Harry Lankfer hits ton as North Runcton beat Diss in cricket Norfolk Alliance Premier Division
Harry Lankfer hit a century as North Runcton recorded a comfortable 130-run win at Diss in Saturday’s Norfolk Alliance Premier Division match.
Having won the toss and elected to bat first, Runcton lost three quick wickets to be reduced to 4-3. However, Ben Coote (31) and Lankfer (111) steadied things with a 50-run partnership and, despite the loss of Coote, Sam Phillips (80) joined Lankfer in a stand of 150 in just 20 overs.
Lankfer’s hundred came off 86 balls with seven fours and five sixes while Phillips took 61 balls for his 80 with four fours and four sixes.
Tom Tansley helped push the score up to 281 with a quick fire 35 not out.
In reply, Diss lost their overseas player Mbeki Joseph in the first over, bowled by Coote, while Jack Major took the next two wickets as the hosts struggled to 33-3.
A stand of just under 100 from the Tooke brothers kept Diss in the game before Phillips took two wickets in an over and Will Lankfer three in four balls as Diss lost their last six wickets for 10 runs. The Allen Tomas man of the match award was shared between Sam Phillips and Harry Lankfer.
Runcton Seconds bounced back after a defeat the week before with a strong performance to win by seven wickets against Ashmanhaugh and Barton Wanderers.
They now return to the top of the Cecil Amey Norfolk Alliance Division Four table, leading Fakenham by a useful 18-point margin.
Batting first, the visitors got off to a steady start, having lost an early wicket and George Angier looked likely to help them to post a big score as he passed 50.
However, on a hot afternoon, Runcton’s four-man team of dogged seamers toiled effectively for much of the innings, keeping the run rate below four an over and all contributing effectively, especially Jamie Ring who bagged 3-34 in his nine over spell, bowled off the reel.
Defending a respectable 203-9 after 45 overs, Ashmanhaugh and Barton Wanderers would have fancied their chances, especially once Tim Coote and Darryn Faivelowitz were sent back to the pavilion with the score less than 30.
However, this brought Jacob Lockheart together with Jamie White and, together, they blunted the visitors’ attack and calmy compiled a superb third wicket partnership of 149.
They both completed excellent fifties in their own inimitable and effective styles to get Runcton to the verge of victory which was duly completed as White accelerated for a safe win with four overs to spare.
This week’s game against third placed Swardeston will be quite a crunch contest in Runcton’s quest for promotion to Division Three next year.
Allen Tomas man of the match: Jamie White.
North Runcton’s first team hosted Norwich on Saturday for the start of their cricket week.
They then entertained Acle on Sunday before hosting a coaching camp from 10am-4pm on Monday (1st).
A match will then follow against Sandringham and touring side Sheffield Squirrels on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
A coaching camp on Wednesday is followed by junior training from 6-7.30pm with the Under 19s hosting Swaffham in a T20 game on Thursday night (6pm).
A golf day takes place next Friday before the festivities are finished next weekend with a home match for the second team against Rocklands on Saturday and ladies’ coaching from 10am on Sunday.
