W/E Sports Update - 19th & 20th July

Only three local cricket games beat the weather, Heacham FC sign off pre-season whilst there was a record entry in the World Snail Racing Championships.

Cricket

Only three matches beat the weather at the weekend. The restricted over games all, however, proved to be important encounters as local teams move towards the business end of the season.

In Division One of the Norfolk Cricket Alliance, Bircham toiled against bottom side Martham. Captain, Peter Matthews, seemed to have set them on the way as his four wickets helped the local outfit skittle the visitors out for just 101. However, Bircham struggled to chase down their target and it took a late stand from Matthews again to see them over the line and win by just 1 wicket. The crucial maximum points haul does, however, keep them right in the promotion mix.

In the same Division, Sandringham & Dersingham’s promotion push was severely dented with a 9 wicket loss at Garboldisham 2nds. The hosts restricted the visitors to 79 runs - which would have been a lot lower had it not been for Paul Ingram’s 51 not out - and easily chased down their target with only one loss of wicket.

In Division Four, Snettisham secured maximum points, winning a tense affair at Swardeston by just 13 runs that keeps them very much in the battle for promotion.

This Wednesday (23rd July), as part of the Sandringham Flower Show, Sandringham & Dersingham Cricket Club will be hosting a team from the 8:56 Foundation, a charity that raises awareness of and provides support on mental health issues (1pm start).

Football

Heacham FC signed off their pre-season campaign with their first loss, a 4-2 defeat at home to Diss Town. Jack Prentice and Colby Wood with the goals. Next Saturday they travel to Hadleigh United in their opening fixture in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division before welcoming local rivals, Fakenham Town, on Tuesday, 29th July.

Snail Racing

The judges Nicholas and Ian aka the Snail Masters

In contrast to the cricket, the weather conditions suited the competitors at the World Snail Racing Championships at Congham on Saturday. In fact four snails - including Town & Around’s entry, Slimey - were in touching distance of a new world record which has been in place for 30 years. 

Slimey failed to deliver in the final, which was won by Bilbo Sluggins, trained by Shell Rowe from Essex, beating off competition from over 150 snails, including some coached by champion trainers from South Korea and France.

It was all part of the Summer Big Bash in aid of the Mark Redhead Foundation, which also included a charity cricket match. Despite the damp conditions, the afternoon proved to be a huge success with KL1 radio, food stalls, craft tents, a beer tent and live music all on hand to create a festival atmosphere for the thousands of visitors.

All photos: Ian Burt