Stephan Marillier made it two spectacular centuries in the space of three days at the weekend as Horsford recorded an emphatic victory over neighbours Great Witchingham at Manor Park.

The Zimbabwe-born bastman followed up his incredible 28-ball ton against Fakenham in the Norfolk Twenty20 competition with another impressive display of big-hitting to put a big dent in the Witches' title aspirations.

With three times as many overs to play with Marillier's innings was obviously more restrained than Thursday's knock, but in the context of East Anglian Premier League cricket it was still something to behold.

This time he made 104 – one more than his innings against Fakenham – with the runs coming off exactly 100 balls and including eight fours and five sixes. It provided the mainstay of Horsford's total of 210-9, with Adam Dismore (27) helping him add 65 for the third wicket.

With the storm clouds gathering the big question then was whether either side would have enough time to clinch victory – but fortunately the heavy rain stayed away and it was the home side who assumed control.

Skipper Chris Brown took three quick wickets to reduce Great Witchingham to 18-4 and there were good bowling performances all round as the visitors were all out for just 80. Ryan Findlay also took three wickets, with Caleb Futter and Tim Alexander taking two apiece, while for the Witches Brenton McDonald top scored with 23, having earlier taken 5-48.

Witchingham now find themselves 43 points adrift of leaders Swardeston at the halfway stage of the campaign – and it could have been a lot more than that, with the champions being frustrated by the weather at Woolpit.

Mark Thomas' side had the home side struggling on 46-3 chasing a daunting 265-6 declared when the rain came in the ninth over of the reply.

Earlier Callum Taylor had led the way for Swardeson with 116 off 133 balls, including 13 fours and three sixes. He was aided and abetted by Lewis Denmark, Jason Reynolds and Jeremy Elliott who featured in partnerships of 68, 88 and 66 respectively.

At Postwick a last-wicket stand from the opposition proved costly for Norwich as they slipped to a seven-run defeat. Visitors Burwell were in dire straits at 131-9 when No. 11 Mark Bissett came to crease and added a belligerent run-a-ball 43 to help his team up to 183.

Norwich lost wickets at regular intervals in reply and looked to be falling well short until skipper Chris Borrett found willing allies in tail enders Aaron Watson and Freddie Klassen.

Together they took Horsford to within touching distance of victory but in the end it was not enough, with Borrett making 53. Earlier Ashley Watson had maintained his fine form with the ball with figures of 5-34.

Vauxhall Mallards are now 15 points adrift at the bottom – and 26 behind Horsford – after their match at Bury St Edmunds was abandoned with Bury having made 163-1.