Sports Update - W/E 28th & 29th June

Reports about local results in cricket, table tennis and golf.

Cricket 

In Division Two of the Norfolk Cricket Alliance (NCA), in-form Sandringham & Dersingham slipped to a 53 run defeat at home to Fakenham 2nds, as tight bowling from the visitors stifled the home side’s run chase. The 2nds remain bottom in Division One of the Norfolk Cricket League (NCL) after a 7 wicket loss at leaders Felthorpe.

In the same Division, Bircham returned to winning ways with a 6 wicket win at Beccles. A Peter Matthews hat-trick and half centuries from Tom King and George van Aalst setting them on the way to secure a welcome maximum point haul.

In Division Four, Snettisham were surprisingly beaten at Bradfield 2nds by 75 runs, despite a hat-trick for Kieran Herbert and 67 runs for Jonathan Forder. Meanwhile, the 2nds had a convincing 108 run win against Ketteringham Hall, as they remain 2nd in Division One of the NCL. Half centuries for Dylan Fryett and Matt Herbert and an impressive 6 wicket haul for Daniel Cook the pick of the match statistics.

In Division Five, Thornham re-ignited their promotion challenge with an important 37 run win at Reepham & Salle with a good all round batting and bowling team performance. Hat-tricks for captain, Ben Harris, and Tom Chudley, restricting the home sides run chase. 

In Division Three of the NCL, the 2nds made it a great weekend for the local club as they dispatched local rivals, Sandringham & Dersingham 3rds, by 112 runs, with captain, Andy Arnold, leading the way with a half century backed up by a Brad Williams half century and four wickets apiece for Dave Lemoir and, Man of the Match, Williams.

Table Tennis

Heacham Table Tennis Club hold their finals and awards ceremony at Heacham village Hall tonight (Monday) from 6.30pm where refreshments will be available. Anyone wishing to attend what will be an action packed evening can contact organiser, Jim Race, on 07950 032292. A detailed review of all the winners and losers will feature in the next edition of T&A magazine.

Golf
Local golf professional, Warren Bates, failed to make the next round of qualifying for the Open last week, as he finished tied 49th at Gog Magog Golf Club near Cambridge. The position does not tell the whole story as he was only 4 shots off a qualifying place from over 125 players, although anyone who follows golf will know a couple of shots can make all the difference between success and failure.

The Final of the Town & Around Spring Cup 9 Hole Invitation took place on Thursday, 26th June where local green-keeper, Steve Matthews, took on Grant Haigh.

The annual tournament began in April with 32 players going head to head in a knockout format at Searles Golf Club. With the youngest participant 21 and the oldest 87, it brings together local players who might otherwise never meet on the course. Previous winners include local butcher, Richard Burton, and Steve Gibson.

A tense and tight match ensued as Haigh could not shake off the tenacious Matthews. The higher handicapper, Haigh, sank an incredible 25 yard putt on the 2nd hole to make his intentions clear. But Matthews remained in the match and could have levelled on the 8th before imploding around the green, meaning he needed to win the 9th to take the game to a play off. However, Haigh kept his composure to win the hole and the coveted 2025 title.