Mid Norfolk Sunday
Cricket League

TWO CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE WON

As agreed by all clubs at the last AGM, the pinnacle of the League will be at the Play Off Finals on 2nd September 2023 at Horsford.

SHIELD SUPER STARS

The Shield Super Stars Championship will be fought for between the teams that win the Peter Parfitt Elite Division and the Derek Cousins Elite Division. This promises to be the “Clash of the Titans" and it’s only fitting that it should be staged at the Horsford Manor Park County Ground.

BOYLE BUCCANEERS

The Boyle Buccaneers Cup Championship will be fought for by all the teams in the Burgess Shield Division, R J Bidewell Division and the Kevin Grimmer Division. There will be a Play Off Final, also at Horsford on 2nd September 2023, between the two teams that won their divisions with the highest points average.

Commenting on the coming season, League Chairman Colin King said, “I’m eagerly anticipating these Play Off Finals. We have some excellent teams in the Elite Divisions, so I just know it will a memorable event for all concerned.”
He continued, “Meanwhile the Boyle Buccaneers divisions will give the competition an extra ‘edge’ this year. Sadly it will mean that, because there are three teams competing to be in the Play Off, one team will, of necessity, miss out. We felt that by deciding this on the highest average points, as opposed to total points, meant that regardless of how the season pans out, the two highest achievers will compete in the Play Off Final.

A & B WANDERERS ARE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

A & B WANDERERS ACHIEVE THE CUP AND LEAGUE DOUBLE

2022 was A & B Wanderer’s year. Not only winning the League Championship they also won the Challenge Cup They effectively secured the League Championship in a memorable match against Barney, with two matches still to go. They won three more matches than Swaffham, their nearest rival. After a stuttering start in which they lost their first two matches, A & B Wanderers never looked back and won all the rest of their League matches. They then went on to beat a spirited North Runcton side in the Challenge Cup Final held at Horsford on August Bank Holiday Monday.

TERRINGTON ST CLEMENT WIN THE BOYLE ELITE DIVISION

It was a hard fought battle to the Boyle Division championship between the ultimate winners, Terrington St Clement and Narborough and Snettisham. Just two points separated the top two teams. Terrington St Clement were also finalists in the Broke Cup, losing to a strong Norwich side.

NORWICH WERE CONVINCING WINNERS OF THE BURGESS SHIELD DIVISION ONE

Norwich won the Burgess Shield Division in what proved to be a ‘two-horse race’ between them and Hethersett & Tas Valley. Eventually they won two more matches than their rivals and lost just one match all season. To round off a successful season, they also won the Broke Cup in the final at Horsford against Boyle Division winners, Terrington St Clement.

SWANTON MORLEY WERE RUNAWAY WINNERS OF THE R J BIDEWELL DIVISION ONE

Swanton Morley secured the R J Bidewell Division championship by 34 more points than their nearest rival, Mundford. League Chairman, Colin King, commented that this was a very appropriate win and a fitting tribute to the late George Northall, who had dedicated so much of his life to developing Swanton Morley as a club and who had passed away during the season.

NORTH RUNCTON A ARE WINNERS OF A TOUGH KEVIN GRIMMER DIVISION ONE

North Runcton A were winners of a very hard fought Kevin Grimmer Division. The championship could have gone any one of four teams but it was North Runcton A who finally pulled ahead. They ended 18 points clear and with three more victories than Bircham, their nearest rival.
Reflecting on the 2022 season, League Chairman, Colin King said, “I congratulate all these five teams. They have done well and are all worthy champions.” He then added, “This has been an ‘up and down’ season. We have been hit by some concessions, which have been very disappointing. A concession means that 22 cricketers don’t get a game but also the club loses the revenue. I discussed this issue with most of our clubs and we are determined to rectify this before the 2023 season is upon us.”

A & B WANDERERS POWER TO CHALLENGE CUP VICTORY

In a hard fought and exciting Challenge Cup Final, played at Horsford, Manor Park, A & B Wanderers emerged victorious over a spirited North Runcton side. Having won the toss, A & B chose to bat. This saw the perennial Bernie Everett (40) stride out to face the first ball. He masterfully steered the team to 96 for 1 alongside the attacking Tom Harris (48). Oscar Binny (26) played an exhilarating cameo innings which included two massive sixes. Ayush Verma (55) powered the side to what proved to be a winning score, hitting seven boundaries including a great straight six. The innings closed on 232 for 9. The pick of the North Runcton bowling was Mike Annakin 3 for 23 and Lucas Triffitt 3 for 34
In reply, North Runcton started promisingly but were hauled back by some skilful bowling. The outstanding performance was that of Jamie White (49). As long as he was at the crease, the chase was definitely on. However, when he was dismissed the bowling assumed the ascendancy. In the end, North Runcton’s were all out for 133. The pick of the A & B bowling was Joe Everett 3 for 20, Michael Mulhall 2 for 27 and Ayush Verma 2 for 2.
There could be no doubt who the man of the match was. It had to be Ayush (Ushi) Verma. Not only had he top scored but in 3 overs he had removed the North Runcton tail.
Presenting the Challenge Cup, Mid-Norfolk Sunday Cricket League chairman, Colin King, said, “It was wonderful to see both these sides playing in the final. They thoroughly deserved to be here. I was delighted to see that North Runcton had chosen to field many of their promising youngsters. On a different day and under different conditions, things could easily have delivered more positive result for them.” He continued, “A & B Wanderers took their chances but overall it was a fine team effort and they deserved to win.” King reflected, “I want say a huge thank you to Horsford for making us all so welcome and to pay tribute to Robert, the groundsman, for preparing a pitch that provided a little encouragement for both sides. In the midst of a drought, this could not have been easy. It was a terrific afternoon’s entertainment”.

NORWICH DIG DEEP TO WIN THE BROKE CUP

A strong Norwich side, that boasted a balanced mix of youth and experience, overpowered a spirited Terrington St Clement to claim the Broke Cup. Norwich won the toss and elected to bat. The pick of the Norwich batting was Oli Howes (55), ably supported by the ex-Norfolk veteran, Aaron Watson (26), Nick Hook (23) and Ben Stewart-Miles (23). The Norwich innings closed on 205 for 9. There were many long faces as they struggled to decide whether this was a competitive score or just par. The pick of the Terrington’s bowling was Jason Young (3 for 25) but everyone agreed that Daniel Bullock (1 for 22) had bowled an outstanding spell and had been VERY unlucky. In reply, Terrington lost a couple of early wickets but at 129 for 4 everything was there to play for. There was a fine captain’s innings from Jason Young (59), ably assisted by Daniel Bullock (24). However, after that, they were unable to put up much resistance to a skilled Norwich attack. Terrington were finally all out for 164. The pick of the Norwich bowling was Dan Thompson (3 for 16) and Aaron Watson (2 for 17).
The Man of the Match was Oli Howes who had top scored and ensured that Norwich had reached what proved to be a match winning score.
Mid-Norfolk Sunday Cricket League chairman, Colin King, when presenting the Broke Cup reflected, “This was a hard fought final and played in the right spirit. Norwich deserved to win but on another day and with only slightly differing fortunes, this could have been a totally different result. Daniel Bullock of Terrington could easily have taken a hatfull of wickets. However the champagne moment for me was the direct hit by Simon Young to run out Norwich’s key batsman Oli Howes who was threatening to take the game away from Terrington. This could well have been a match defining moment”. With a contented smile, King added, “It was so wonderful to see so many supporters watching this match. There was skill and determination in spades on both sides. In short, this was a first class afternoon’s entertainment. My thanks go Norwich and Terrington St Clement and of course to Horsford for hosting this event and enabling this to happen”.

BRADFIELD DOMINATE THE NORFOLK SENIOR CUP FINAL

Bradfield beat North Runcton in the Hunts County Bats Norfolk Senior Cup Final held at Horsford last Sunday. In a reversal of last year’s final, Bradfield powered to a convincing victory against a North Runcton side that never seemed able to get fully into its stride. North Runcton won the toss and elected to bat. Every time it looked as though they were about to break loose, they lost a wicket. Every batsman contributed but the outstanding performances were from Ben Coote (35) and Sam Phillips (25). The Innings closed on a respectable 144 for 5. The pick of the Bradfield bowling was Sam Clabburn 2 for 14 and Mike Jones 2 for 38.
In reply, Bradfield lost an early wicket. However that brought together the match winning partnership of Sam Clabburn 58 (from 52 balls) and Miguel Machado 55 n.o. (from 55 balls). By the time Clabburn was dismissed, the match was effectively won. There had been a barrage of boundaries and sixes. In fact we saw a rarity for Horsford: a lost ball. Bradfield finished on 146 for 2. North Runcton tried every permutation of the bowlers in their attempt to stem the flow but only Ben Coote 1 for 17 and Mike Annakin 1 for 24 made any impact. The Man of the Match and recipient of the bespoke cricket bat, courtesy of Hunts County Bats, was Sam Clabburn. His exhilarating batting was backed up by some skilful bowling.
After the final, Mid-Norfolk Sunday League Chairman, Colin King, said, “This match was great fun. Sam Clabburn and Miguel Machado’s innings peppered the boundary and held the audience in thrall, if not in more than a little danger. North Runcton threw everything they could at Bradfield but on the day it was to little effect”. King added, “I would like to thank Horsford for hosting us and umpires Nigel Crickmore and Brett Gates for officiating so unobtrusively and with good humour. Everyone has contributed to making it a terrific day”.

AYLSHAM ST GILES WIN CLASSIC FINAL

Aylsham St Giles won the Hunts County Bats Norfolk Junior Cup Final held last Sunday at Horsford. They beat a strong Downham Stow side in a match that will be forever remembered as a true classic. Aylsham won the toss and elected to bat. From the start, they set about the task with imagination and determination. Not only were they prepared to play their shots but they also took the battle to Downham Stow with their spirited running. The pick of the Aylsham batting were Andy Prescott (48), Joshua Jex (23) and also Jakir Hussain (23). At one stage it looked inevitable that Aylsham would pass the 200 run marks but late wickets slowed their charge. The innings closed on 169 for 7. The pick of the Downham Stow bowling were Addam Todd 2 for 22 and William Khan 2 for 24. Special mention must be made of the outstanding wicket keeping of George Cook who was forever dominant and took 2 catches and 3 smart stumpings. In reply, Downham Stow lost an early wicket but powered ahead at a pace that made their formidable task look achievable. Addam Todd (48) and Tristan Esse (41) led the charge but, when they were dismissed, there followed an inspired spell of bowling by Jakir Hussain 5 for 34 ably assisted by Rejwan Rifath 2 for 17. Downham Stow were all out for 139.
There could be no other person who so richly deserved the Man of the Match Award than Jakir Hussain. He stamped his authority on a match, that was rich in talent, with both the bat and the ball. He received a bespoke bat worth £300 from Hunts County Bats. After the final, Mid-Norfolk Sunday League Chairman, Colin King said, “People all around me were saying words like “cracking match", “classic", "the best”. As Jakir Hussain beguiled the Downham Stow batsmen, you could have heard a pin drop. He removed the significant free scoring batsmen and then mopped up the tail. King concluded by praising the positive attitude of both sides and said, “I promised high octane cricket and that is precisely what we got. This is how cricket always should be”.

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