Acle suffered their first defeat since promotion to the top flight of the Norfolk Alliance when they were well beaten by North Runcton on Saturday.

They went into the game with two league wins and a Carter Cup success behind them, but were always second best as the west Norfolk side eased home by six wickets.

Acle were restricted to 159-7 in their 50 overs, with Peter Nobbs top scoring with 44 and Norfolk seamer Ben Coote taking 4-27.

That never looked like being enough and so it proved, with Dean Robinson’s 54 providing the foundation for a win that came in the 38th over. Shaun Roberts and Joe Flatt both both two wickets in a losing cause for Acle.

It was a different story for Acle seconds, who cruised to a 10-wicket win against North Runcton’s A team in Division Three.

The opposition were skittled out for only 86, with Sol Blazer taking 4-13, Harrison Tooley 3-16 and David Jones 3-18.

The end came quickly as Acle openers Paul Munford and Owen Gooch saw their side home with an unbroken partnership.

Winterton suffered their first defeat of the season in the same section in a remarkable game against Fakenham A, who only just got home after Harry Bammant’s 189 had helped them to an impressive 45-over total of 267-7.

Winterton ended up losing by just six runs after being dismissed for 261 with opener Devon Brannigan making 108 and Danny Snowling 96.

Martham won comfortably after piling up a daunting total of 314-6 against Bungay.

Joe Oakley top scored with 72 and Jack Whatmough 53 and there were then three wickets apiece for Louis Smith and Harish Chanchalani as Bungay finished on 213-8.

Like Acle A, Martham have started the season with two wins and a tie and only have Great Melton - who have a 100 per cent record - above them, while Winterton had won both their games before Saturday’s defeat.

In tomorrow’s games Acle, who remain second just six points behind new leaders Cromer, make the long journey to Downham Town in the Premier Division while their seconds host Swardeston B in Division Three.

Meanwhile Martham travel to early pacesetters Great Melton and Winterton are at Old Buckenham A.