Last year at this time we were bemoaning the lack of cricket because of the amount of rain that had fallen in the first half of the season. This year, again, too many games have been called off and to this has been added weather better suited to tea and toast by the fire. Fortunately, recent weekends have been genuinely summery and the spectators have been able to remove a couple of outer layers of clothing.
 
We took a gamble at the beginning of the season by entering a second team in the Norfolk League on Saturdays. This has made team selection for the weekend difficult, but at the moment the Saturday 1st XI is on top of Division 5 and the 2nd is clinging on in Division 8.
 
Our batting has been in general excellent and the arrival of Tim Nutting has reinforced this. Unfortunately, however, we have lost Freddy Harrison (moved), Harry Leggoe (work) and Danny Tipple (injured), and our bowling has suffered. We can score lots of runs, but can’t get sides out.
 
Regarding Sundays, we were over-promoted to the 1st Division of the Norfolk Sunday League last year and again we have struggled through lack of bowling. The Wright brothers (not Orville and Wilbur) have struggled valiantly, but we need backup for them.
 
Administratively, our Committee, superbly controlled by our Secretary, Stephanie Harris, has worked hard to enable to obtain a Clubmark, which means that we are recognised as an efficient club in all respects.
 
Part of this is the organisation of the Youth section under Paul Harwood and his excellent group of coaches. Wednesday evenings at the Salle ground are a delight with up to 40 boys and girls being expertly coached. Several of the older ones will be good enough to play for our Saturday 2nd XI next year. Further, we have been discussing an arrangement with Reepham High School that involves ground and ground staff sharing next year.
 
We are still awaiting both a lease for our ground from Salle Estates and planning permission for our new pavilion from the Local Authority. To the uninitiated these things seem to take a long time.
 
Jim Everton