Firsts Thrash Old Buckenham

The first team revival continued with a massive win over strugglers Old Buckenham at the Norton Warnes.

Richard Charlwood took 4-8 and Micahel Warnes 2-44 as the visitors were hustled out for 189, then skipper Tom Davies and professional Rayno Arendse knocked off the runs with 88* and 86* respectively.

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Turner Sets Up Seconds' Win

David Turner cracked his second hundred of the week as Cromer 2s sneaked home against Loddon.

15-year-old Turner's sparkling 110 - no other batsman passed fifty on a tricky pitch - was the cornerstone of Cromer's 197.  Alex Craske then cleaned up with five wickets, and though Cromer made hard work of the win with a shoddy fielding display, it was another 25 points in the promotion campaign.

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Cromer Withdraw from Biss Rose Bowl

Cromer CC have withdrawn from this year's Biss Rose Bowl, the final of which they qualified for with a win against Fakenham on Sunday.

The organising committee deemed the result, acheived after run-rate was used to settle a rain-affected game, was null and void, and the club were left with no alternative but to withdraw.

Match report

Statement

Cromer Reach Biss Rose Bowl Final

EAPL side Fakenham were beaten by Cromer, as the Seasiders went through to the Biss Rose Bowl Final.

Details to come

That's More Like It - Firsts Back on Track

Cromer banished the memories of three disappointing performances with a confident effort at the Norton Warnes.

Cromer made 211, with skipper Tom Davies hitting 40, and then Dean Elliott made it talk with four wickets as North Runcton shut up shop and settled for the losing draw.

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Seconds Carry on the Good Work

A quality all-round performance at bogey-team Belton saw Andy Van Greuning's side creep even closer to the promotion places in Norfolk League Division Three.

Kristian Regis (101) and Richard Graveling (97) put on a magnificent 211-run partnership for the third wicket, and Charlie Webster with 4-22 and three wickets for David Turner sealed a 133-run win.

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Warnes in Norfolk Defeat

Michael Warnes took the new ball for the Norfolk Development Squad in their latest fixture, but his side was unable to prevent an eight-wicket loss.

Warnes bowled well and took one of the two Suffolk wickets to fall, finishing with figures of 1-25.  His big brother, former Cromer player Matthew, top-scored for Norfolk with 53*.

Seconds Bounce Back in Table-Top Clash

Sam Dickens was the destroyer at the Norton Warnes on Saturday, as Andy Van Greuning's 2nd XI got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 80-run victory over second-placed Kirkley.

In a solid team performance, Dickens stroked 42 valuable middle-order runs and followed up with a stunning 7-40 with the ball.  Kristian Regis also hit 40 and took two wickets. 

The result leaves Cromer just a point - and .14 on average - behind Kirkley - and breathing heavily down the necks of the top two in Norfolk League Division Three.

Report, card

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Firsts slip up at Topcroft

The 1st XI's poor run continued with defeat to Topcroft, despite 39s from Michael Warnes and Colin Brown.

A total of 153-8 off a rain-reduced 40 overs was always likely to be inadequate, and Topcroft knocked off the runs for the loss of five wickets, albeit with just a few balls to spare.

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Sunday XI Beat Chapelfield

John Battrick was the star with the bat as Cromer notched up another win the Mid-Norfolk Sunday League Division Three against Chapelfield.

Battrick top-scored with 75, while Luke Barrett hit a quick-fire 50.

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Cromer Advance in Lady Mary Trophy

The First XI bounced back from Saturday's loss with a great win against Dereham to go through to the Lady Mary semi-finals.

Rayno Arendse was the star with 103, and skipper Tom Davies continued his encouraging form with a fine 75.  Colin Brown, James Craske and Charlie Webster all took two wickets in a 74-run win.

The second XI went down to a strong Mallards side, Kristian Regis providing the silver lining with a fluent 100 in a brave rearguard action.

Dereham report, card

Mallards report, card 

Double Jolt for League Sides

Both the First and Second XI were on the wrong end of results on Saturday.

Tom Davies' side went down by six wickets to Acle in the Alliance Premier, despite 68 from Michael Warnes, while Andy Van Greuning's Second XI put up a brave fight at leaders Brooke, eventually succumbing by 49 runs.  The returning Sam Dickens put in a useful all-round performance, with 1-52 and 38 with the bat.

Acle report, card

Brooke report, card 

Saturday Washout - but Big Win in Carter Plate

There was no play in either of Cromer's league fixtures this Saturday.

Rain played havoc with the programme county-wide, with the Sunday league game also called off.

However, the Carter Plate fixture on Sunday saw Cromer triumph against Thetford by 59 runs.  Rayno Arendse (60) and Tom Davies (27) put on an opening partnership of 87 in Cromer's total of 147-8, then James Craske, continuing his excellent debut season, ripped through the Thetford oder with 4-22, supported by Charlie Webster with 2-6, as Thetford were bundled out for 88.

The next round sees Cromer play Dereham on Sunday.

Report, card to follow  

Setback for Cromer

Cromer's flying start took at knock at Norton Warnes, as Vauxhall Mallards increased the pressure at the top of the table.

Tom Davies' side were dismissed for just 54, which Mallards knocked off for the loss of one wicket.

However, the First XI sprang back to winning ways with a 65-run victory over Saham Toney on the Biss Rose Bowl on Sunday.

Mallards report, card

Saham Toney report, card 

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Lithins in control at Norwich Union

Cromer's second string consolidated their healthy league position with a thrilling three-wicket win at Pinebanks. 

Alan Lithins top scored with 42, and Gavin Neale chipped in with a vital 19 as Cromer chased down 159.  With two balls remaining, and nerves fraying, Alex Craske sent one down to thrid man and Dave Green dived full-length to beat the throw and complete the third run which gave Cromer the win.

The Sunday League side carried on the good work at Cringleford Lodge, with another comprehensive win.

Union report, card

Cringleford report, card

On Fire - Another Big One for Rayno as Cromer Win Again

Rayno Arendse smashed his second 100 in successive league games as Cromer beat Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers by 71 runs to consolidate their place at the top of the Alliance Premier League.

Golden-arm Jez Wright claimed another three wickets, for just seven runs - making it an amazing six for 17 in the last two games - though Michael Warnes took the bowling honours with 4-23.  A big, big win for Cromer, and the excellent start to the season continues.

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Turner puts Diss to the Sword

Rising star David Turner hit 80 as the 2nd XI maintained their impressive form with a 35-run win over Diss. 

Andy Van Greuning's outfit's record now reads won three, lost one in Norfolk League Division Three. 

Report,card 

Cromer Dominate at Downham to Head the Table

Cromer went to the top of the Alliance Premier Division with a great result at reigning champions Downham. 

In a match reduced to 45 overs, overseas star Rayno Arendse dismantled the home attack with a majestic 108 in a total of 191-6, while skipper Tom Davies weighed in with 25.  Paceman Michael Warnes had Downham in trouble with 3-25, and all-rounder Jez Wright trumped him with 3-10.

Though Downham clung on to avoid the loss, Cromer's winning draw sets the club up for a real push at the Alliance Premier League title.

Report, card

Norfolk Alliance round-up

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Seconds Cruise Past Cringleford

Andy Van Greuning's 2nd XI got back to winning ways with a huge victory over Cringleford at the Norton Warnes. 

Alan Lithins cracked 70, and Nathan Taylor snagged five wickets, as the visitors went down by 116 runs.

Report, card

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Bitter-sweet for Cromer

There were mixed fortunes for the two league sides on Saturday.

The First XI had to settle for a winning drawn against Swardeston at the Norton Warnes, Rayne Arendse hitting 50, Michael Warnes with 45* and skipper Tom Davies 33 in a total of 246-8.  The visitors clung on grimly and at the close were 229-7, with ex-Cromer captain Darin Goodrum in the runs.

The second XI, hit by late call-offs, went down at Old Catton.

On Sunday, Luke Barrett cracked a superb century - the club's first of the season - against Gressenhall.

for more details click here:

Cromer v Swardeston

Old Catton v Cromer A

Gressenhall v Cromer

Van Greuning has plenty of experience of the trials and tribulations of Cromer Second XI cricket, and the delicate balancing act that the captains have, down the years, had to perform. Set aside the young players in favour of older, more reliable performers, or gamble on the kids in order to provide a base for the future of the club. It’s not a new situation and, with last season Van Greuning’s first at the helm, it was, once again, a tricky equation.

The cupboard is brimming with talent – when everyone is available – and the skipper is looking forward to seeing some of his young guns in action on Saturday.

“We’ve got a great core of youth at the club at the moment, who will be crucial in any success we might achieve this season.

“The bowling, on paper, is very strong. John Battrick, Sam Dickens, Kristan Regis, Nathan Taylor –all great young seamers who should be knocking on the door of the First XI – and experience in Dean Elliot, Ben Haughan and Alan Lithins, when we have him. David Turner made several good players look silly last year, and he can win matches for us with bat and ball.

“The batting needs to toughen up a bit. We have some quality players but they need to make sure they make runs, not wait for others to do it for them.

"Thanks to the repairs carried out on the ground last season by the chairman and his wiling helper (Shep) there will be no reason why we cannot practice hard at nets this year.”

With promotion the aim, the key will be consistency – won seven, lost seven was the record in 2007 – and Van Greuning is under no illusion that it’s going to be a tough campaign, with ten wins the minimum that might win promotion.  There are some tough teams in division three, and to win ten times is no mean feat.

“A sign of a good club is the strength of the twos, and it’d be great if we can be celebrating promotion at the end of the season.”

Cromer Sweep to Indoor Double

Cromer have been crowned as League and Cup winners for the 2007/8 indoor cricket season.

This was a just reward for some consistently impressive displays with both bat and ball since the start of the season in October. They completed their victorious winter with a 23-run win over Bradfield in the showpiece final.

Cromer lost three early wickets against some fine quick deliveries served up by Patrickson and bowler of the season James Craske. Skipper Tom Davies (34 not out) and Jez Wright (30) provided the meat of the innings, but four run outs saw the league champions dismissed for just 98 inside eight overs.

Determined not to let their opponents ruin the big day, Cromer fought back in an all-action innings.

Wright clean bowled Turner and Craske, and despite a fine knock of 40 from Olly Kimber, Bradfield slumped to 75 all out to give Cromer the Cup, watched by a good sized crowd from the balcony.
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