Weather is the weekend winner in Norfolk Alliance games

North Runcton, Fakenham and Downham Stow all saw their respective games abandoned after rain swept across the region.

Perhaps the biggest losers on a frustrating afternoon were Fakenham who had put themselves in a commanding position in their fixture at Bradfield.

Batting first, Fakenham had amassed 331-7 in their 50 overs when the rains came.

Jon Ewart scored 111 off only 97 balls as hit 13 fours and two maximums.

Ewart shared a third-wicket stand of 101 with Luke Caswell, who fell just short of a half-century with 48, while Peter Trewick chipped in with a valuable 38.

Reigning champions Fakenham scored at a rate of knots, reaching a 100 in 19.1 overs and 200 in less than 15 overs later.

They picked up ten points from the fixture while Bradfield received eight.

North Runcton also found themselves in a promising position when the heaven’s opened during their home clash against Norwich.

Norwich were left reeling on 9 for 2 before a third-wicket stand of 58 between Chris Borrett (34) William Bowman (22) saw them recover to 67 for 3.

The home side picked up two more wickets to leave Norwich on 93 for 5 when the game was finally abandoned.

North Runcton were awarded seven points and Norwich five.

Kirwin Christoffels picked up 3 for 18 from seven overs and Ben Coote 1 for five from two overs as the home side’s bowlers revelled in the overcast and damp conditions.

There was no luck for Downham Stow either as the visiting side were starting to build a competitive total on their travels.

Winning the toss, Hethersett & Tas-Valley elected to field and they were justified in their decision as Downham Stow initially found runs hard to come by.

Crispin Clarke picked up three wickets as Downham Stow found themselves struggling at 46 for 3 and 57 for 4 after returning skipper Pat Yates – back from gaining promotion with Downham Town the week before – was run out for just six.

But an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 86 between Ben Wilcox (52 not out) and Otto Esse (33 not out) left Downham on 143 for 4 when the game was called off.

Downham picked up six points and Hethersett & Tas-Valley seven.

Ashmanhaugh and Barton Wanderers are the early pace-setters after winning their opening two games of the campaign.

Fakenham Cricket Club would like to thank Sussex Handmade Brick Ltd for sponsoring the match and matchball for the club’s Division Three fixture against North Runcton 2nds at the weekend.

Sadly this game was abandoned with Fakenham 2nds on 119 for 4 after 34 overs.

This weekend sees the first West Norfolk derby of the season as Fakenham entertain North Runcton in a big game at the New Lawn.

Fakenham currently sit third in the early league standings while North Runcton find themselves a place below in fourth.

---

---