a close encounter with Brooke on Saturday to maintain their small 16-point lead at the top of the Alliance Premier Division table.

After being asked to bat first on a pitch that was doing a bit for the bowlers, Downham lost a couple of early wickets and were soon 22 for 3.

Pat Yates and Harrison Gregory steadied the ship before the latter fell to the bowling of Habershon, who took 3 for 38.

Yates and Australian Nathan Green took the score past 100 before Yates fell for 43.

The momentum changed at that point, however, as Green and Addam Todd (14) counter-attacked the Brooke bowlers.

Green batted superbly for 67 with two notable maximums down the ground.

He was supported brilliantly by Joss Stuart who made 31 off just 25 balls at the end to get Downham to a competitive score of 219 for 8 at tea.

Downham knew they needed to bowl well and Harrison Gregory led from the front, his first three overs being maidens, getting Brooke behind the rate early on.

Gregory picked up the first of his three wickets, caught-behind in his seventh over.

Brooke then had a good partnership of 91 between Drinkwell and Setchell before a mix-up in the running let Harrison Gregory swoop in to run-out the former for 45.

By this point the run rate required was up at six-an-over and proved to be a tough ask for the Brooke batsmen.

Young Rob Hooton came on to bowl a match winning spell, taking the crucial wicket of Setchell for 58 as Downham put the squeeze on.

Todd found his rhythm from the other end, taking two wickets in two balls including Brooke’s overseas player.

Although it was tight until the end, Town were always in front and Joss Stuart was there to bowl the final over for Downham to win by 10 runs.

Shire Foods MoM: Rob Hooton.

Fakenham’s Luke Caswell, who scored 88, and Billy Buckenham (38), rescued second-placed Fakenham’s innings against Cromer on Saturday.

At one stage, Fakenham were 28 for 4 before going on to claim maximum batting points in their total of 228 for 7. Cromer eventually finished on 220 for 7, making it nine wins on the bounce for Fakenham.

On Saturday, Downham have the small matter of a West Norfolk derby at Stow, while Fakenham travel to in-form Diss.