Fakenham edged out by Wisbech in play-off final
Fakenham Cricket Club’s hopes of playing in the East Anglian Premier Cricket League next season were dashed on Saturday as they suffered a heartbreaking play-off loss to Wisbech by just six runs.
Chasing just 171 for victory, the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division champions were pipped to glory in the final over.
Following their agonising defeat across the border, Fakenham Cricket Club Tweeted: “Naturally we’re disappointed to finish the season as we did today.
“But we’re also super proud of the season we’ve had – well done everyone involved at the club.
“Huge congratulations to Wisbech Town Cricket Club all the best for next season. Harecroft Road looked glorious today.”
Cambs & Hunts Whiting & Partners Division One runners-up Wisbech lost the toss and lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping from 21-1 to 48-4 and 96-7 and were in trouble of not posting a competitive total.
But good late partnerships between Ant Palmer and George Gowler – and a tenth-wicket stand of 32 between Gowler and Joe Dunning – gave Wisbech a glimmer of hope when they posted 170.
Lloyd Marshall did the damage with the ball for Fakenham, picking up 4-20 from 9.5 overs and he received good support from both David Coyle (10-1-17-3) and Liam Carruthers (6-1-21-2).
Fakenham, who last week chased down 272 for the loss of only two wickets against Halstead in their semi-final, found batting no easier with John Ewart (65) the only batsman to reach a half-century in the game.
But David Coyle’s side still seemed to be in control when they needed only 30 off the last 10 overs, but some excellent bowling from Josh Porter (4-23) kept the home outfit in the game.
And when the Fakenham skipper Coyle was out caught on the boundary by Wisbech skipper James Williams, Fakenham still needed 10 and Wisbech only needed a single wicket.
The visitors will have still fancied their chances having won a recent Norfolk Alliance Premier Division game at Norwich thanks to a big last-wicket stand – but it wasn’t to be.
Ant Palmer was given the responsibility of bowling the last over with Fakenham requiring only six runs to win – but with the fourth ball of the over, Palmer had Paul Lough trapped leg-before-wicket.
It was hard to take for Fakenham, whose batting this season has been their main strength, especially when chasing.
Wisbech skipper Williams admitted he and his team-mates struggled to believe in themselves at points – and were worried the game could become a non-event if they fell too hard behind.
“We just stuck at it – it was a great team performance from the lads.
“We were in some difficult positions at times, but we dug ourselves out of it – just a great day,” he said.
