A shortage of runs at all levels is causing problems for Fakenham Cricket Club in the early days of the season, although hopes are high that their first team overseas player will arrive from Sri Lanka this week, writes John Cushion.

A shortage of runs at all levels is causing problems for Fakenham Cricket Club in the early days of the season, although hopes are high that their first team overseas player will arrive from Sri Lanka this week, writes John Cushion.

Fakenham's EAPL side are bottom of the table with just three points from their two opening matches following an eight-wicket defeat at Bury St Edmunds.

Asked to bat first, Fakenham made only 113, bowled out in 40 overs. Bury lost two wickets passing that total.

The Alliance side, newly promoted to Division Two, lost at home to Saxlingham by six wickets, skipper Paul Dunger conceding that his side failed to get enough runs on the board at 128 for 7 (Neil Yarham 30, Chris Crane 32no).

“But take nothing away from Saxlingham, I think they bowled to very good lengths and areas. Twenty five more runs were quite within our reach,” said Dunger. “We bowled different lengths and too many four balls. We never built any pressure at any stage, but Jacob Seed on his debut at this level kept wicket very well.”

In West Norfolk League Division One, Fakenham A were bowled out for just 18 by Downham B, who won by nine wickets.

But the Division Four side had Billy Yarham (13) take 6 for 19 against Downham C, who were bowled out for 90. Fakenham B responding with 94 for 5.