NORFOLK Alliance Division Two leaders Dereham finally got over their four-year Saham Toney hoodoo with a comfortable 60-run win on Saturday.

Put into bat, Dereham knew they had to forget their previous week's performance and post a competitive total. But in the sixth over David Lake nibbled at a wide delivery to be caught with the score on 19.

Duncan Hewitt and Jack Perrin West put on 36 before West departed for 16,caught at slip. Hewitt followed eight balls later for 32.

That brought together Jake Anema (43) and Neil Irons (41). Both batsman started to add much-needed runs, hitting fine boundaries from some wayward bowling.

Both batsmen missed out on half-centuries as Anema departed after a fine caught and bowled and Irons followed after playing on to a rare low delivery.

Dereham's lower order produced the quick runs needed. Max Cheetham (22), Phil Milbourne (13) and Kristian Fletcher (22 no) saw Dereham to 228 for eight off.

Dereham's bowlers soon sunk their teeth into the Saham batting line-up with two quickfire wickets from Gary Starling (4-24).

Seventeen-year-old Nic Cains delivered a great seven-over spell with only 12 runs coming from it, and a wicket.

Saham rallied with the hard-hitting B Norman (70) putting up a fight, but all-rounder Jake Anema's slow bowling ate through the Saham batting. His figures of 4-45 off nine overs saw Dereham complete the win and take 25 points.

Skipper Hewitt said: 'We finally delivered a good total.We can't get complacent and must stay positive. Being at the top means everyone wants to knock us off our perch.'

Dereham travel to second-placed Downham A on Saturday.