West Norfolk won by 67 runs
At the end of the 14th over we were 50 for 5 with an, on paper, very strong top order all back in the hutch on a two paced drying pitch. A patient rebuilding of the innings from the current and former captains, Robert Gurney (66) and Richard Thompson (42 not out) in a partnership of 92 was topped off by a swashbuckling 29 in 14 balls from Jeremy Stanton. Our 11th player, Chris Sutton, never actually made it to the ground as he had to attend an FA disciplinary hearing for swearing at the referee – it’s like a badge of honour amongst managers apparently.
In the field Walpole and Black (on his debut) took the new ball. Black dismissed their two best players, the first expertly caught low down at 1st slip by Kennedy with one that swung away and the 2nd bowled by one that moved back. Alex Thompson bowled an interesting spell including the ball of the day which resulted in a stumping. Jeremy Stanton cleaned bowled a batsman with his 4th ball and was so surprised he pulled a muscle in the process. Despite the Captain keeping Kennedy back to be the 7th bowler used, it did not stop him finishing the opposition off with 3 wickets for 8 runs in 2.5 overs.
The club welcomed two new players, Sam Dacre and Cameron Black and look forward to them playing more games in the future. Little did either realise how lucky they were to play in a WNCC match which they actually won.
