Fakenham beaten in Senior Cup final

In a rollercoaster of a match, Barney beat Fakenham by four wickets in the final of Hunts County Bats Norfolk Senior Cup.On a pitch that offered few demons, both sides struggled to mount a meaningful score in this much-anticipated derby clash.The match started with a sparkling cameo from Phoenix Sherry (20) including two magnificent sixes.His dismissal changed the whole dynamic of the match.Suddenly the persistence and bowling guile of Aaron Riseborough (2 for 25) started a process that undermined Fakenham’s whole approach.The whole bowling line-up deserves a mention: Liam Riseborough (2 for 3), Tom Davey (2 for 8) and Charlie Page (2 for 14).It was impressive to see them bowling as a unit. In the field, Jacob Seed fired in a spectacular direct hit to run out Fakenham’s danger man Luke Caswell (7). Fakenham lost their final wicket on 53.One hesitates to suggest that Barney were overconfident about being able to knock off the runs and the twists and turns of this engrossing match extended deep into their innings.The innings started with a brief hard-hitting performance from Harry Nunn (20) including a towering six. However, his dismissal by Jack Rowley (3 for 19) brought the Barney innings to a screeching halt.All of Nunn’s swagger disappeared as Barney struggled to get the ball off the square. Gradually they inched their way but wickets were falling with alarming regularity.Ted Adams bowled a highly respectable (3 for 17). It took a cavalier innings by Man of the Match Charlie Page (14 not out) to put the result beyond doubt.Barney finished with 55 for 6 wickets.After the match, competition organiser Colin King said: “So often, it is the low-scoring matches that prove to be the most exciting and this match swung both ways.”Fakenham threatened to mount a massive total only to be subdued. Likewise from Barney.”King continued: “It was a pleasure to award Charlie Page his Man of the Match trophy that included a £300 bespoke cricket bat courtesy of Hunts County Bats.”With both bat and ball, he imposed himself upon the match. It was a great day’s cricket, the sun shone, Sprowston Cricket Ground looked wonderful and we all had some nail-biting cricket to send us home happy.”