Depleted Fakenham too strong for North Runcton

Fakenham – last season’s Premier League champions – brushed aside North Runcton by a century of runs in the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division on Saturday.

The home side were not at full strength and, when they are, look favourites to retain the title.

Despite a good victory against Garboldisham the previous week, North Runcton were found wanting.

Runcton won the toss and on a cold damp overcast day and asked the hosts to bat.

Other than Kirwin Christoffels, the visitors were found lacking in all areas and were not helped with captain Ben Coote injured and unable to bat and bowl.

Fakenham openers Ben Harvey and John Ewart built a good platform, putting on 86 for the first wicket.

After finding it difficult to hold his feet, Christoffels changed ends and had success by removing Ewart leg-before-wicket for 35 off 76 balls.

He then had Steve Gray brilliantly caught by Coote at slip for nought, both wickets falling at 86.

Coote repeated his slip catch to remove Harvey for 46 off 97 balls – a third wicket for Christoffels – as Fakenham were reduced to 91-3 off 30 overs.

Although there were good tight spells from Jack Major (0-26 off 10 overs) and Sam Phillips (0-26 off seven), Fakenham batters Andy Lawrence 38 off 30 and Aaron Riseborough 31 off 19 made hay from the rest of the Runcton attack both scoring more than a run a ball as they accelerated the scoring.

They were particularly severe upon Will Lankfer (2-68 off 10), Jasper Payne (1-56 off seven) and Michael Annakin (0-33 off six).

Lawrence was removed caught-and-bowled by Kirwin Christoffels who finished his 10 overs by bowling Oscar Campbel to finish with the excellent figures of 5-30 off 10 as Fakenham posted 244-9.

In reply, Runcton started well with Michael Crisp and Kirwin Christoffels providing an opening partnership of 61 before Crisp (38 off 62) was the first wicket to fall, one of three victims for the young Oscar Campbell 3-35 off 10.

Fakenham captain David Coyle took the critical wicket of Christoffels for 20, his six-over spell costing a mercenary 1-5.

None of the remaining Runcton batsmen were able to build an innings against the accurate Fakenham bowling.

Luke Caswell (1-24), Lloyd Marshall (1-41), Phoenix Sherry (1-26), and Aaron Riseborough (2-4) took the wickets to dismiss the visitors for 141.

Sam Phillips made 15, Alexander Payne 10 and Jack Major an unbeaten 16 as others floundered.

Match sponsor: William Blyth Rooftile Manufacturer.

Matchball sponsor: Gerald Rawlings (honorary life member).

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