New Found ‘Steel’ Inspires Dramatic Victory!
Read on for all the weekend’s action…
Norfolk League Division One
Aldborough (23) 179 for 6 beat Hardingham 178 for 6 (7)by four wickets
Rarely in the recent past and certainly since the days when Aldborough were in the Alliance over 15 summers ago have the eleven selected to play, stood up and chose to be counted. Many disappointments at the hands of Ashmanhaugh, Saham Toney and the likes when victories were needed to give the sight of end of season glory have passed with disappointment and fulfillment.
On Saturday Aldborough dared to break that mould and stepped tantalisingly closer to promotion to the Valhalla of Norfolk village cricket ‘The Alliance’. A victory against nearest rivals Hardingham and Rollesby’s defeat of Winterton meant Aldborough opened up a discernible breathing space at the top of the table. The future of the club is certainly not in their hands but the future of the season certainly is. If they can muster sixty more points, which in essence are three victories from the remaining three games then the title will go to empty cabinet that currently has no home.
Entertaining a Hardingham team with top pedigree experience in the brotherly pair of Jason and Barney Goodrum and the energetic youth of Duckham and Howes Aldborough had to look after the details of performance in this match. Winning the toss and fielding was the first moral victory. Hardingham were reduced to 27 for 3 by the bowling pair of Reeve and Board. Board a tall rangy smooth exponent of seam bowling was at times unplayable, partnered by the aggressive combative Reeve, Hardingham were certainly aware they were in a game. Board removed all three though; the pick being an instinctive caught and bowled.
Hardingham in typical fashion fought back. Barney Goodrum, with a tenacious 66 not out steered his side to a total well short of par but one that kept them in the game. Harris, The other Goodrum and Hearne played bit parts but the 178 was never really enough. In the field Aldborough were insatiable. Plumb and Armiger scurried, chased and stopped any ball that dared to be hit near them. Closer in Bacon, Nicholls and keeper Cannon threw themselves at everything and the resultant pressure that built served to keep the home side well on top. However it was so nearly different in the first over when second ball Ash dropped a straight forward chance off Howes. But that was the only blip.
In reply the tone was set first ball when the usually cautious yet measu red pairing of Allan and Cooper, exchange quick singles in Pietersonesque style in the first over. A series of wides and misfields then took the score too sixteen from two and Aldborough were away.
Clearly Allan and Cooper recognised the dangers of Goodrum and Howes and batted to a plan. With a small score to chase the key to winning was a solid start. The pair kept their calm when the frenzy and excitements of loud appeals and near misses were going on. The visitors were rattled and set upon their course of conceding fifty one extras in the innings. Aldborough showed their experience and their new found ability to win.
The opening wicket put on 68 from eighteen, and thereafter Nicholls helped calmly move the score along to 94 at half way. At this point the almost obligatory collapse nearly happened when three wickets fell on that score, which brought together Reeve and Bacon. Hardingham although were vocal at this point never really backed up the conviction they could win. The task was straight forward, less than four an over for twenty overs to win. Reeve not for the first time this season and no doubt not for the last, was required to absorb the pressure and allow the players around him to express themselves. Bacon almost on one leg started the trend and bashed quick runs, Plumb then joined the party. The young batsman clearly playing on nerves soon settled those with a big shot to the boundary. With Captain Reeve he helped advance the score by fifty in as many balls and with some lusty blows all but won the game for Aldborough. However he was dismissed flaying at a straight one, which brought Barnard to the crease. The hero of the week before, then made short work of the remaining runs and led Aldborough home to a deserved victory.
Aldborough are clearly good enough man for man. The have a batting line up that boasts league hundreds for those occupying the late order, where other teams in this division are lucky if a century of runs in a season goes to the man in that position. They have arguably the best attack with the ball too. No less than three players are consistently heralded in the top ten of the division each year. Do they have the temperament to grind out those wins required? The last two weeks they have shown they have. Winterton are the next opponents and clearly at their ground are not going to roll over. So in seven days Aldborough’s ultimate destination will be closer to being known.
KNIGHTS SPORTING MAN OF THE MATCH: Michael Board 12-1-32-4
Norfolk League Division 5
Rocklands ‘A’ (23pts) beat Aldboroough ‘A’ (5pts) by 3 wickets
With Aldborough’s first team vying for promotion to the Norfolk Cricket Alliance, 10-man Aldborough ‘A’ travelled to Rocklands to continue their own push for promotion.
Stand-in skipper Mike Cramp won the toss and elected to bat with the intention of putting runs on the board and thus putting pressure on the chasing team. Unfortunately the pressure soon turned on to Aldborough with 3 quick wickets going down leaving Aldborough reeling at 7-3.
Ben Briggs (29) and Matt Skinner (15) then came together and began to rebuild the innings, with the youngster looking in particularly fine form. The pair moved the score along to 43 at the first drinks interval at 15 overs. Sadly both batsmen went shortly after the interval and it was left to Aldborough’s lower order to salvage a respectable score.
After Tuthill came and went first ball to a fierce delivery from Ledboer, Bodymore (16) and Cook (11) played sensibly and hit the gaps left by Rocklands in the on-side. Seaman (13) provided good support at the end helping to drag the team along to a dismal 104 all out.
Aldborough came out after tea knowing that quick wickets were going to be the only way to get themselves back in the game. The bowlers duly responded. Tuthill struck early removing Doe with a fine catch taken by Cook at gully. Two further wickets fell to the young seam bowler putting the game firmly in the balance with Rocklands at 23-3. The introduction of off-spin from Cramp yielded two further wickets to leave the game finely poised with Rocklands at 51-5.
In his returning spell, Tuthill picked up a further scalp of Pearce caught by Fisher at gully, to give himself career best figures of 4-34. He also had an appeal for caught behind against the dangerous Dunning, which was given not out, a decision which came to determine the outcome of the result as he went on to make a match winning 44 before being billiantly caught and bowled by the promising Seaman. Hawkins and Ledeboer saw the game home for Rocklands in the 28th over.
Despite another heavy heavy defeat for the under strength A Team, they remain in second place with three to play.
Knight’s Sporting Ltd Man of the Match: James Tuthill (4-34)
Sunday Friendly
Aldborough (124/10) lost to Overstrand (162/10) by 38 runs
With Aldborough only managing to get seven players due to late call off’s and holiday season, it was generous of old friends Overstrand to donate two players to the cause to make a game of it.
Batting first the seaside club totalled 162 all out with good bowling from Seaman earning the youngster 3 wickets. Cramp starred with the ball though, twirling down his off spinners to claim 4 for 33.
In reply it was Seaman who starred with a controlled and stylish 42, his highest score for the club. Fisher backed him up wqith a solid 36 to end a series of low scores for the left handed opener.
On debut, Aldbrough Lions Football Club Manager Adam Brown did well taking a wicket and scoring 14 as he became the 57th player to turn out for Aldborough this year.