THE WEATHER conspired against Fakenham on Saturday as their Norfolk Alliance Premier Division match at North Runcton was rained off – and title rivals Norwich picked up maximum points.

Fakenham had held a three-point lead on Saturday morning, having beaten Norwich two weeks ago and followed up last weekend with a hard-fought win against Downham.

But on a day when the west of the county was hit worst by the rain, Fakenham were left to rue the fact that the fixture list had sent them into the eye of the storm.

Norwich were at home to Stow and cruised to a 147-run victory.

Australian Nathan Shearer (102no) hit an unbeaten century for Norwich at Postwick as the hosts racked up 250-3.

Norfolk batsman Harry Bush, playing his first game of the season for Norwich, added 62 and there was a powerful 52no from skipper Chris Borrett.

Spinner Ashley Watson then took four for 15 as Stow stumbled to a 147-run defeat despite Warren Bowman’s 53.

With Fakenham’s game at North Runcton off, Norwich moved 17 points clear at the top.

One of the few matches which did go ahead in the west of the county provided further bad news for Fakenham, as Downham picked up a winning draw to move within 26 points of Ben Harvey’s men.

Fakenham will now attempt to make up for lost time when they host Lowestoft at Highfield Lawn this Saturday.

Lowestoft managed to get a full game in last Saturday – but might have wished the rain had saved them the embarrassment of an 85-run defeat against Vauxhall Mallards, having been bowled out for just 82.

There was similar frustration for Fakenham A, who saw their Alliance Division Two match at home to Beccles rained off, while Fakenham’s third team were also beaten by the rain at Castle Acre in West Norfolk League Division Two. Fakenham A are without a game on Saturday and Fakenham B host Thornham.