Bungay moved back into the promotion places in Division Three of the Norfolk Alliance by beating North Runcton A – and the weather - at the weekend.

Bungay declared after making 200-8 in 38.5 overs and then bowled the opposition out for 109 to secure the maximum 25 points.

Following last week’s humbling loss to leaders Martham which ended their eight match winning run, Bungay showed a fine attitude in returning to winning ways.

Batting first in overcast conditions they made a confident start through Dave Fuller and Will Lewis and reached 75 off 15 overs before Lewis departed for 33. Fuller continued to a fine 64 before he was caught in the deep.

Brother Chris and Charlie Mattocks followed shortly after, and Bungay found themselves 130-4 off 30 overs. A quickfire and entertaining 52 from the resurgent Tom York moved Bungay back into the ascendency until rain forced the players off and Bungay elected to declare, having reached 200, in order to maximise their chances of winning with more rain forecast.

Once again Mattocks was lethal with the ball, returning figures 2-7 in six overs and Fuller again showed all his wily experience to finish with 4-12 off his seven. In fact, not one of the Runcton batsmen was able to score more than 14, and it always looked as though only the weather could deny the Black Dogs.

Thankfully the rain stayed away, and an excellent spell from Jak Clark with 2-8 from four overs and a wicket for Ted Mattocks (1-2) left Bungay needing one wicket for the win. This was taken by 14-year-old Oliver Hall, his first ever Alliance wicket with a top edge to the keeper, as Runcton slumped to 109 all out.

Tomorrow sees a tough assignment as Bungay host Swardeston thirds (1pm).

In Ashby’s only Saturday game, the Chairman’s XI scored 158 all out in their 40 overs.

In reply Ashby passed the total for the loss of eight wickets in the 35th over (Dan Littlechild 38, Paul Thurston 35 not out).

Against Topcroft Ashby’s bowlers conceded 100 in the 10th over, with four of the first five batsmen reached the retirement score of 25. Order was restored and six wickets did fall but not before 160 had been scored. Ashby’s batsmen had a go but the rate was just too high and against an all pace attack in fading light, they fell way short on 119-6.