Sports Update - W/E 7th & 8th Feb

Local teenager planning World Record sailing attempt, back to back wins for Lynn, Hunstanton men top the Indoor Bowls League & West Norfolk Ladies rugby team win

Sailing 

Local youngster, Faith Turner, is looking at making a Guinness World Record attempt by crossing The Channel in her Topper sailing vessel.

The Smithdon High School student has decided to take on the challenge to raise money for the Breast Cancer Now charity, after her friend’s mother was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Plans are already well underway with Marine Security, Rigid Inflatable Boat drivers, coaches and support crews already on board, whilst Topper UK have committed to support the crossing planned in for June. It is certainly no mean feat, with busy shipping lanes to navigate as over 400 vessels transverse the Channel daily.

15 year old Faith says, “My friend’s mum has been diagnosed with breast cancer and I would like to raise money to go towards treatment research. Please donate to my page today and help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”

With over £1,000 raised to date, you can donate to this worthy cause at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/faith-sails-to-france-in-a-topper 

Football

King’s Lynn Town made it back to back wins for the first time since November with a hard earned and impressive 1-0 win at high flying Radcliffe on Saturday to add to last weekend’s 2-0 win at home to Southport. Not a bad start to manager, Ian Culverhouse’s recent claim, that, ‘there’s no way this club’s going down’. 

New Blackpool FC loanee, Terry Bondo, came off the bench to net the winner at Radcliffe to secure three more much needed points on what proved to be a difficult pitch. In fact, Bondo saved captain Michael Clunan’s blushes after he had a penalty saved. 

With Culverhouse admitting the Linnets needed more firepower, he may have found the answer in Bondo. A delighted Culverhouse simply says, “we deserved it”. It’s amazing what a week in football can do to a club where there is definitely a more upbeat atmosphere.

After staring down the relegation barrel - Lynn were just two points and two places above the drop zone a couple of weeks ago - the two wins have elevated them up to 16th and seven points clear of the drop. Lynn welcome 17th placed Worksop Town tomorrow (Tuesday) evening (7.45pm Kick off).

Heacham FC’s jinxed game at Woodbridge Town was cancelled yet again! They face crucial matches against fellow strugglers in the next two weeks, Lakenheath away (14th Feb) and Hadleigh United at home (21st Feb).

In Division One of the Anglian Combination League, one of the most unusual games of the season was played out as Dersingham Rovers were beaten 9-1 at home by lowly Yelverton to hamper their promotion prospects. Amazingly Derse actually took the lead through a Sam Peck goal, but a red card for Lewis Curson saw the local outfit implode in the second half. Manager, Harry Collison, called the performance 'embarrassing and inexcusable'. Dersingham slip to 4th but have a chance to make amends next week when they welcome 5th placed Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves.

In Division Four, Dersingham Reserves also fell to defeat at Dereham Town Development. Missed chances and a last minute goal saw them slip to a 1-0 reverse. 

Ingoldisthorpe FC had an impressive 3-0 win at home to the Woottons to maintain their promotion push. Aaron Herbert and George Patience adding to an own goal to secure all three points. Chairman, Eddie Herbert, says, “A very good game, both goals well taken and I would like to congratulate Woottons FC and the referee for their performance, with the match played and officiated in the proper way.”

In Division One of the North West Norfolk League, Heacham Minors Development FC had a 0-0 stalemate at home to Watlington Reserves, whilst Dersingham Rovers ‘A’ were on the end of an 8-0 drubbing at West Winch.

In Division Two, Ingoldisthorpe Reserves 2-1 defeat at home to Gaywood has dented their promotion challenge, Kai Mayes with thorpe’s goal. Dersingham Rovers U23’s made it a weekend to forget for the local club as they were also beaten, 3-1 at leaders Clenchwarton Reserves.

Indoor Bowls

Hunstanton men’s Indoor Bowls team top Division Four of the County Bowls League for the first time this season after a very tight 4-3 (66-65 aggregate) win at Norfolk BC ‘C’. 

Leaders Lynnsport ‘B’s surprise 7-0 defeat at Wymondham ‘C’, means Hunstanton leapfrogged their local rivals to top the table with just four games to go. Greaves, Granger, Scott & Johnson were the top performing rink, leading the way in the tense win with a 26-9 lane victory.

Rugby

West Norfolk men had a walkover win against Newmarket on Saturday, meaning they remain 3rd in Division One East, close on the heels of Bury St. Edmunds ll’s and Stowmarket, as they look to make it back to back promotions.

The Ladies had an excellent 32-12 win at home to Ipswich, to lift themselves off the bottom of the Division One East table for the first time this season.