North Runcton go joint top with win

North Runcton recorded an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Swardeston 2nds to go joint top of the league with Brooke, who they host on Saturday.The visitors got off to a flying start despite losing two early wickets to the bowling of Ben Coote and Kirwin Christoffels.Christoffels snapped up a catch off the bowling of Lucas Triffitt to leave the visitors at 78-3 off 15 overs.A hard-hitting innings by the experienced Mark Thomas was ended by a smart catch above his head by Mark Skipper off the bowling of Odi Modimokoane (88-4).The next pair at the crease took the score to 123 before a stunning catch by Christoffels off Jack Major.A 67-run stand was ended with a catch behind from Jack Hazel off Jasper Payne for 22 at 190-6.The remaining batsmen failed miserably with Triffitt picking up a second scalp and Coote claiming a run-out.Coote pulled a hamstring and was replaced for one ball by Jacob Lockheart in his fourth over (1-13), Christoffels (2-48 off 8), Triffitt (2-34 off 5.3), Odi Modimokoane (1-24 off 10), Jack Major (1-48 off 10), and Jasper Payne (2-26 off 9). During tea, a presentation of a bench was made in memory of club legend Philip Ringwood.North Runcton club president Peter Coote stood behind the bench with Phil’s wife, Wendy and Marcus, one of his twin boys, and paid tribute to his fine attributes. Coote reminisced about some of Phil’s big shots, either into the tennis courts or into the field at the other end. He also emphasised that he was a good friend of so many and would be sadly missed.The hard-hitting opener played in Runcton’s most successful teams of the 1980s, winning both the Norfolk Alliance Premier three times 1985,1986 and 1987, plus the South Lincolnshire and Border League in 1983,1984, and 1986.In his memory, the club has also announced the award of an annual Ringwood Cup for the player who hits the most sixes in each season.Runcton’s reply started slowly, carefully building up a momentum with a 93-run partnership between Kirwin Christoffels (41 with 7 fours) and Ben Skipper (60 with 10 fours).Mark Skipper made 30 not out at number three and both Jasper Payne and he saw Runcton to an early victory.Jasper Payne made the visitors pay with a top-quality 56 not out, including 8 fours and two maximums.