North Runcton do Downham Stow a huge favour with Fakenham win

North Runcton did near-neighbours Downham Stow a huge favour in the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division title race at the weekend.The home side delivered an excellent all-round team performance to see off second-placed Fakenham by seven wickets.Fakenham won the toss and took the opportunity to bat first a decision that appeared to be the right one as they powered themselves to 108-1 off 19 overs, losing just Ben Harvey caught behind off Kirwin Christoffels for six.Christopher Read made a 71 off 68 balls with 10 fours and Steve Gray 22 off 35 as both looked set for a huge total.However, the introduction of spin saw both men fall at 108, first Mark Skipper took a smart catch off the bowling of Callum Eke and then. making a welcome return, saw Jack Major remove the dangerman Read caught by Christoffels.Luke Caswell and Will Dunger repaired some of the damage with Dunger looking in good form until he had to retire not out ill, dehydrated by the heat on a score of 21.Jasper Payne clean-bowled Caswell for 14 at 148-4 and 10 runs later Andy Lawrence was the first of three wickets for Lucas Triffitt, 3-38 off 10 overs being Runcton’s most successful bowler on the day. A revived Will Dunger returned to the fray with seven wickets down and continued in an attacking mood. With Campbell, the two took the score to 198 before he was removed by Major being caught by Harry Lankfer for 12.Dunger was involved in two consecutive ball run-outs with Jack Rowley and then Will Walker.This finished off the Fakenham innings leaving Dunger stranded on 50 not out and the innings closed on 222. Wicketkeeper Ben Skipper, deputising for the unavailable Jack Hazel, took three catches behind the stumps.Other wicket-takers were: Major 2-56, Eke 1-46, Payne 1-7 and Christoffels 1-26. In reply, Runcton lost Ben Skipper caught behind by Steve Gray off Oscar Campbell for one.However, Kirwin Christoffels and Mark Skipper batted with patience and solidly took the total to 96 off 22 overs before Christoffels was bowled by Jack Rowley for 37. Jacob Lockheart made 18 before he was caught with a leading edge off Phoenix Sherry by Andy Lawrence.Ben Coote (51 not out) joined Mark Skipper and the two saw Runcton home with an unbroken partnership of 90 runs.It was Mark Skipper’s second century of the season.He was in phenomenal form playing, striking 12 fours and running well between the wickets in a 120-ball innings.Ben Coote was at his best with a typical hard-hitting 51 in 50 balls with 5 fours and two sixes.Fakenham wicket-takers were Campbell (1-21), Rowley (1-45), and Phoenix Sherry (1-42).