Fakenham leapfrog Downham to close in on Alliance crown

In-form Fakenham are just one match away from securing their first Norfolk Alliance Premier Division title for three years.

After playing catch-up for much of the season, Fakenham leapfrogged local rivals Downham at the summit.

They recorded a comprehensive nine-wicket win at Diss, who were skittled for 54 (Luke Caswell 4-32, William Buckingham 4-13) while long-time leaders Downham suffered a heavy loss in a West Norfolk derby at Stow.

Fakenham, who have won ten games on the bounce, lead the way by eight points going into Saturday’s final round of fixtures and Downham require their rivals to lose on the final day to stand a chance of defending their title.

Going into the final weekend, Fakenham host Brooke at Highfield Lawn, while Downham welcome Garboldisham.

Downham let their title lead slip after being asked to bat first against Stow.

They made a steady start by reaching 30 without loss, but when Alex Stuart fell to the bowling of Jamie Cook it triggered a collapse. The score quickly became 30 for 4 as the top four came and went.

Credit must go to Stow’s bowlers who put the ball in good areas and young Finlay Wilcox’s three scalps kept the momentum that Stow had.

Despite lower-order resistance from Dom Corbett and Joss Stuart 12 not out, Town were only able to muster 102 all out in just 29 overs.

Stow openers Esse and Dhaliwal came out with a positive attitude.

Town were only able to pick up two wickets, one each for Gregory and Chris Sharp, as Stow eased their way to the total in 25 overs. Esse finished on 40 not out, supported by Will Denny with 29.

Shire Foods MoM: Joss Stuart.

Division Five

Denver beat Horsford 3rds by 6 wickets

With only two games remaining and 28 points required for promotion, this was a very tricky fixture for Denver.

Dan Harper made the breakthrough for Denver in the fifth over, with Tom Gilbert taking his first of five catches behind the stumps along with a stumping.

Wickets fell at regular intervals until a fifth-wicket partnership of 45 between S. Lincoln and W. Minns steadied the innings, before Kev Cornwell bowled Lincoln for 35.

At drinks with 112 on the scoreboard, it looked like a big chase could be on.

However some tight bowling from Cornwell (2-18 from his nine overs) and Joe Manning steadied the ship.

Harper returned to the attack, bowling two wicket-maidens on his way to his first-ever five-wicket haul as Horsford were bowled out for 150.

Denver started slowly until Paul Morton joined Dan Cornwell, sharing a 120 partnership before Morton fell to a fine catch for 65.

Dan Cornwell fell in the following over, also for 65. This left four runs required to win the game, Dan Harper crossing the line with a massive maximum.

With 23 points in the bag and Great Melton dropping three points, Denver now require only two points from Saturday’s fixture against Norwich 3rds to gain promotion to Division Four.

CGM MoM: Dan Harper and Tom Gilbert.