Mid Norfolk Sunday
Cricket League

BARNEY RETAIN THE CHALLENGE CUP

Barney beat Lowestoft by 57 runs in the final of the Mid-Norfolk Sunday Cricket League's Challenge Cup.

An opening stand of 154 proved to be the difference between the two sides. Phoenix Sherry scored a majestic century before being dismissed for 107. His opening partner was Alex Payne (71).

Once Alex Payne had been dismissed the wicket began to tumble leaving Barney on 272 for 9 after their 40 overs.

The outstanding bowling performances for Lowestoft came from captain Daniel Edwin (4 for 53), with Khalid Oriya (2 for 50) and Craig Guy (2 for 53)

In reply Lowestoft lost three early wickets but opener Archie Taylor (61) and skipper Daniel Edwin (63) mounted a stand of 126 to keep their team seriously 'in the hunt'. However, a steady loss of wickets ground down Lowestoft's response until they were finally dismissed for 215 in the 37th over.

The pick of the Barney bowling was Tom Davey (3 for 32) closely assisted by Phoenix Sherry (3 for 41).

FAKENHAM EXCELS TO WIN THE BROKE CUP

A memorable batting display by Fakenham powered them to victory in the Mid-Norfolk Sunday Cricket League's Broke Cup.

Mundford won the toss and elected to bowl. An early wicket seemed to vindicate that decision but Fakenham skipper Charlie Warden steadied any nerves with a quick fire 50. However, his dismissal brought together the match winning partnership of Luke Caswell (122) and Max Parsley (58). They scored 167 for the third wicket.

The inning concluded with Fakenham on 271 for 5.

The pick of the Mundford bowling was Ollie Long (2 for 28 off 8 overs).

In reply Mundford were rocked by losing a couple of wickets with only 19 on the board. After that it could not be called a collapse but there just seemed to be a steady trickle of wickets until they were finally dismissed for 159. The best batting came from Chris Long who made a determined 47.

The pick of the Fakenham bowling was William Bracey (3 for 26) alongside William Sparkes (3 for 27)

There could only be one Man of the Match and that was Luke Caswell. His century included 17 fours and 2 imperious sixes.

YOUTH DRIVES SPROWSTON TO BOYLE CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

In a final, bristling with young talent, Sprowston overcame a powerful Mundford side to win the Mid-Norfolk Sunday Cricket League's Boyle Cup Championship.

Sprowston won the toss and elected to bowl. Mundford started their inning in dazzling form with Clive Welsman (31) and Brad Welsman (28). But George Pazhayattil (2 for 39) succeeded in splitting the top order. However, runs were still coming fast until Luke Burrows (2 for 9) strangled the Mundford middle order with a skilfully executed 8 over spell. He was ably assisted by 14 year old Daniyal Nayyer (1 for 23). Mundford never recovered and were finally all out for 127.

Facing a below par total, Sprowston suffered an early wobble but then made sure not to waste their advantage. Henry Murrell (43 no) and Horace Goodby (43 no) came together at the fall of the second wicket and steered Sprowston to an emphatic victory.

The pick of the Mundford bowling was Paul Fitt (2 for 14). Skipper Chris Long tried every combination of his bowling attack to split the partnership but to no avail. Sprowston finished with 128 for 2, winners by 8 wickets.

ACLE ARE MID-NORFOLK SUNDAY CRICKET LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Playing against a strong Barney side, Acle overcame an early wobble to sweep to victory and seize the League Championship.

Barney won the toss and elected to bat first. It looked a sound decision, because they could boast an array of batting stars.

However they were soon up against it, losing five early wickets. Matt Buttery (2 for 21) made the significant first breakthrough for Acle, ably assisted by Toby Adams (3 for 38) and later on Joe Catchpole (3 for 29). A performance that reduced Barney at one stage to 82 for 7.

The two Riseborough brothers, Aaron (26) and Liam (22) assisted by Charlie Page (20) steadfastly clawed Barney back to what could have been a half respectable total. Barney were all out for 145.

In reply, Acle suffered an early stutter, losing three wickets before that had reached 47. It led to Sam Utting striding to the wicket and with some exhilarating batting drove Acle to a thrilling victory. Utting (58) and Toby Adams (52 no) shared the match defining stand of 53. Acle won by 5 wickets.

The Man of the Match was Toby Adams for his all round influence on the match, both with bat and ball.

POWERFUL MATTISHALL OVERWHELM A SPIRITED DEREHAM

In a much anticipated local derby, Mattishall proved to be too strong for Dereham. They won by 8 wickets.

Mattishall won the toss and elected to bowl. It proved to be a sound decision because Dereham lost early wickets and seemed to be struggling to get into their usual flow. Joe Marczewski top scored with 17 assisted by George Pledger (16). Sadly for Dereham, wickets continued to fall with a disheartening regularity. The innings concluded on 79 for 9.

The pick of the Mattishall bowling was Sonny Richmond (3 for 12) and Jack Grant (2 for 14).

In reply, Mattishall set about achieving the result in a measured fashion. Jay Easton Smith top scored with an unbeaten 26 ably assisted by skipper Chris Baron (23).

Mattishall reached their target with 10 overs to spare.

In a low scoring match it is almost always the bowlers who exert the greatest influence. And so it proved and the decision to award the Man of the Match trophy to bowler Sonny Richmond included a �300 bespoke cricket bat courtesy of competition sponsor Hunts County Bats.

BARNEY MAKE HARD WORK OF BEATING FAKENHAM

In a rollercoaster of a match, Barney beat Fakenham in a much anticipated local Derby.

It was the final of Hunts County Bats Norfolk Senior Cup and Barney emerged as winners by just 4 wickets.

On a pitch that offered few demons, both sides struggled to mount a meaningful score.

The match started with a sparkling cameo from Phoenix Sherry (20) including two magnificent sixes. His dismissal changed the whole dynamic of the match. Suddenly the persistence and bowling guile of Aaron Riseborough (2 for 25) started a process that undermined Fakenham's whole approach. The whole bowling line up deserves a mention: Liam Riseborough (2 for 3), Tom Davey (2 for 8) and Charlie Page (2 for 14). It was impressive to see them bowling as a unit.

In the field, Jacob Seed fired in a spectacular direct hit to run out Fakenham�s danger man Luke Caswell (7).

Fakenham lost their final wicket on 53.

One hesitates to suggest that Barney were 'over confident' about being able to 'knock off' the runs but the twists and turns of this engrossing match extended deep into the Barney innings.

The innings started with a brief hard hitting performance from Harry Nunn (20) including a towering six. However, his dismissal by Jack Rowley (3 for 19) brought the Barney innings to a screaching halt. All of Nunn's swagger disappeared as Barney struggled to get the ball off the square. Gradually they inched their way but wickets were falling with alarming regularity. Ted Adams bowled a highly respectable (3 for 17).

It took a cavalier innings by Man of the Match Charlie Page (14 not out) to put the result beyond doubt. Barney finished with 55 for 6 wickets.

After the match, competition organiser, Colin King observed, "So often it is the low scoring matches that prove to be the most exciting. This match was swinging both ways. Fakenham threatened to mount a massive total only to be subdued. Likewise from Barney."

King continued, "It was a pleasure to award Charlie Page his Man of the Match trophy that included a �300 bespoke cricket bat courtesy of Hunts County Bats. With both bat and ball he imposed himself upon the match. It was a great day's cricket, the sun shone, Sprowston Cricket Ground looked wonderful and we all had some 'nail biting' cricket to send us home happy."

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