The Norfolk Alliance season could hardly have got off to a more exciting start on Saturday, with the opening Premier Division fixture ending in a tie.

Fakenham and Horsford A stole a march on their rivals by getting their campaigns under way a week early and produced a match to remember at Manor Park.

Newly-promoted Horsford made 215-9 in their 50 overs and it was a score that the visitors could only match - after looking like certain winners at one stage.

Fakenham look sure to take the win when they got past 200 for the loss of only four wickets but they then suffered an complete collapse, with the last six batsman making just three between them. They were eventually all out with six overs unused.

Chris Spenceley scored 80 for the hosts while Tom Yarham (74), Will Dunger (78) and Keegan Monahan-Fairlie (39) starred for Fakenham.

Sadly their next highesr score made just four.

Steve Earl was Fakenham’s star with the ball, taking 4-34, while Monahan-Fairlie took 2-47.

The following day Fakenham were in action in the first round of the ECB National Club Championship and they were well beaten by EAPL side Vauxhall Mallards at Halvergate.

An excellent unbeaten 74 from youngster Billy Buckingham helped Fakenham up to a respectable 211-9 in their 45 overs, with Tom Yarham chipping in with 27, but the total wasn’t nearly enough, with John Ewart scoring an unbeaten 101 in a reply of 212-3 as the game finished early.

Fakenham play their first home game of the season on Saturday when they take on Downham Market while there is more action at Highfield Lawn on Sunday when Bradfield, newly promoted to Division One, are the visitors in the first round of the Carter Cup.

For most sides Saturday will be the first day of the competitive season.

Dereham begin their Division One campaign with a home match against Thetford while Mattishall host Stow in the same section.

Bradenham hit the road in Division Two as they take on Beccles.

Carter Cup first round draw: Horsford v Great Witchingham, North Runcton v Downham Market, Fakenham v Bradfield, Old Buckenham v Garboldisham, Norwich v Cromer, Sprowston v Diss, Vauxhall Mallards v Swardeston, Ashmanhaugh and Barton Wanderers v Acle.