Fakenham win Norfolk Alliance thriller

Fakenham won a Norfolk Alliance Premier Division thriller against Norwich by one wicket at Highfield Lawn.

A magnificent century from Stephen Gray paved the way for victory after a crucial eighth-wicket stand with Phoenix Sherry rescued the home side.

On a glorious sunny day, Norwich won the toss and decided to bat.

Frankie Sutton and Oliver Higenbottom put on 57 runs with out much trouble until Sutton was caught by Luke Caswell off the bowling of David Coyle for 27.

The score moved on to 96 when Higenbottom was bowled by Coyle for 44.

The dangerous Chris Borrett was brilliantly caught at silly-mid-on by Caswell off the bowling of Coyle for 25.

A partnership of 126 between William Bowman and Ollie Sutton was finally broken with the score on 229 when a brilliant pick up and return to the bowlers end by Will Dunger saw the latter run-out for 45.

Charlie Nunn was caught by Dunger off the bowling of Lloyd Marshall for two before Bowman was caught-and-bowled by Inesh Chandrasiri for 85.

With the score on 250, Alex Mhandu was excellently caught in the deep by Andy Lawrence off the bowling of Marshall for seven.

Fakenham wicket-takers were Coyle 3-33 runs in a excellent spell and Marshall 2-40.

in reply, Fakenham chasing 256 runs to win lost the early wicket of Ben Harvey for nought.

A partnership of 42 runs between Dunger and Stephen Gray was broken when the former was caught in the deep for 23 runs.

Caswell soon followed for only four runs while another useful partnership of 44 between Gray and Chanrasiri took the score to 92 before Chanrasiri was out stumped for 28.

Fakenham were left on 136 for 5 after Aaron Riseborough was dismissed leg-before-wicket for 20 after sharing a partnership of 44 runs with Gray.

The hosts were left in deep trouble as Andy Lawrence and Marshall were dismissed in quick succession to leave the score on 162 for 7.

Gray was joined by Phoenix Sherry and between them they put on a stand of 77 runs with Gray completing his hundred.

Sherry was eventually caught for a very valuable knock of 33 runs and by the start of the 49th over Fakenham had moved on to 249 for 9 when Gray was given out leg-before-wicket after a magnificent 115.

Oscar Campbell came in to partner Coyle and any of three results were possible at this stage.

Campbell stepped up to the mark and finished the game off in style with a four through fine square-leg off the final ball of the 49th over.

Match and matchball sponsor: Whinhill Norfolk Cider Ltd.

Barsham Brewery man-of-the-match: Stephen Gray.

Division Three: Downham 3rds 159-8 (L. Matthews 2-28) lost to Fakenham 2nds 325-4 (H. Futter 133no, K-M. Fairlie 58, P. Lough 41, B. Ashford 31, A. Jarvis 22no) beat Downham 3rds by 166 runs.

Norfolk League Division Two West: Reepham and Salle 2nds 185 (F. Page 6-47, J. Watts 2-30) beat Fakenham 183 (Raj Rathod 39, Alex Walpole 35, Sam Holt 23) by two runs.

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