Sports Update - W/E 11th & 12th April

Huge week for Lynn & Heacham in their battles to avoid the drop, West Norfolk RFU men give Champions a run for their money, whilst the Ladies fight to avoid the drop

Football

It is a huge day for King’s Lynn Town and Heacham FC in their respective fights for survival. 

Lynn are now just one place above the relegation zone with the two teams immediately below them - Hereford & Alfreton - both in action tomorrow evening (Tuesday 14th). 

Whilst the Linnets are still five points clear, Hereford and Alfreton have games in hand. Lynn’s two final games are by no means easy rides, with a visit to promotion hopefuls Chester on the final day of the season (25th April), whilst their home form means the game against Chorley this coming Saturday is no shoe in. 

Lynn were comprehensively beaten 4-1 at 3rd placed Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday. Despite taking an early lead through Ross Crane, Lynn were out played by their hosts, leaving them desperately requiring something out of their final two games.

Heacham secured a very hard earned and deserved point at Ipswich Wanderers in a 0-0 draw on Saturday. The point could prove absolutely crucial in their fight to avoid relegation. Heacham know a defeat for Lakenheath tomorrow evening - at already doomed and bottom side Hadleigh Utd - will secure their status in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division. 

Failing that, their fate will go down to the wire on the final day of the season this Saturday, where the Magpies host Walsham-le-Willows at home. Whilst they will have a close eye on the match between fellow strugglers Lakenheath and Cornard Utd, Heacham’s fate does, however, remain in their own hands knowing a win will also guarantee their status at this level.

Complicated permutations that, although adding to the excitement, are situations both clubs could do without where nerves and results elsewhere are the last thing you want to be worrying about as the season reaches a tense conclusion. 

In Division One of the Anglian Combination League, Dersingham Rovers were beaten 1-0 at Derse are now resigned to a mid table finish in what has been a tough campaign, hampered by key injuries.

In Division Three, Heacham Reserves played out an entertaining game with fellow promotion hopefuls Feltwell Utd in a 4-4 draw. A brace from Blake Foster and a goal apiece for Alfie Buhlemann and Jaden Poore securing a point.

In Division Four, Ingoldisthorpe FC were convincing 6-1 victors at lowly North Elmham as they look to secure a top half of the table finish with two games remaining.

In the North West Norfolk League, Heacham Minors Development FC were beaten by league leaders Wanderers 2-0 in the Semi Finals of the League Cup, whilst Ingoldisthorpe Reserves were beaten by West Lynn 5-4 on penalties after the game ended 2-2 in the Quarter Finals of the League Cup.

In Division Three of the Norfolk Ladies & Girl’s League, leaders Dersingham fell to a surprise 3-1 home defeat against a strong Bungay side. Eliza McDonald with the goal. Dersingham slip to 2nd with five games remaining, including a mouth watering trip to new leaders Dereham on the 26th April.

Rugby Union

West Norfolk men's rugby team welcomed Division One East League champions, Bury St. Edmunds ll's, to their Gate House Lane base in North Wootton on Saturday.

Up until Christmas, West Norfolk were Bury’s main rivals for the title but the local outfit have been plagued by injuries of late and other circumstances have seen them drop to 6th in the table. Their cause wasn’t helped with an illness to their number 10 in the warm up.

However, it was the hosts who took the game straight to their opponents and their persistence paid off with an unconverted try for the lively Hayden Revell. Bury then began to settle and their slick and quick passing showed just why they are Champions. They scored two converted tries to take a 14-5 lead, before West Norfolk responded with Jacob Chapman finding space to reduce the arrears to 14-12. The sucker punch came on the stroke of half time as Bury scored a crucial converted third try to lead 21-12 at the break. Despite early possession in the second half, West Norfolk could not turn it into points and Bury scored a further four unanswered tries to run out convincing 45-12 winners in the end.

West Norfolk RFU men’s Head Coach Jamie Williamson

Head Coach, Jamie Williamson, simply said, “It was a tough one and our boys showed a lot of heart, but they are a class outfit.”

West Norfolk face bottom side North Walsham ll’s and lowly Ely in their final two fixtures, which should enable them to achieve a creditable top half of the table finish after promotion to this level last season.

The women have struggled in Division One East after winning promotion last season. They presently prop up the table, although still harbour aspirations of avoiding the wooden spoon after an excellent 34-7 victory over Hitchin Ladies means they are now level on points with Ipswich Women. Ipswich travel to leaders Bedford (25th April) whilst West Norfolk host Colchester (26th April) on the final weekend of the season. A win for the ladies could actually see them jump two places if results elsewhere go their way.

All Images Ian Burt