Big few weeks ahead for Downham Stow

Downham Stow are just three games away from winning the Norfolk Alliance title heading into a huge home derby against North Runcton tomorrow.While there’s still a long way to go, Downham Stow have put themselves in pole position in the title race, leading the Premier Division by 25 points from Fakenham, who they entertain on the final day of the campaign.The team still has two of the top three to play before the end of August, but a record of 11 wins and just three defeats this term has seen them power to the top of the table.Skipper Pat Yates knows that North Runcton will be no pushovers following their impressive win over Fakenham last weekend.Yates said: “North Runcton is a massive game for us. Any local derby is important but we know another win will push us one step closer so it becomes even more imperative for us.”It was nice of Runcton to beat Fakenham for us but it shows the quality they have. We lost to them earlier in the season and will be looking to improve on that day.”They have some good players that we will respect but we will just try and play as well as we can to hopefully come away with a win.” Downham Stow travel to Sprowston next Saturday before a huge game on Sunday (August 25) against a Zimbabwe Emerging XI. The game was arranged between Downham Stow chairman Ashleigh Corbett and Zimbabwe Emerging head coach Dave Houghton.Houghton, himself, is a former international cricketer who also has a wealth of experience coaching county teams in England as well as head coach of Zimbabwe.The club recently appointed senior coach Blessing Mahwire who is an ex-Zimbabwe international himself and it was through Mahwire’s connection with Zimbabwe that the game came about. Looking ahead to next Sunday, Yates said: “The Zimbabwe game is a highlight of the season for us. To attract a team of that stature to Downham Stow and to be able to test ourselves is fantastic.”Our new four-bay nets should be finished in time so it should be a celebration of everything good that’s happening at the club and a really fun day for everyone. “I’d encourage everyone to get down and watch with it being on the bank holiday it should be a really good day.”I’m looking forward to the challenge and seeing how good some of our boys are against quality upcoming players too.” The format of the game against Zimbabwe will be a 50-overs match, played in a coloured kit. The game will be played at Stow Bardolph and will start at 11am with a lunch served after the first innings.The club encourages all cricket fans from Downham and across West Norfolk to attend the game.Downham Stow thanks Mark from Eagles Coaches who has put on a bus to collect and return the Zimbabwe squad from Derby and the Landymores who are providing the lunches for the day.