Swaffham cricketers beaten in Broke Cup final

Swaffham’s hopes of Broke Cup glory were dashed by Norwich at the final hurdle on Monday.

The club suffered an 82-run defeat in the Mid-Norfolk Sunday Cricket League showpiece at Sprowston Cricket Club.

Swaffham won the toss and elected to bowl.

Swaffham cricketers before their Broke Cup final. Pictured back, from left, are: Jordan Twiddy, Joe Bayliss, Jack Dennis, Ben Mills, Dave Annakin, Liam Exley. Front: Blake Davies, Dillon Walker, Oil Wynne, Toby Wynne, Joe Friend

After taking three Norwich wickets before only five runs were on the board and reducing them to 78 for 5, Swaffham looked set for a successful day.

There was an excited buzz going around the ground.

However, it took a determined 39 not out by former Norfolk fast bowler, Aaron Watson who, together with Luc Brister 20, put on a ninth-wicket partnership of 53 runs that swung the match.

Other significant Norwich performances, with the bat, came from Buzz Kemp 30 and Steven Clarke 26.

The Norwich innings closed at 175 for 9.

Swaffham’s outstanding bowler was Jack (Denzie) Dennis who took 3 for 39 in his eight overs.

He was ably assisted by Joe Friend (2 for 10).

In reply, Swaffham lost a couple of early wickets before skipper Liam Exley steadied the innings with a well-crafted and determined top score of 34.

Frustratingly for him, wickets kept falling at the other end, just as things were looking up.

Swaffham were eventually dismissed for 92 runs.

The pick of the Norwich bowling was Luc Brister who took 4 for 20 and the formidable Aaron Watson whose miserly performance produce one wicket for just five runs off seven overs.

After the final, Mid-Norfolk Sunday Cricket League chairman, Colin King said: “There could only be one Man of the Match and that was Aaron Watson.

“It was not just for his bowling, which restricted Swaffham and thereby put additional pressure on their batting, but when he came to the wicket with just 83 runs on the board, Norwich were looking down the barrel of a humiliating defeat.

“His batting, quite simply, changed the course of the match.”

King concluded by saying, “This was a wonderful day’s cricket. The weather was kind to us and the Sprowston Cricket Ground has never looked better.

“My thanks go to Phil Dix and his team for hosting us all so splendidly. The perfect end to a perfect day.”

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