Sports Update - W/E 3rd/4th May

Kings’s Lynn Town FC bow out, Searles Golf Club progress and local cricket season starts with a bang!

Golf

In a rare meeting, Searles Golf Club entertained Hunstanton Golf Club in the first round of the prestigious Cullington Cup on Sunday in an eagerly anticipated and mouth watering local derby. With each round played over 36 holes, the competition is renowned for bringing out the best in players. And so it proved, as a competitive yet friendly affair, in variable weather conditions, it came down to the wire in the last Four-ball, with Searles greenkeeper, Steve Matthews, producing one of the sublimest of sublime chips from 25 yards out to leave partner, Colin Rust, a ‘no pressure’ three foot putt to seal the victory, 4.5/3.5. Searles will now host neighbours, Heacham Manor GC, in an equally eagerly anticipated local derby in the last 16 in June.

Football

King's Lynn Town's season ended with a tight 1-0 defeat in the play offs at Chorley FC last week in the Conference League North. In a tense affair Lynn gave as good as they got but succumbed to an 84th minute winner from the hosts. Despite the disappointment, manager, Adam Lakeland, will be able to take heart from the improvement on the previous season. If he stays, this relatively young side will benefit from the experience and be looking to challenge for silverware next year assuming the club’s financial affairs are resolved.

Heacham Walking Football FC fought out a 1-1 draw at home to Long Stratton WFC on Saturday. Heacham took an early lead through an Andy Fletcher goal and should have put the game to bed with several missed chances before the visitors equalised. Heacham are now waiting to see who their opponents are in the second round of the Walking Football National Cup, having received a bye in the first round.

Cricket

The local cricket scene exploded into action this weekend, with all 1st and 2nd XI's in action.

In Division Two of the Norfolk Cricket Alliance League, Bircham fell just short, losing by 13 runs at Fakenham 2nd XI despite 56 runs from Tom King, whilst the 2nds lost by eight wickets to Downham Stow 4th XI.

In Division Three, Sandringham & Dersingham 1st XI were easily dispatched by Norwich 2nds, losing by 67 runs with Lloyd Richmond’s six wicket haul proving in vain, whilst the 2nds fell to a similar fate at Saham Toney losing by 91 runs despite a half century from Andy Walder.

In Division Four, Jonathan Forder’s 87 not out helped ease Snettisham 1st XI to a a morale boosting opening day six wicket victory at Aylsham. The 2nds lost by 62 runs at Brisley & North Elmham.

Thornham 1st XI started their debut season in Division Five with a superb six wicket win against Norwich 3rds, Adam Rosie’s excellent 93 not out the pick of the stats. Swedish import, Niel Wynn, helped the 2nd XI to a four wicket win at Beeston as he bagged an impressive seven wickets for 11 runs. Watch out for this guy as the season unravels.