Bungay’s Norfolk Alliance Division Three promotion hopes were all but ended as they suffered a heavy defeat.

They picked up just four points after being dismissed for 159 all out in 38.2 overs when chasing a Old Buckenham A’s 224-2.

The reverse left them 35 points behind second placed Great Melton with just two games left to play.

Batting first on a green wicket the Bucks openers were able to take advantage of a lack of penetration in the Bungay bowling as they maintained a run rate of between four and five per over for the entire innings.

It wasn’t until the 40th over that Callum Clark (7 overs 2-44) removed skipper Mark Dunnett for 82 and then bowled Peter Free for 21 off the penultimate ball of the innings.

This left James Alexander unbeaten on 91 in a final total of 224-2.

Nick Lo was again the most economical of the Bungay attack with only 21 coming from his nine overs. The home team had not aided their cause in sending down 23 wides. Bungay however were fairly confident of chasing the total down.

Unfortunately for the Black Dogs it was a day when several batsmen got good starts but failed to progress.

After the in-form Will Lewis nicked one behind for 10, Lo (21), Charlie Mattocks (17), Tom York (30), Martyn Ramm (22) and Matthew Williams (20) were all set, but were forced to hit out as the required rate rose to around eight an over.

As the last of the wickets fell, Ed Masters was unbeaten with 16 as Bungay fell well short on 159 all out with 6.4 overs remaining.

Old Buckenham were fully deserving of their win, and Bungay would need to win their last two matches, and Great Melton lose twice, to achieve promotion.

Bungay play their final away match at fourth-placed Acle A this Saturday (12.30pm).

Ashby batsmen were in the runs against Aylsham Legionaires on Sunday, scoring 225 for five — Aaron Beamont scored 74, Issey 50, James Campbell-Johnson 35 and Beasthall 23.

In reply, the visitors reached 194 all out. Wickets were take by Aaron Beaumont (3), Joe Jackman and Paul Thurbon (2 each) with Littlechild, Johnson, and Reeve taking one each.

This Sunday Ashby play a Norwich XI at home (2pm).