Norfolk entertained Suffolk in the NCCA one day competition and the started was delayed until 12.30 p.m. because of heavy early morning rain at Manor Park. The game was reduced to 47 overs per side.
Having won the toss Norfolk asked Suffolk to bat first and the home side got off to a good start when two early wickets each for Ashley Watson and Andy Hanby reduced Suffolk to 29 for 4. Swardeston professional Joe Gatting and Ben Shepperson then set about repairing the damage with a stand of 73 before Shepperson (31) became Watson’s third victim. When Gatting was stumped by Tom New off Ryan Findlay for 54 the Suffolk innings could have gone either way but an excellent unbeaten 64 from 49 balls by Darren Batch helped by 22 from Darren Ironside saw Suffolk to 211 from their allotted overs.
The Norfolk response started well with Sam Arthurton and Tom New putting on 49 for the first wicket before New was run out. Arthurton went on to make 55 before being LBW to Batch. Whilst Stefan Marrilier was at the crease there was hope for Norfolk and he showed some intent striking two sixes in one over but when he fell for 39 with the score on 155 for 8 Norfolk’s hopes were fading fast. Debutant 17 year old Ben Wilcox showed a glimpse of his undoubted talent with one effortless six and there was a spirited last week stand of 26 from Charlie Rogers (22 n.o.) and Hanby but it was a case of too little too late. Norfolk were all out for 194 leaving Suffolk the winners by 17 runs.
Norfolk’s final group game is against Cambridgeshire at Peterborough on 4th July 2021.
