West Norfolk sports update

Heacham FC bow out of the FA Cup, a weekend for the wicketkeepers on the local cricket scene and bowls recap.

Cricket

In Division Two of the Norfolk Cricket Alliance, Sandringham & Dersingham have kept their slim promotion prospects alive with a tense 3 wicket win at Gt. Witchingham. Lloyd Richmond’s hat-trick of wickets and wicketkeeper James Haver’s 71 runs guiding them to victory.

Conversely, Bircham’s challenge is now all but over as they lost by 1 wicket at Mattishall, who chased down the visitors target of 218 with just three balls to spare. Adam Ward’s 85 runs the only consolation.

In Division Four, Snettisham are keeping pressure on the top three with just four games to go. They were 7 wicket victors at Rocklands, with Josh Herberts’s 4 wickets and wicketkeeper Lewis Jeavons’s 68 not out the pick of the stats.

In Division Five, Thornham have cemented their place in the two with a routine 9 wicket win over bottom side Denver with wicketkeeper Barney Gilder’s 67 not out and Louis Peckham’s 3 wicket haul easing them to victory.

3rd placed Reepham & Salle’s loss mean Thornham’s fate still remains very much in their own hands.

Football

Heacham FC exited the FA Cup on Saturday, after a 2-1 home defeat to Isthmian League side, Newmarket Town. Heacham will be disappointed after putting in a good shift against their higher league opponents. The visiting keeper was certainly the busier of the two No. 1’s pulling off a couple of excellent saves to keep the match goalless at the break.

Newmarket upped the ante in the second half, but it was a superb strike from man of the match, Harry Easton, that broke the deadlock as he fired sublimely into the bottom corner from 18 yards to put the home side one up. They say teams are at their most vulnerable just after scoring and so it proved as Newmarket hit straight back, levelling after a goal mouth scramble. Alex Oughton had been excellent for Heacham between the sticks but he misjudged the bounce of the ball late on and Newmarket stole the match with a simple tap in.

Heacham are back in league action on Saturday as they travel to Harleston Town in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

King’s Lynn Town FC have announced a new partnership with local firm Docherty Roofing & Cladding Ltd, with the home ground now being known as the Docherty Walks Stadium.

A new look Town begin their league campaign in the National League North on Saturday under new coach, James Rowe, as they entertain Telford United. They lost their last pre-season friendly 2-0 at home to big spenders, Spalding United, at the weekend.

Bowls

In the Bridges 3 Wood League, defending champions, Bircham Railway, continue to lead the way. They have also secured a place in the final of the Pete Waddison Memorial Cup where they will face Shouldham Yellows on September 6th at River Lane, the home of King’s Lynn Bowls Club (2.30pm start).

In the North West Norfolk Bowls League, Ingoldisthorpe BC continue to dominate, topping Division One, whilst Docking BC lead Division Two.

In the Norfolk Bowls Association Division One West, Hunstanton ‘A’ are presently 6th, whilst Hunstanton ‘B’ and Cliff Parade occupy the bottom two places respectively in Division Two.