Fakenham had a mixed weekend, suffering a disappointing home defeat in the Norfolk Alliance before booking their place in the second round of the Carter Cup.

Will Dunger’s side lost to Downham Town by five wickets at Highfield Lawn on Saturday after being restricted to 167-9, but bounced back to see off visitors Bradfield by six wickets the following day.

Fakenham struggled on Saturday after being put into bat and they would have struggled to get as many as they did had it not been for an innings of 53 from opener Keegan Monahan Fairlie,

LLoyd Marshall was the next highest scorer with 31 as Downham took a firm grip on proceedings, with Peter Cairns taking 4-33.

In reply Cairns made an unbeaten 52 as Downham got home in the 39th over. Jonathan Speedman (3-43) and Steve Earl (2-25) were the most successful Fakenham bowlers.

Having tied their opening game the previous weekend Fakenham went in Sunday’s Carter Cup tie against Division One opposition looking for their first win of 2017 - and they finally got it. The visitors were bowled out for just 143, with Dunger taking 6-19, and it was pretty much plain sailing after that as the hosts finished on 150-4 (see inside for full report).

There’s no Alliance game for Fakenham this Saturday after the early start two weeks ago.

Fakenham A lost to Swardeston B by three wickets in Division Three. They made 178-7 in their 45 overs (Oscar Campbell 57), with their hosts edging past that total in the 44th over (Tom White 3-33). It’s Great Melton at home on Saturday.

It was a disappointing weekend for Dereham, with their first and seconds both losing and the thirds having to concede their match because of a lack of players.

In Alliance Division One Thetford bowled out Dereham cheaply before getting home by seven wickets with nearly 10 overs to spare,

Dereham scrambled their way to 123 in 38.2 overs thanks largely to Jake Anema’s unbeaten 38, with extras the next highest contributor. In reply Ryan Conroy made 54 as Thetford won with ease.

Dereham will be aiming to bounce back at Stow on Saturday.