North Runcton triumph at Cromer thanks to Coote century

It was well worth the wait to witness a masterful batting display from man-of-the-match Ben Coote as North Runcton defeated Cromer.

Coote scored an unbeaten century with 11 fours and 8 sixes as Runcton racked up 198-7 in a match reduced to 30 overs due to the threat of heavy rain.

That decision was fully justified as just five minutes after the final ball of the match the heavens opened.

Runcton won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Michael Crisp and Jonathan Forder started slowly finding it difficult against Bradshaw and Warnes.

Crisp went with the score at 10 and Mark Skipper followed at 25.

Coote entered proceedings and accelerated the scoring with some blistering stroke play, taking the score to 77 before Forder was caught-and-bowled for 26.

Other batsmen came and went whilst Coote remained in charge while Harvey Cross made 14 towards the end as the innings closed.

In reply, Tom Davies was bowled by Ben Skipper.

Harry Williams had a charmed life, being dropped by Darryn Faivelowitz, off Ben Coote, and by Crisp, off George Means.

He was eventually out for 24 before Nat Laws made a well-made 42 before he was the third wicket to fall at 110. The Runcton bowlers refused to let the batsmen dominate and Cromer fell more and more behind the clock. Good bowling performances and excellent field placements were key.

Everyone chipped in with Joe Gent and Michael Annakin picking up two wickets each.

Means and Cross took two excellent catches in the deep. The home team were thankful to see the flight and guile of Harry Lankfer for the last over of their innings.

Credit to Runcton wicketkeeper Darryn Faivelowitz, who made some miraculous stops to prevent any byes.

North Runcton seconds saw their clash with Great Melton abandoned.

Great Melton won the toss and elected to bat.

Tom Chudley and Amy Cubitt opened the bowling for North Runcton and bowled tightly without claiming an early wicket.

Chudley bowled especially well, only going for 12 runs off his first six overs.

Pick of the bowlers Callum Eke then came into the attack and offered control, dismissing both Great Melton opening batsmen.

Eke’s exceptional spell saw him gain figures of 8-1-25-2.

Lucas Triffitt also bowled well, showing good consistent lines and lengths and rightly earned himself a wicket.

Spinners Phoenix Sherry and Jack Major bowled well in partnership atr the end part of Great Melton’s Innings. As Great Melton started to look to accelerate both bowlers showed great skill and courage, and we rewarded with a wicket each.

Great Melton ended 214-7 at the end of their 40 overs.

With the match evenly poised and an eventful second innings imminent, the heavens opened.