Sports Update - W/E 5th & 6th July

The Aussies were in town, Cliff Parade Bowls tournament in full flow and Heacham Manor GC charity donation.

Cricket

Sandringham & Dersingham Cricket Club welcomed the touring Melbourne based Crusaders on Sunday in the Robert Fellowes Memorial Shield.

Robert passed away last year and his wife, Lady Jane, who lives in Snettisham attended the match. Robert was a very good friend of Crusader’s delegate John Mackinnon sharing a tremendous sporting relationship for over 40 years. John said, "we were delighted to visit the wonderful Sandringham ground in memory of my good friend Robert”.

The tourists are in the middle of a busy 20 game plus schedule, which has included games against the likes of the MCC. Having won more games than they have lost thus far, John added, "it has been a physical, mental and intellectual challenge but everyone has thoroughly enjoyed the trip and we thank all of our hosts. Cricket has been the winner. We have only lost one player so far but managed to locate him asleep in his hotel room”.

For the record, a strong Crusaders team - who have fielded internationals such as Shane Warne in the past - won the match, with Sandringham & Dersingham Chairman, Adrian Nicol, saying, “we were pleased to welcome the Crusaders Australian touring team to our Sandringham ground for the first time Crusaders proved to be too strong on the day. However new friendships were forged and we look forward to welcoming the Crusaders team back in the near future. A wonderful day's cricket enjoyed by all”.

In Division Two of the Norfolk Alliance, Sandringham & Dersingham achieved result of the weekend at leaders, Norwich 2nds. The visitors skittled their hosts out for a paltry 102, Chris Smith with four wickets, and quickly chased their target down, James Havers scoring 91 not out, to win by 9 wickets. It means the local club are now very much in the mix at the top of the table.

In the same Division, Bircham came unstuck at home to new leaders, Fakenham 2nds. Liam Compton’s 98 runs and a half century for Toby Carter proving in vain as Bircham failed to chase down Fakenham’s 276, losing by 83 runs.

In Division Four, Snettisham beat Aylsham by 67 runs. Ryan Twiddy’s 69 and Kieran Herbert’s 75 runs setting them on the way, before Damien Twiddy’s impressive 5 wicket haul dispelled any chance of a successful Aylsham run chase.

In Division Five, Thornham had an excellent 3 wicket win at home to leaders Norwich 3rds. Captain Ben Harris’s 95 not out proving pivotal as they chased down the visitors score of 201 with just three balls to spare.

Snettisham Women returned to the top of the Shell UK Norfolk Women’s League with a tense 10 run win at home to Aylsham Women.

Bowls

The annual Cliff Parade Open Bowls Tournament is taking place this week. With refreshments available it is well worth a visit, with the key finals taking place on Friday afternoon.

On the local bowls scene, the season is very much in full flow. Burnham Coronation presently lead the way in the North West Norfolk League, whilst Ingoldisthorpe are the early pace setters in the Countryside League. Wootton Park lead the way in Division One of the Albert Victor League, with newly promoted, Searles BC, holding their own in 6th. In the Norfolk County Bowls Association League, Cromer Road based side, Hunstanton ‘A’ are presently 6th in Division One (West), whilst the ‘B’ team are 3rd in Division Two, with Cliff Parade winless at the bottom. In the Bridges Three Wood Bowls League, defending champions Bircham Railway lead the way. Organiser, Brian Stockdale, has also announced the Pete Waddison Memorial Cup semi-final draw, where Bircham Railway will host Flitcham and Heacham Social will welcome Shouldham Yellows on Saturday, 26th July.

Golf

Heacham Manor GC Senior Men’s Captain, Keith Whiting, and Ladies Captain, Phyllis Taylor, presented a cheque to Prostate Cancer UK for over £2k raised last year through various fundraising events and activities recently.

Heacham Manor GC Senior Men’s Captain, Keith Whiting, and Ladies Captain, Phyllis Taylor

Local man, George Brotherton’s annual Golf Day proved to be another huge success on Saturday with over 20 players participating in the event at Heacham Manor. Matt Sykes won the tournament scooping the £300 prize fund.