North Runcton book place in cup final

North Runcton booked a NACO Cup final meeting against Old Buckingham at the end of August following a two-wicket success at Cromer on Sunday.

Batting second, Runcton batted sensibly to reach their target in the penultimate over.

Cromer won the toss and with no surprise batted first on what is always a favourable ground for batting.

The hosts got off to a great start, not losing a wicket in their first 20 overs and amassing 110 runs with F. Sutton (63) surpassing 50. After North Runcton got the breakthrough, they restricted Cromer's boundaries as the hosts plodded along to 200 for 3 with ten overs remaining.

The last ten overs swung the game back into the "Crabmens" favour as D. Turner (85 not out) took advantage of the small boundary, hitting five sixes in his innings.

Cromer reached 284 for 4 off their 50 overs with the pick of the bowlers being J. Major (2-64) and J. Ring (1-31).

North Runcton's reply started well with both openers finding the boundary at ease in the first five overs.

However, captain M. Warnes (2-62) dismissed M. Skipper and the dangerous K. Christoffels in the seventh over to give Cromer the upper hand.

This brought Runcton captain and Norfolk player Ben Coote to the crease.

Coote (93 off 52 balls) decided to take every Cromer bowler on as he dismantled their attack.

When Coote was finally dismissed, Runcton only needed 120 runs off their remaining 30 overs.

M. Crisp (55) and H. Lankfer (52 not out) guided the team home in the penultimate over despite losing regular wickets throughout the innings.

Ring Associates Man of the Match: Ben Coote.