Fakenham's cricketers impress

Fakenham's revamped East Anglian Premier League side enjoyed a winning start as they thrashed new-boys Halstead by nine wickets at Highfield Lawn.After Imran Ali (3-26) had ripped through the Halstead top order, the visitors were always on the back foot.

Fakenham's revamped East Anglian Premier League side enjoyed a winning start as they thrashed new-boys Halstead by nine wickets at Highfield Lawn.

After Imran Ali (3-26) had ripped through the Halstead top order, the visitors were always on the back foot. Thomas Philip (41no) gave them some hope, but Sri Lankan debutant Sanjaya Rodrigo picked up 3-15 off 13.3 overs, nine of which were maidens, as Halstead were all out in the 58th over having crawled to 97.

Rodrigo and fellow newcomer James Brown put together a stand of 86. Rodrigo went for 39, but Brown reached his half-century as Fakenham wrapped up victory in the 27th over.

Ali is a Glamorgan II trialist and came in while Sri Lankan Indika de Seram was waiting to see if he was needed by his country for the World Twenty20 competition.

Fakenham enjoyed a 25-point harvest, and while Halstead looked as if they will struggle to make an impact at the new level, there was delight among Lawn supporters that the side looked capable of building good starts to their innings this campaign.

On Saturday, Fakenham visit Godmanchester in the league and on Sunday they entertain Cromer in the Carter Cup, the match sponsored by Pat and Ann Johnson.

The Alliance season starts for Fakenham with a home Division Three match with Kirkley & Lowestoft.