Cromer seconds stamped their authority on the Norfolk Alliance Division Five in sensational style on Saturday, thrashing the league leaders Halvergate by ten wickets with a superb display of aggressive cricket.
Halvergate came to the Norton Warnes with an unbeaten record, but went home licking their wounds as Cromer’s second string dominated the game from start to finish, first with their bowlers hustling the visitors all out for 146, then opening pair Alan Lithins and Richard Graveling knocking off the required runs with ease in just 24.3 overs.
The Halvergate batsmen had made at least 200 in every innings so far this season, but the Cromer attack came out firing on all cylinders. Skipper Lithins handed the new ball to the miserly Winterbone and the maverick Taylor, and was immediately rewarded as top gun Taylor roared through Hannant’s defences, then had the Halvergate ice man Clarke caught behind for 11.
Every bowling change Lithins made paid off – Buck bowled Brister, Kevin Neale had the dangerous London well caught by a tumbling brother Gavin, and Alex Craske snapped up Hill and Howley in a super spell of 2-17.
By now the previously-impervious Halvergate batting lineup was in disarray, and although Stephen Cook provided some resistance with an unbeaten 54, Neale had Dave Cook superbly taken at slip by Gascoyne, and Winterbone snagged Peagram lbw. Sam Dickens applied the coup de grace, cleaning up the tail with Crane and Booth both bowled for ducks.
The league leaders were back in the pavilion for their lowest score of the year, and Cromer smelled blood as their openers strode to the crease amidst the circling stormclouds.
Lithins and Graveling made ther intentions clear by laying into the Halvergate attack with some style, Lithins with an high-class array of shots all round the wicket, and his partner hooking and driving with impunity. The only hinderance came as the rain started to fall, but the cricketing gods were smiling on Cromer and, just as conditions were worsening, the downpour eased. Commendably the visitors made no fuss about staying on as the heavens opened and fielding and bowling became difficult.
Lithins needed no further invitation, ruthlessly punishing anything loose to bring Cromer to the brink of victory, and when Graveling delicately glanced to fine-leg for four Cromer had sealed the win in under twenty-five overs, and with it 22 vital points.
Cromer stay third, despite their convincing win, although with new leaders Bradenham home and away in the next three fixtures after this week’s visit from Diss, it’s still all up for grabs in Division Five.
How Halvergate saw it....