Sports Report - W/E 8th & 9th November

A busy weekend of local sport with football, rugby and sailing, whilst top bowls player, Mark Royal, is in town on Wednesday.

Football

It has been a good start under Ian Calverhouse at King’s Lynn Town FC, who are now unbeaten in three. They returned from morning leaders South Shields on Saturday with a well earned point. Gold Otomayo cancelled out Shield’s early opener. They are up to 14th in the Conference League North. Calverhouse says, “It’s about the collective and we dug in, I thought everyone put in a shift today.”

The Linnets are in FA Trophy action next weekend where they host Isthmian League side Harrow Borough.

In the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, Heacham FC remain in the relegation zone after a 2-1 home loss to play off hopefuls Soham Town Rangers. The Magpies nearly snatched victory at the end, only for Soham to go down the other end and grab all three points. Despite playing well, the league table doesn’t lie. Toby Hilliard with the goal.

In Division One of the Anglian Combination League, Dersingham Rovers gained revenge over Tacolneston who beat them earlier on in the season on home soil. Kurty Calaby and Lewis Curson scoring in the scrappy 2-1 win, after the home side were reduced to ten men. Dersingham are 4th.

Heacham Reserves secured a dramatic last minute 4-3 win at North Walsham Town Reserves to move them up to joint 4th in Division Three. A brace apiece for Tom Hawkins and Alfie Buhlemann bagging all three points.

In Division Four, Ingoldisthorpe FC overcame lowly Gayton United Reserves 1-0 in a tight affair, moving them up to 3rd. Kieran Herbert scoring. They have also signed Anton Ely which should bolster the side. Dersingham Reserves led leaders Terrington Tigers before conceding late in the second half to share the spoils in a creditable 1-1 draw. Adam Simmonds with the goal.

In Division One of the North West Norfolk League, Heacham Minors Development FC remain bottom after a 4-0 loss at Watlington Reserves, whilst Dersingham Rovers ‘A’ were on the wrong end of an eight goal thriller at Wanderers FC, losing 5-3. Nathan Mitchell, Kris Smith and Liam Kerr scoring.

In Division Two, Dersingham Rovers U23’s held 4th placed Gayton Utd ‘A’ to a respectable 2-2 draw. Thomas Cunliffe and Jack Jordan with the goals.

Dersingham's Chloe Melton (yellow) in action, image Ian Burt

It was 3rd v 2nd in Division Three of the Norfolk Women & Girls’ League on Sunday, as Dersingham Women hosted North Walsham Ladies. It proved to be a humdinger as the hosts deservedly went 2-0 up with goals from Emma Corbyn and Emma Leech before the referee awarded North Walsham an outrageous penalty allowing them to reduce the arrears. Leech then put Dersingham 3-1 up only for the referee to award the visitors two more penalties. However, they failed to score both and Dersingham held on for a magnificent 3-2 win, cuing jubilant celebrations amongst the players and fans alike. They leapfrog their opponents into 2nd place in the process. Ecstatic manager, Georgie Archer, says, "Every single player put in a graft today and I am delighted with the result."

In the Thurlow Nunn Youth League, a weakened Heacham FC U18’s suffered a heavy loss at Deeping Rangers U18’s last week, soundly beaten 10-0. They face another tough test on Thursday evening (13th) as they travel to 2nd placed March Town U18’s.

Indoor Bowls

Top bowler, Mark Royal, is in town this coming Wednesday (12th). A regular participant in the World Bowling Championships, he has won the Welsh Open twice and reached Number 2 in the world Indoor bowls rankings. Mark is bringing his Jack & Bowl Roadshow to the Alive Oasis in Hunstanton. A major coup for Hunstanton Indoor Bowls Club. 

The local club extend an invitation to any bowling fans in the area to come on down. Mark will be in attendance from 11.30am until 5pm, offering coaching advice and displaying top brands from bowling equipment, accessories and clothing available for sale.

Rugby Union

West Norfolk Men’s rugby team continued their unbeaten start to the season in the East Division One at the weekend with a tense yet ultimately convincing 36-26 win at Southwold RFC, to make it six wins from six games. They face a crucial showdown with joint leaders Bury St. Edmunds lll’s in December.

The Women continue to struggle in Division One East after promotion last season. Still without a win, they face a crucial match at bottom side Harpenden next month.

Sailing

Local youngster, Toby Turner, competed in his first national event recently as he attended the National ILCA Open in Weymouth where he finished an impressive 4th, showing no signs of a `transition' period to the senior level.

Toby Turner

He also finished 3rd in the ILCA Inland National Championships at Draycote, his first podium at that level. He was the youngest sailor inside the top 10. Toby is still only 13 and proud mother Hayley said, “his grit and determination to battle elder competitors in challenging conditions is such a sight to watch”.

Toby says, “From my perspective on the water, both recent events demanded absolute focus, with each gust feeling like a real test of nerve and control. The racing was fast and tactical with split second decisions making all the difference both upwind and downwind.”

He starts his Winter training at the Draycote Academy with coach, Steve Irish, with aspirations to build on his recent achievements. He will also be training and racing across Europe. He could be timing this well with the Los Angeles Olympics looming in 2028.

Anyone looking to sponsor Toby over the next season can contact Hayley by email: Hayleytooke@outlook.com