Old Buckenham had a settle for just six points on Saturday after their Norfolk Alliance Premier Division clash with Fakenham was abandoned.

An inspection showed damp areas at both ends of the pitch where rain had got under the covers so this was a toss that needed winning.

Fakenham captain Keegan Monahan Fairlie called right and asked the Bucks to bat first.

With probably the strongest side Fakenham have put out this season the decision was soon rewarded when two wickets fell in the fourth over.

Opener Perry was caught behind by Tom Yarham off Tatenda Chirazda who also trapped Thurley lbw a couple of deliveries later to leave the hosts on 4-2.

Good hostile bowling from Lloyd Marshall at the other end kept the score down but no more breakthroughs came until changes achieved the desired result, Steve Earl dismissing Lawrence with the middle stump out of the ground for 28 and following it up by getting rid of opener Bint, caught by Yarham again for 21.

Earl struck again six overs later, Heaney giving yet another catch to Yarham to leave Old Buckenham on 70-5.

Earl struck for the final time nine runs later, with an excellent one handed diving catch by Bammant seeing off Meridith. Yin Lo was brought into the attack at this point and although wickets kept falling the run rate steadily crept up before Lo claimed four wickets as Old Buckenham were all out for 149 in the 50th over.

This was a game that was definitely there for the taking for Fakenham but before a ball was bowled after the tea interval there was thunder, lightning and then the heavens opened and everyone knew deep down that any chance of resumption was remote. When the rain did stop the umpires inspected the pitch and it was obvious that there was no chance of any more play, so much rain had fallen in such a short time.

The Bucks had been looking to bounce back after a couple of poor results so the draw was also frustrating for them, even though they would have had to bowl well to secure a victory.

Having led the table not so long ago they are now fourth in the standings, 40 points behind leaders Downham Town.

They travel to the Norton Warnes Ground to take on second placed Cromer on Saturday (1pm).