Fakenham skipper sets sights on top flight return
Skipper David Coyle has his sights on a return to the East Anglian Premier League for Fakenham following an eight-year absence from cricket’s top-flight.
The club wrapped up the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division title last weekend as the club clinched a record-breaking 11th straight win at home to Brooke.
It completed a remarkable turnaround for the Highfield Lawn outfit, who only just avoided relegation last season with the very last ball of the campaign.
Coyle, who arrived at the club as head of youth development back in 2017, is no stranger to the EAPL after spells with both Clacton CC and Bury St Edmunds in the past.
Either Bury St Edmunds or Norwich are the likely opponents for his troops in a play-off and Coyle said: “The club’s aim has always been to return to East Anglian Premier League cricket.
“If we fail, we will be doing our utmost to be in a similar position next year. It’s essential we don’t stand still and we always look to progress our fantastic club at all levels.
“I have played senior cricket for almost 25 years and it’s the first time I’ve won a premier division title and others in the club are the same.
“For the club it’s an equally fantastic achievement, only the fourth in their history, and even more remarkable considering the nail-biting end to last season.”
With not one batsmen registering a century all season and only one five-wicket haul between the bowlers, Fakenham’s special campaign has very much been a combined effort.
“Essentially it has been a team effort,” admitted Coyle, who led the club to glory in his first year as captain.
“Last season, Steve Earl and myself took 65 wickets between us, this year we have barely 20 between us.
“The deficit has been filled by all the bowlers, but I guess the unsung heroes Yin Lo, Billy Buckingham and Ash Layer have been integral to provide the back up to more experienced bowlers in Luke Caswell, Keegan Monohan Fairlie and myself.”
A settled side and regular availability are the main reasons behind Fakenham’s dramatic upturn in fortunes.
“Essentially the biggest difference has been availability, and that was aided by the recruitment of players who were committed to Saturday’s being cricket day,” said Coyle.
“The likes of Ben Harvey, Ash Layer, Luke Caswell and John Ewart have made brilliant contributions on and off the pitch on a regular basis and as a captain that’s a great place to start from.
“Then you add in the best two signings any team in any league can make, confidence and momentum. Once they start being part of your teams performance, you can do anything.”
Second-placed Downham, who needed Fakenham to lose, also won on the final day of the campaign with a four-wicket success against Garboldisham at the Memorial Field.
With North Runcton finishing in third and Stow a place behind in fourth, it is believed to be the first time that West Norfolk sides have occupied the top-four places in the final league standings.
