A clinical, all round performance.
WNCC batted first and posted a solid 241/7 from their 40 overs. Contributions all round including a disciplined 50 from Jim Thompson and 48 runs from Gurney. The skipper’s innings included some mighty pulls over and through the pavilion and some luck, but as he commented afterwards ‘If you are going to give a catch make sure you pick out the player in the black plimsoles’. Useful scores from Fairey, Petrie, Richard Thompson and Russell, who was playing his first innings for 18 months, having now recuperated after falling out of his helicopter.
West Norfolk took to the field after a stirring team talk and a warning from the captain that the opposition had a handful of very dangerous players before the hutch would be open. This warning looked a bit extreme when Taylor, a young Irish International, was yorked 1st ball of their reply by Ben Stanton. Andy Morris, a fabulous bowler for any match managers who are short) quickly found some useful bounce, and fine catches in the gulley by Russell and Petrie quickly dispatched 2 more. A questionable legside catch by Gurney behind the stumps (only the bowler appealed!) removed the last remnants of resistance and gave Stanton B his 2nd wicket of the season, a feat which usually occurs around mid July. The Thompson trio (Alex, Robbie and Jim), backed up by Jethro Agnew on debut, were like ferrets who had broken into the rabbit hutch quickly mopping up the tail, and Jim was even heard to say that he had never been allowed to have a 2nd slip in place before. The College were all out for 58 off 19.5 overs. This was a fine fielding display from West Norfolk with all chances taken. The highlights were Fairey’s 2nd catch at slip and the bizarre new fashion amongst the students of sharing a jock strap and wearing it outside their trousers in an Ali G/Lady Gaga style.
