Photo above: History is made at Garboldisham CC as Kristian Williman opens the batting for the 1st XI in their first ever match in the Norfolk Alliance Premier League
The club made an excellent start to the season with all four teams picking up a win. The day was rounded off very nicely with the brilliant news that First team bowler Rob Fuller’s partner Leanne had given birth to a baby girl!
The 1sts very first game in the Norfolk Alliance Premier League turned out to be an absolute thriller that went right down to the wire. Visitors Downham Town CC won the toss and put Garby in to bat. Kristian Williman appears to have lost none of his good form with the bat from last season as he got the team off to a good start notching up 75 runs and the scoreboard was looking quite healthy at 100+ for just 1 wicket. But then the game was turned on its head as Downhams’ overseas signing N Kelly took a hat-trick. The scoreboard was steadied and Garby finished on 204 for 8 after 50 overs. Downham started slowly and 25 overs in, were 3 wickets down and still 100 or so runs behind. However, with the Garboldisham bowling attack depleted (Rob Fuller and Alex Hogg both missing due to unexpected hospital appointment and football injury!), the Downham batsmen upped their pace, took the attack to Garboldisham and started to pick up easy boundaries and it appeared that they’d coast home for a comfortable win. But Garby refused to buckle under the pressure and continued to take essential wickets, and come the final over of the game the visitors needed just three runs to seal a victory. As Downham pushed for the vital runs, Luke Rackham snatched a run-out, and with no wickets in hand, Garby pulled off a historic win as Downham finished 202 all out after 49.1 overs. Phew!
Before the game, Captain Danny Cash presented Aussie Dan Constable (pictured above) with his ‘baggy red’ cap. Dan has joined us for the season as our overseas player.
The 2nds travelled up to Sheringham and batting first, were all-out for a lowly 168. James Worby top-scored with 59. But never judge a match by just one innings! It was a bowler’s pitch and Captain Paul Feavearyear and the team turned the game around and bowled the hosts out for just 122! Here’s Fev’s match report:
On a damp, slow looking wicket, GCC lost the toss and were asked to bat. The new opening pair of Johnny Wyatt (21) and Tom Davey (2) made a solid and steady start, but both fell in consecutive overs, leaving GCC on 30 for 2 in the 9th over. GCC continued to lose wickets regularly, with batsmen getting starts but getting out. Ben Asker (12) was batting well when he received a poor LBW decision from the home umpire! Charlie Worby batting at three was the difference for GCC, playing sensibly with some lusty stroke play and making 59. After 29 overs GCC found themselves 126 for 7, but the tail batted well, using up the remaining overs whilst adding 42 runs for the last two wickets, with Karl Gooderham, Sean Taylor and Paul Feavearyear all making contributions. GCC were finally dismissed in the 43rd over for 168.
GCC knew they would have to bowl well, but conditions were on their side, plus they plenty of bowling options. Sean Taylor and Tom Davey opened the bowling, and kept the scoring in check, without making the early inroads needed. The first wicket fell in the 10th over with the score on 36, with Tom Davey and Sam Baker combining to remove the Sheringham Captain. Davey continued to bowl well with accuracy, barely putting a foot wrong in his spell and finishing with figures 3-22 from his 10 overs. He removed three of the top four Sheringham batsmen, including opener D King who top scored for the home side with 34. The change bowlers continued where the openers left off, offering few scoring chances and always looking a threat. Sheringham continued to lose regular wickets with George Gooderham taking 3 for 25 from his 9 overs and Karl Gooderham 2 for 19 from his 10. The only resistance came from C Moy scoring 32 with some late aggression. The final two wickets were shared between the second change pair of Ben Asker and Paul Feavearyear, leaving Sheringham all out for 124, in the 43rd over.
A good team performance from GCC, and a good start that I hope will be a much stronger season, in which we must be looking to compete for promotion.
Back at The Langley, the 3rds were up against Gooderstone CC. New captain Eddie Thorne won the toss and put the visitors in to bat, and in another low scoring game, Gooderstone were bowled out for just 143 with Peter Barnes displaying his old magic and taking seven wickets! In reply, Garby chased down Gooderstone’s total in 34 overs and finished on 144 for 5. Chris Pringle was the pick of the Garby batsmen with 59 runs. The team is pictured below.
Above: Toby Culling opens the bowling for the 3rds
It was a win for the 4ths but without them lifting a bat. They were due to play Hardingham but Hardingham were unable to muster a team and called the game off.