1st and 2nd Saturday Teams – Norfolk Cricket League Divisions 1W and 2W

May

It was a tricky start to the season for the club, with multiple absences owing to university, A-level and GCSE exams. However, the club pulled together to field full sides in every game, pulling players from retirement and with many more helping out to ensure the games could go ahead.

After a difficult start, with both the first and second teams losing their first two league games, fortunes began to turn, with the first team winning four games in a row.

The highlight of the season so far without doubt was Dani Long-Martinez scoring a club record 228 in the game against Snettisham, with a monstrous 21 fours and 18 sixes. Rarely has Salle seen anything as destructive, with his innings helping the side to a mammoth 379-7 and a 146-run victory.

Runs have been plentiful at Salle, on some great batting tracks served up by head groundsman, Joe Hollis, making for entertaining cricket.

Pictured: George Wright (right) hands Dani Long-Martinez his man-of-the-match award after a club record score of 228. Photo: submitted

June

Saturday 4 June

A weekend of mixed fortunes for the Churches. The First XI won at home to Felthorpe, while the Second XI came up short in their visit to Drayton.

Batting first, the First XI amassed 343/7, with Toby Armiger (87), Will Allen (87) and Tristan Peters (80) scoring the bulk of the runs.

Tristan cemented his man-of-the-match performance (even if he will have to wait three years to be able to legally drink his man-of-the-match beer) with three wickets (3-24) in the second innings, with James Hardy (3-49) delivering another great 10-over spell on an unforgiving pitch for the bowlers, bowling Felthorpe out for 212.

Over at Drayton, the Second XI’s 149 all out (Archie Gibbs top scoring with 33) proved not to be enough, despite the valiant efforts of Nathan Raines, whose wily spin returned figures of 4-33.

Pictured: 1st XI captain Raj Chaudhary (left) presents man of the match Tristan Peters with his award. Photo: submitted

Saturday 11 June

At the weekend, the First XI slipped to defeat away at Wensum. A poor batting performance saw us bowled out for 114, Will Allen (35) and Harrison Atkinson (25 n.o.) helping post a modest target after being reduced to 43-5.

In reply, Wensum made hard work of the total, but reached it six wickets down and were much the better side on the day. Nathan Raines followed up his four-for from the week before on the same ground with 3-29, his flight and guile almost dragging us back into the contest.

Much better fortunes for the Second XI, who reached 289-3 batting first at home against Beeston. All batters got starts but it was the strong finish from singer/songwriter turned cricketer Sam Smith (74 n.o.) who asked veteran Paul Harwood (75 n.o.) to “stay with me” to pile on the runs.

In reply, Beeston made a good start, but the hero of the day went from “Rockstar to Rockhard” with the ever-dependable Gary Hinchliffe bagging 5-53 to win the game and to prove to Sam that he’s “not the only one” who was going to win a man-of-the-match beer in a fine victory.

Pictured: Second XI skipper Andrew “Billy” Beales (centre) shares his man-of-the-match award between Sam Smith right) and Gary Hinchliffe (left). Photo: submitted

Midweek and friendly teams

The midweek and friendly teams have been busy in action over the past few weeks. The T20 team have racked up 641 runs across three games this season, proving a hard side to beat.

7 June

Aldborough were beaten at the Salle Cricket Ground (SCG), RSCC’s 221-4 –– Toby Armiger (88), George Wright (44) –– proving too steep a task for the opposition (118-5; Tom Griffin 2-17).

10 June

The SCG hosted a T20 friendly against touring side Oundle Ramblers, played on a beautiful summer’s evening in a great spirit.

While the result mattered not, it was great to see everyone’s favourite ice cream man Jack Austin with an unbeaten 50 and two wickets to his name to help win the game for the Churches.

Special thanks to the chuckle brothers, Billy and Nathan, for firing up the BBQ and keeping everyone well fed and watered.

Pictured: Billy Beales (left) and Nathan Raines keep everyone well fed and watered at the friendly against touring side Oundle Ramblers. Photo: submitted

12 June

The friendly side were once again in action, fielding a team of talented youngsters against a very strong Bircham side. Using nine bowlers in total, including some impressive spells from Elliot A, Theo L and Louis M, the visiting side posted 283.

With the target proving ultimately a bit much, RSCC posted 252 all out, with the returning Rob Allen stroking a glorious 113 to remind us of what we are all missing as well as cementing himself as the superior Allen at the club (excluding Trev of course).

15 June

RSCC racked up 219-4 away to Felthorpe – Toby Armiger (75), George Harad (42 n.o.) – who in return could only muster 110-9 off their 20 overs; Tom Fisher with 3-9 opening up, which meant the home side never got going.

Over 40s

Elliot Marks’ band of merry (old) men have continued to impress, sitting at the top of the Over 40s league table after seven games and five wins.

With five out of the top 10 run scorers in the league, including an in-form and yet to be dismissed Jo Kerkham sitting at the top, the batting unit is not one to be messed with.

Not letting up on the bowling front, Jonny Bundock tops the league bowling stats with 8/96 across the 20 overs he’s bowled so far.

Toby Armiger