Defeat for North Runcton

North Runcton suffered a 24-run defeat against Hethersett and Tas Valley on Saturday and now sit towards the bottom of the Premier Division table with Bradfield, Norwich, and Acle.However, it is early days being just match day five of 18.Fakenham, who sit just above Runcton and league leaders Downham Stow provide the opposition for Runcton’s next two matches.Ben Coote won the toss and inserted Hethersett and Tas Valley on a green wicket and restricted them to 160-9, an achievable total to chase.But it was not to be as there were five leg-before-wicket decisions, one of which was Kirwin Christoffels who looked in splendid form.If he had not been dismissed, then he would have probably got Runcton over the line.Christoffels made 57 from 83 balls and there were useful contributions from Alexander Payne 25 and Jasper Payne 17, also both dismissed leg-before-wicket as Runcton were bowled out for 136. For the visitors, Ben France their captain showed great experience batting the whole innings for 54 not out from 134 balls in their 160-9.He survived a great early shout from Coote when a straight one rattled his shin when the score was just seven. There were several other lbw shouts throughout the visitors’ innings but only one was given, one that kept low from Michael Annakin.Hethersett’s Jacob Rhodes made 27 valuable runs but survived a caught-behind shout when on nought.For Runcton, the bowling analysis was Ben Coote 10-2-2-13, Michael Annakin 10-3-4-25, Jasper Payne 6-1-1-17, Lucas Triffitt 8-0-1-43, Joe Gent 6-0-0-31 and Kirwin Christoffels 10-3-0-20.