SEASON 2024
Norfolk beat Cheshire in NCCA Trophy final at Wormsley
Wilcox the hero as Norfolk claim Trophy win
By Paul Bolton
Ben Wilcox led Norfolk to their first silverware in 15 years with a brilliant century which clinched a six-wicket win over Cheshire in the National Counties Trophy final at Wormsley.
Norfolk chased down a target of 258 with more than five overs to spare to complete the highest successful run chase in a final at Wormsley, with Wilcox and wicketkeeper Charlie Hood – with a competition-best 73 not out – sharing a Norfolk record fifth-wicket partnership of 159.
To have two homegrown youngsters – Wilcox is 21 and Hood just 19 – at the crease at the end was a source of great pride for Norfolk coach Tom New, especially after Sam Arthurton and Josh Cobb, their two star batters, had fallen cheaply.
Arthurton, whose brilliant form had swept Norfolk to the final, fell second ball for a single and Cobb, the county’s professional, went for a fourth ball duck.
But Wilcox remained unflappable and rescued Norfolk from an unpromising position at 99 for four to see them home without further alarm.
Norfolk’s win secured them the Trophy for the sixth time, but the first since 2009 when skipper Arthurton made his debut in the competition.
“When Sam and Josh were out I thought it was going to be a tough run-in for us ,” New admitted.
“But the big thing is that we have worked hard over the last couple of years preparing the young lads for these sort of scenarios and thankfully today Benny and Hoody were exceptional.
“Full credit to them for the dedication they have put in to improve themselves and Norfolk County Cricket Club.
“For the last four or five years we have been blooding the youngsters so that they get used to these situations and they can go on and win games for us.
“To chase down that total with more than five overs and to win the game in the manner they did is some feat and they should be extremely proud of themselves.”
For once Cheshire’s batters could not dominate as they had in their previous four completed matches but they grafted hard and got themselves to what appeared to be a competitive total.
Norfolk succeeded in restraining the in-form Sam Perry so it was Rob Sehmi who was the chief aggressor in an opening partnership of 63.
Sehmi fell when he drove Brett Stolworthy to extra cover and was quickly followed by Alex Money, who slashed Calum Metcalfe to Arthurton at slip.
Perry accumulated quietly and looked nailed on for another half-century until, on 47, he gave Cobb the charge and was stumped by Charlie Hood.
Luke Young stabilised the innings but Cheshire lost momentum when three wickets went down for two runs in successive overs.
Nick Anderson and Steven Green went LBW to Cameron Graveling and Cobb respectively with Young being run out in between for a patient 36 when he set off for an unlikely single to Arthurton at square leg and was sent back.
Cobb, who is on a white ball contract with Worcestershire, finished with three for 37 from 10 overs of clever off-spin but Cheshire were able to accelerate once he had bowled his overs.
At 165 for seven, Cheshire were in danger of falling short of a competitive total but Dearden and Andrew Jackson added 37 in a resourceful eighth-wicket partnership before Jackson was taken at extra cover.
Chris Sanders then joined Dearden in what proved to be a significant unbroken ninth wicket stand of 55 in the last seven overs of the innings.
Dearden hustled and bustled his way to 40 not out from 49 balls while Sanders straight drove Graveling for four then pulled the next ball for six to finish on 29 not out from 20 balls.
Sanders inflicted further damage on Norfolk with his first ball – and the seventh of their innings – when Arthurton went caught behind to a legside strangle having added only a single to his previous 535 runs in this season’s tournament.
Arthurton was clearly disappointed with the decision and dragged himself back to the pavilion but Cheshire were jubilant at having removed Norfolk’s danger man so quickly.
Norfolk recovered from that setback with Ethan Metcalf and Wilcox adding 66 in a fluent second-wicket partnership before Metcalf was unfortunately run out for 35.
Wilcox pushed Young into the offside and set off for a single, but Metcalf slipped at the other end and, with no chance of making his ground at the striker’s end, sacrificed himself.
There was no luck about the third wicket as left-arm seamer Young bowled Cobb for a duck with a full-length delivery.
Wilcox completed the first half-century of the match from 52 balls but Jordan Everett then holed out to short midwicket to give Young his second wicket.
That left Norfolk wobbling on 99 for four but Wilcox maintained his composure and turned the match around in a superb partnership with Hood.
Cheshire captain Dearden rang the bowling changes in an attempt to make a breakthrough but for once slow left-armers Steven Green and Xander Selby were unable to oblige.
Instead, Wilcox left his previous Trophy best of 65 behind and reached his century from 102 balls.
The century partnership was raised in 103 balls and the pair accelerated away to victory which was celebrated by a large contingent of Norfolk supporters.
This was Cheshire’s first Trophy defeat of the season and captain/coach Dearden admitted they had saved their wort performance for last.
“We would have liked a few more on the board but you have to give credit to the two Norfolk boys, that was a brilliant partnership,” he said.
“There wasn’t much we could have done. There were a couple of half-chances but, that’s cricket.
“But that is why National Counties cricket there are so many good youngsters coming through.
“Cheshire cricket is in a brilliant place at the moment. We have a lot of youngsters coming through and we are looking forward to the future.
“I’m so proud of the cricket we have played in this competition. Our T20 and our three-day cricket hasn’t been the best but we can take some positives from the way we have played in 50 overs.
“It’s frustrating because we didn’t put the best Cheshire cricket on show today. I thought we did most things right.
“So while there is disappointment and frustration, most of all I am very proud.”
National Counties Trophy final
Cheshire 257-8 (Sam Perry 47, Harry Dearden 40 not out, Josh Cobb 3-37)
Norfolk 258-4 (Ben Wilcox 135 not out, Charlie Hood 73 not out). Norfolk won by six wickets.
Sunday May 12th v Herefordshire CCC at Sprowston CC
Norfolk started their NCCA Trophy campaign with a convincing nine wicket victory over Herefordshire in front of a good crowd at Sprowston CC.
Skipper Sam Arthurton won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first. His decision was soon vindicated as Callum Metcalf struck early to remove Ben Chapman-Lilley before following up with the wickets of Jujhar Johal and Nick Hammond to leave in some disarray at 26 for 3. Captain Matt Pardoe the ex-Worcestershire player and Herefordshire professional tried to repair some of the damage before eighteen-year-old Arthur Wilcox had him caught by Alfie Cooper for 23 with the score on 39.
Ollie Walker (37) and Luke Tulacz (32) featured in a stand of 71 before slow bowler Cameron Graveling claimed the first of his two wickets dismissing Tulacz who was caught by young wicketkeeper Charlie Hood. Graveling then had Walker caught by Luke Caswell. There was some respite for Herefordshire with Imaad Mahmood and Luke Powell adding 36 for the seventh wicket before Brett Stolworthy got in on the act when he took a return catch to get rid of Mahmood for 20.
Callum Metcalf returned to the attack to have wicketkeeper Powell caught by his counterpart Hood for 24 when the score was on 157. Stolworthy with another wicket and Metcalf with his fifth wrapped up the innings without the addition of any further runs. Metcalf finishing with the excellent figures of 7 – 0 – 18 – 5. Stolworthy had 2 for 24 and Graveling 2 for 36.
Norfolk’s reply began with Arthurton and Ethan Metcalf the nineteen-year-old brother of Callum at the crease. The pair ensured there was to be no drama as they put together a stand of 130 for the first wicket. Both were impressive with Metcalf outscoring his senior partner and winning the race 50. When Metcalf departed for a superb 65 from 69 balls including eight fours and two sixes victory was all but in the bag. Alfie Cooper joined Arthurton to see Norfolk safely over the line for the loss of no further wickets. Arthurton was unbeaten on 67 and Cooper 14 as the victory target was reached off 32 overs.
It was a day to remember for the Metcalf brothers.
Sunday 2nd June v Staffordshire CCC at Smethwick CC.
It was an excellent day for Norfolk at Smethwick on Sunday where a superb bowling and fielding performance set the platform for a resounding victory against Staffordshire one of the strongest sides in National Counties cricket. Back-to-back wins in the 50 over Trophy see Norfolk head the group with two games to come against Shropshire at Great Witchingham this Sunday and Suffolk at Sudbury on 16th June.
Sam Arthurton won the toss and had no hesitation in asking the home side to bat first. Arthurton knew that his bowlers had to make the most of the conditions and his two experienced seamers Andy Hanby and Brett Stolworthy rose to the challenge. Staffordshire openers Callum Hawkins and Zen Malik never looked comfortable in the early overs as they played and missed as well as nicking a few that fell short of fielders. Malik almost went to a spectacular catch at slip by Alfie Cooper, off Hanby, but his luck eventually ran out with the score on 43. Hanby could already have claimed a couple of wickets prior to accounting for Malik when he edged through to keeper Charlie Hood in the ninth over.
That was the breakthrough Norfolk desperately wanted and was well deserved. They soon had Staffordshire in all sorts of trouble. Runs had been flowing at a decent rate for the hosts, but things quickly changed as Norfolk turned the screw and Staffs were soon in some trouble at 58 for 4. Home skipper James Kettleborough a centurion against Suffolk in the last game was the next to go when he edged Stolworthy to Cooper in the slips. It was then the turn of debutant seamer Joe Everett to get in on the act with a quickfire double. Hawkins, having made 32, was trapped lbw by Everett before Nils Priestley gave keeper Hood his second victim with a regulation catch behind the stumps.
Michael Hill and Reeve Evitts set about trying to rebuild the innings but had to be careful whilst Norfolk kept things tight with some superb fielding. The pair had progressed the score to 92 before, in the 27th over, Hill (24) edged the impressive Everett to Hood. This was the cue for Arthurton to introduce his slow bowling duo, off-spinner Josh Cobb, the Worcestershire all-rounder and slow left-armer Cameron Graveling. The pair did not disappoint with two quick wickets that put an end to Staffs hopes of setting a stretching total. Both departed with the score on 123 with Matthew Morris (13) trapped lbw by Cobb and Evitts, who had battled hard for his 30, bowled by Graveling.
Hishaam Khan followed when he needlessly perished to Ben Wilcox in the deep off Graveling and Rory Haydon fell to Cobb. Liam Hurt the ex-Lancashire player hoisted a couple of sixes in a breezy 26, but his cameo and the Staffordshire innings ended when he picked out Cooper at deep point off Hanby.
It was a nigh on perfect display in the field with the wickets shared around backed up by some tremendous fielding. Youngster Hood was outstanding behind the sticks.
The hosts needed a quick breakthrough to have any chance however, Cooper and Arthurton had other ideas and safely negotiated the new ball in an opening partnership of 73 where they were largely untroubled by the home attack. Arthurton was the first to go when he launched Tom Brett straight and was brilliantly caught by Priestley, who flicked the ball back over the boundary rope before completing the catch. Cooper brought up his half-century but was dismissed for 59 when he was adjudged lbw to Priestley. At this point Norfolk were 94-2.
Staffordshire never know when they are beaten and kept coming hard at the visitors as Brett (3-35) added Cobb and Freddie Fairey to his haul. Malik claimed the wicket of Hood, but Norfolk were never really in danger. Ben Wilcox played a very mature unbeaten knock of 39 supported by his younger brother Arthur to see Norfolk home to a famous victory. It was another great display by the young Norfolk side against a county they have not beaten away from home for many years.
Sunday 28th April v Lincolnshire CCC at Great Witchingham CC – no play due to heavy rain.
Sunday 5th May v Suffolk CCC at Sprowston CC – two matches played.
Norfolk entertained local rivals Suffolk in front of a large crowd at Sprowston CC’s well-appointed Barkers Lane ground. Unfortunately, the first game was marred by an horrendous collision between the new Norfolk professional Josh Cobb and Freddie Fairey when the pair bumped into each other as both were focussed on taking a catch. After a long delay, the two players were taken to hospital suffering from concussion but luckily there has been no lasting damage to either.
At the time of the accident Suffolk were in pursuit of a Norfolk score of 161 for 3 that was built around an excellent unbeaten 80 from skipper Sam Arthurton. Alfie Cooper 22, Ben Wilcox 23 and Freddie Fairy 21 n.o. helped to lift the final total.
A good bowling by display saw Norfolk restrict their neighbours to 134 for 9 with two wickets each for Andy Hanby, Callum Metcalf and Brett Stolworthy. There were also two run outs.
Game two saw Norfolk bat first again and with the two players out they brought in 18-year-old Arthur Wilcox who is the younger brother of Ben and a very exciting prospect for his senior debut along with Ethan Metcalf. Again, Arthurton led from the front with 33 and after being 57 for 3 at the halfway stage Norfolk upped the tempo nicely. Ben Wilcox with 24 and some lusty blows from Callum Metcalf (45 n.o.) including two fours and four sixes saw the hosts to 154 for 6.
In response Suffolk made a steady start and were 54 for 2 after ten overs. Callum Metcalf then removed the dangerous Ben Parker for 31 before Norfolk’s experienced seamers Hanby (3 for 15) and Stolworthy (3 for 20) ensured the second victory of the day despite a late flurry of 30 from Dan Shanks which took Suffolk to a losing margin of 17 runs when the innings ended.
Monday 6th May v Cambridgeshire CCC at Exning Park – two matches played.
Norfolk made the trip to Exning Park on Monday to take on Cambridgeshire who had won one and lost the other to Lincolnshire the previous day knowing that one victory would ensure they qualified. Norfolk again batted first in game one and amassed 163 for 6 from their allotted overs. Ben Wilcox with five sixes in 59 and Ethan Metcalf 31 figured in stand of 69 for the fourth wicket before a super little cameo from Charlie Hood with (21 n.o.) made sure Norfolk registered a challenging total. Ex-Staffordshire seamer James Cox weighed in with three wickets for Cambs.
Opening batsman Ben Claydon was in a determined mood and carried his bat for 72 as the home side chased down the Norfolk score. Ex-Lancashire and Leicestershire professional Wayne White with four sixes in an unbeaten 48 ensured his side reached the victory target in 19th over for a comfortable six wicket win. Hanby took three of the four wickets to fall.
In the second match Cambs elected to bat first after winning the toss. Claydon (42) and Ben Seabrook (37) got them off to a good start with a partnership of 60 inside eight overs. There were other contributions from Dan Andrew 26 and Lee Thomason 23 as the hosts ended on 162 for 8. Stolworthy 3, Hanby 2 and a fine debut bowling spell from Arthur Wilcox saw him take his first two senior wickets.
Norfolk knew to be certain of qualification they had to knock off 162. After a brief rain delay and the loss of an early wicket Arthurton and Cooper (26) added 55 for the second wicket. Ben Wilcox then struck three big sixes in a breezy 30. When Arthurton departed for 60 with the score on 146 for 5 and Callum Maetcalf followed soon after Norfolk still needed 17 from 19 balls with front line pacemen Cox and White pounding in. Norfolk captain Arthurton and coach Tom New placed their trust in two youngsters Hood and Arthur Wilcox. With nine required from the last over Hood pulled the second ball for six and the pair ensured victory with a ball to spare to qualify for the Super 12’s.
A key feature of the Norfolk side for the second game against Suffolk and the two at Cambridgeshire was that all eleven Norfolk players have come through the county age group system. Eight of those players were under 23 which bodes well for the future.
Sunday 19th May – Super 12’s at Horsford CC
The Super 12s format, brought in this year, was designed to give teams the chance to play more cricket to decide who makes it through to finals day. There were four groups of three team’s competing on Sunday across the country and the four group winners advanced to finals day at Boughton Hall, Cheshire on Sunday 26th May. Norfolk’s group included Hertfordshire CCC and Staffordshire CCC.
The first game of the day at Manor Park, which was looking in excellent condition following the hard work and investment put in by Horsford CC through the winter, was between Norfolk and Hertfordshire. Skipper Sam Arthurton asked Herts to bat first and Cameron Graveling got Norfolk off to a good start with the wicket of Tom McCormick from his second delivery. When Brett Stolworthy had James Latham caught by wicketkeeper Charlie Hood Herts were 15 for 2. Norfolk kept a tight grip on the Herts batting and only Callum Taylor with 69 from 47 balls caused any problems. Saif Zaib, the Northamptonshire CCC player, brought in as deputy professional for Josh Cobb helped himself to three wickets and Graveling picked up another two as the pair of slow left armers dominated proceedings. Herts were dismissed for 113 in the final over.
Zaib opened with Arthurton but was soon back in the tent after striking a four from the first ball he faced Zaib fell to a catch by Andrew Neil off Jack Plom the next ball. When Alfie Cooper followed with the score on 25 there was some concern in the Norfolk camp. The ever-reliable Arthurton supported by Ben Wilcox lifted the score to 66 before Arthurton departed when stumped by Ben Cowell for 40. Luke Caswell added 25 with Wilcox for the fourth wicket and when Wilcox (31) suffered the same fate as Arthurton it was left to the youngsters Ethan Metcalf and Hood to get Norfolk over the line from the last ball of 19th over to complete a comfortable five wicket victory.
Game 2 saw Hertfordshire take on the current holders of the T20 title Staffordshire. The Staffs openers Nils Priestley and Zen Malik set about the Herts bowling with some hard hitting to put on 121 for the first wicket. Priestley was the first to go for 66 from 35 balls followed by Malik 14 runs later for 49. The platform was in place for Staffs to finish with a challenging total of 181 for 5.
Hertfordshire were never in the hunt after being reduced to 7 for 3 and were bowled out for 83 in 16th over to give Staffordshire a comprehensive victory.
The final game of the day was a winner takes all contest between Norfolk and Staffordshire. Again, the Staffs bowlers were dominant as Norfolk slumped to 27 for 3and in an innings containing just four boundaries, they could only muster 82 which was never going to be enough against the strong Staffordshire batting line up.
There was some early joy for Norfolk as the dangerous Priestley was caught by Caswell with score on 10 and when Malik followed, at 25 for 2 there was a glimmer of hope for Norfolk, but skipper James Kettleborough ensured there was to be no drama and led Staffs to their victory target for the loss of four wickets in 11th over with an unbeaten 37.
Staffordshire who are a formidable unit deservedly qualified for Finals day where they will take on the prolific Berkshire in the second semi-final. The other semi-final will be Cumbria versus Oxfordshire.
For all the scorecards go to Norfolk CCC (play-cricket.com)
