Fisher Cup Semi Success
A fabulous Fakenham evening had by all. Captain Gurney lost the toss, was inserted and then decided to be 12th man! Obviously a sensible decision because WNCC were ultimately victorious but possibly brought on by his massive recruiting campaign which resulted in 13 turning up with other spares as supporters! All good fun.
Your Hon Sec having driven from London to make the game opened with new boy Alastair Hardy. had made every effort to run him out without facing, promptly set about the oppo with gay abandon. at 37 for 1 off 4 we looked in good, if a little frentic, order. But both openers were replaced by the elegant Tom Goodley and another new recruit Rob Gainher. Strokeplay became far more attractive if the pace of progress slackened a trice. At 80 odd after 13 the watching hordes of WNCC supporters (a record 5, Charlton’s, Lulu TW and soon to be 9 with the arrival of Tom Coke and 3 Harrisons) became somewhat uneasy but the run rate accelerated as firstly Tom G applied the wallop treatment, Rob Gainher moved things along and James Holden sorted out the final overs. 140 was a better than par score on a very slow outfield.
Nathan Lomax and Cameron Black opened up. The track was as dry as the great Fakenham groundsman could make it after many days of sitting under covers but both bowlers found their line, length and movement. The Bradenham batsman looked very competent but the pressure applied forced them into rash shots and we gradually grew inconfidence as they fell behind the run rate. Greshams offspiner Ben Stromberg replaced Na Lo and produced a fine debut spell of 1 for 26. But Bradenham were accelerating, gaining confidence and the odd catch was going down, STW, Jim H, Na Lo all culprits. Fortunately old hand Baldrick Waters was on hand to replace a fine spell from Cam Black and take two critical wickets from the Pavilion End. Brad needed 60 off 5 but their big tailenders were haymaking and Baldricks change of end had produced a flurry of runs. Enter Jim Thompson and Sam Watkinson. Jim’s leg spin was immediately spot on and zipping through, a fabulous effort on this track and Sam Watkinson’s first spell for 13 years steadied and ultimately thwarted the big boys who needing 30 off the last over capitulated at 115 All Out. Hoorah!! Another final for West Norfolk. Could they regain the trophy won 5 years ago without the Suttons and Masons?
