OLD Buckenham have won their first league game of the season with an emphatic win over North Runcton by eight wickets.It was an important win which will mentally lift the side as the battle against leaders Downham Market this week.

OLD Buckenham have won their first league game of the season with an emphatic win over North Runcton by eight wickets.

It was an important win which will mentally lift the side as the battle against leaders Downham Market this week.

Having put Runcton in to bat, Bucks struck first with Ali Beales having Shaun Hemeter lbw for 18.

A second-wicket partnership of 62 between Forder (22) and South African Jimmy Kgamadi (50) gave Runcton a good base to build on and at 79 for one off 25 overs, they looked well placed.

Buckenham then introduced left- arm spinner Andy Austin into the attack with an immediate impact.

His spin, plus that of Ranabir Nath and skipper Rob Austin bamboozled the Runcton middle to late order as first runs dried up and then wickets fell.

Austin returned figures of 4-33 from his first-ever bowl in the Premier Division as Runcton finished on 155 for nine.

Despite two heavy rain showers and the loss of Jon Fudge for just one, Terry Perry (79) and Ben Player (57 not out) put on a second-wicket partnership of 119 as they eased any Buckenham nerves with some good running and stylish shots.

Runcton continued to change the bowling around, and despite losing Perry with 23 still needed, no more wickets were lost as Ranabir Nath hit the winning runs with a six over square leg as Bucks won with seven overs to spare.