Batsman hits back-to-back double hundreds

Grimston opener Mark Tilbrook followed up last week’s unbeaten double hundred by scoring 208 in their Norfolk Cricket League Division 4 West win at Beeston 2nds on Saturday.Captain Andrew Tilbrook won the toss and chose to bat on a welcoming wicket, with father Tim and brother Mark taking advantage of the conditions.Mark retired out on 208 from just 90 balls, hitting 10 sixes and 28 fours while Tim went for 93 off 127 balls, bowled by Haydn Ellis, as the duo put on 316 for the first wicket.Making his league debut, Ben Wilson also went on to score impressively, making 91 not out from 59 balls with 14 fours and a six. Grimston finished their innings on 446-3 off 45 overs.Beeston produced a spirited effort as they faced an almost-impossible task in reply. There was a standout batting performance from Sebastian Parke (20) while James Laing also batted well to score 14.James Allitt was the pick of the bowlers with 2-1 in 4.2 overs as Beeston were bowled out for 102 in the 31st over.Andrew Tilbrook said: “Our aim is to get promoted this year after missing out in 2024, and we will take our chances when they come. “We know we will have some tough tests this year. Beeston are a great club and we always enjoy visiting their beautiful ground.” Grimston Sunday 1sts, captained by Harry Ward, elected to bat first at Bircham.However, a superb bowling attack from Bircham saw Grimston precariously placed at 44-5. Captain Ward stepped up to score 52, assisted by brother Archie (12) and Tom Wallace (20 not out), as Grimston finished with 151.Bircham opened their batting with the formidable partnership of Dean Studd and Adam Ward, with Ward eventually trapped in front by Tom Wallace for 24 and Studd bowled by Rutvik Desai on 40. The match was in the balance until Osca Davies hit a game-winning 24 as Bircham finished on 154-7 in the 31st over. The Lions’ development team bowled first against Long Sutton.Thirteen-year-old Ollie Hoyland took two wickets and there was also a first-match wicket for 14-year-old Ben Taylor Bunting while Liam Woodcock also contributed with the ball as Long Sutton scored 219-5.The Lions’ batting never really got going as they were all out for 51.Captain Liam Woodcock said: “We’ve said before that we don’t expect to win many games, but we want to have fun and it was mission accomplished.”