North Runcton CC win Hunts County Bats Norfolk Senior Cup at Horsford while Swaffham come close
North Runcton CC added another trophy to their bulging 2019 cabinet during two very exciting finals at Horsford on Sunday for the Hunts County Bats Finals.
Swaffham came close in the other final.
Newly-crowned Norfolk Alliance champions North Runcton emerged as the eventual winners of the Hunts County Bats Norfolk Senior Cup.
It was a low-scoring match which was won on the penultimate ball.
Batting first, A & B Wanderers found the bowling tough. Jordan Everett (26) looked set to be the man to take the attack to North Runcton.
However, when Jack Major (3 for 22) and Ben Coote (3 for 8) were at their devastating best, A & B Wanderers lost most of their batting and eventually the innings closed on 82 for 9.
In reply, North Runcton found batting equally difficult and were well behind the asking rate at the halfway point.
Oscar Binny (3 for 26) put in a very strong effort and as the final few overs loomed, it looked as though A & B had won it. Then the Man of the Match, Ben Skipper, stepped up and stroked an undefeated 21 runs off just 24 balls, steering North Runcton to victory. They finished on 85 for 6 wickets, to win by four wickets.
The Hunts County Bats Norfolk Junior Cup Final was slightly higher scoring and saw Hethersett & Tas Valley lift the trophy. For Swaffham, the Payne brothers, Jasper (45) and Alec (30), looked set for a large score. However, MoM, Sam Morton (5 for 29) wrecked the innings with an inspired spell of bowling. The innings closed on 119 for 9.
In reply, Hethersett & TV batted steadily. Ian Bryce (45) and Damien Fahy (34*). However there was some excellent bowling from David Annakin (3 for 14) and the situation was ‘all to play for’ when they entered the final over.
A four off the final ball handed victory to Hethersett & Tas Valley.
After the match, Mid-Norfolk Sunday Cricket League chairman, Colin King, said: “These were two brilliantly exciting matches. There were four of the best teams in Norfolk playing and they did not disappoint.”
He added: “The weather was perfect all day and the Horsford ground never looked better. I would like to thank them all for their hospitality."