Downham Stow outplay North Runcton in Norfolk Alliance Premier Division

Leaders Downham Stow continued their recent dominance over rivals North Runcton in the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division on Saturday.

Whilst the toss played an important part, Downham Stow outplayed their hosts in all departments during a resounding 131-run success.

Their batting was first class and bowling miserly with only three wides compared to Runcton’s 29 and along with Fakenham they must be one of the favourites to win the league.

North Runcton against Downham Stow in the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division.

On easily the hottest day of the season, the visitors won the toss and took full advantage of batting first.

Their first four all made half-centuries as they applied a Bazball offensive to Runcton’s attack.

The usually-dependable opening pair of Ben Coote and Kirwin Christoffels were put to the sword by the opening batsmen.

Freddie Fairey (67 off 72) and Will Denny (64 off 77) provided an entertaining opening partnership of 136.

There was some relief for the home side when Jasper Payne bowled Fairey and Michael Annakin bowled Denny.

However, any hope of some respite was short lived as Ben Wilcox continued the onslaught with a dazzling 76 off 68 balls with four boundaries and three maximums.

He was backed up by Liam Muggeridge – Downham’s New Zealand overseas player – who quietly made 53 off 55 balls.

Both were eventual victims for Jack Major (3-67 off 10) and with Jasper Payne (3-58 off 10) who were the most successful of the home bowlers.

Credit to Michael Annakin (1-36 off 10) was the most accurate of the home attack.

In reply, Runcton lost both openers relatively early.

Stephan Marillier was caught by Yates off Arthur Wilcox while Christoffels was caught-behind off Jamie Cook to leave them 39-2 in the eighth over.

Mark Skipper and Jasper Payne took the total to 102 before Skipper was bowled by Joe Moss for 48.

Moss also bowled Forder for two and Addam Todd trapped Payne leg-before-wicket for 37 to leave Runcton struggling at 116-5 off off 26 overs.

Todd (2-17 off 10 overs) and Moss (2-27 off 10) gave nothing away both with miserly spells.

It was an uphill struggle for the hosts who finished on 191-9.

Ben Coote (12 off 59), Sam Phillips hit four boundaries in 17 off 12 balls before being clean-bowled by Todd.

Michael Crisp made 19 off 37, while Dylan Amin made 17 with four boundaries.

Cricket Greg Plummer