Charlwood Picks Up

All-rounder Richard Charlwood has been named Cromer's Player of the Year in a glittering awards ceremony at Virginia Court Hotel.

The classy Charlwood was a consistent performer in the First XI's league and cup campaigns, as well as regularly Chipping in for the Sunday side.

Second XI Player of the Year was the outstanding John Battrick for a great display of nerveless seam bowling throughout the year, whilst Luke Barrett picked up the Most Improved Player award after his wicket-keeping saw him stumping for the First XI by the end of the season.

The Craske boys both walked off with trophies in a sensational debut year with the club, Alex picking up the prestigious Young Player and his older brother James clinching the Sunday League Player of the Season.

Roll of Honour

Biss Trophy ceases to exist

(from www.edp24.co.uk)

Norfolk cricket has been rocked by the news that the Stan Biss Trophy and Rose Bowl will no longer be played for.

Vauxhall Mallards' 74-run success over Swardeston in the Biss Trophy final at Brundall proved to be the farewell match for the long-running competition.

The Biss family has released a statement citing reasons for the decision to call an end to their association with the competitions.

It reads: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce that 2008 will be last season for the Stan Biss Trophy and Rose Bowl competition.

“The decision to end this long association came after much deliberation, following what has been a very difficult year in which certain events have devalued the competition and the spirit of cricket has not been upheld to the standard expected.

 
“We assume that someone or another club will take on the challenge of coordinating and sponsoring an alternative senior club competition for 2009 and the future, we sincerely hope this is the case and wish them well.”

Cromer reached the final of the Rose Bowl after winning the semi-final against Fakenham on run-rate, agreed with both teams and the umpires, The club  withdrew from the competition after subsequently being required to replay the fixture.

Club Statement on Biss withdrawal

Seconds in Alliance Division Five for 2009

The Second XI have been placed in a tough-looking Division Five of the new Norfolk Alliance structure for the 2009 season.

They are joined by Beccles A, Bradenham A, Brooke A, Diss A, Great Melton A, Halvergate, Wanderers A, Sprowston A and Topcroft A in what looks to be a good-quality group.

Two Defeats End League Season

Both teams rounded off the season disappointingly on Saturday.

The First XI were on the wrong end of a high-scoring game at Nroth Runcton.  Cromer racked up 279-6, with Rayno Arnedse contributing 89 and skipper Tom Davies 70, but the home side knocked off the runs after a large opening partnership.

The Twos, already promoted, went down to bogey-side Belton at Norton Warnes.  After restricting the visitors to 161, Cromer never looked convincing with the bat and succumbed to 125 all out, with Peter Gascoyne and Alan Lithins the only meaningful contributors.

Reports, cards to follow 

Seconds Promoted

Cromer Second XI have been promoted from Norfolk League Division Three.

The Twos needed a minimum of 14 points from their final two fixtures, but a waterlogged pitch at third-placed Kirkley means that Andy Van Greuning's side cannot be caught.

Chairman John Graveling congratulated the team.

"It's a great achievement, especially off the back of a few disappointing years.  The strength of a club can be measured by it's second team, and it's particularly pleasing to see such strong performances from the younger players in the side."

First XI Beat Topcroft

Richard Charlwood was the star with the bat as Cromer dominated Topcroft in the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division at Norton Warnes.

The visitors were hustled out for just 121 and Cromer knocked off the runs, Rayno Arendse scoring a quick 30 and Charlwood and Michael Warnes knocking off the remainder.

Report, card 

Great Wins from Firsts, Seconds

Both teams picked up brilliant wins on Saturday.

Weather Frustrates Cromer

Once more the terrible summer weather got the better of Saturday's fixtures, with both teams recording No Results.

The First XI got underway at Norton Warnes, winning the toss and inserting Lowestoft in hope of bowling points before the rains arrived.  And Tom Davies' plan worked, the visitors limping to 55-4, with a wicket each for Rayno Arendse, Michael Warnes, Dean Elliott and Richard Charlwood before the weather intervened terminally, to give Cromer 7 points.

The Second XI were abandoned at St. Andrew's, so go into next Saturday's title decider against Brooke at Norton Warnes with their healthy league average intact.

Rain Beats Rayno

Overseas star Rayno Arendse hit another Premier League ton against Vauxhall Mallards, but the weather prevented a result at Brundall.

Rain delays meant that bad light intervened with Mallards twenty runs off their target of 239.

Arendse stroked a magnificent 125, and Richard Charlwood showed his class again with 60.

The second team fixture against Norwich Union at Norton Warnes was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Mallards report, card to come

Warnes in Norfolk Squad

Michael Warnes has been named in the Norfolk side for the East of England Development Competition on Thursday 31st July against Huntingdonshire at Manor Park. 

Also named is big brother and former Cromer player Matthew.

Norfolk Development Squad
R G S Purton (captain)
O T Higenbottam
M R Warnes
S S Arthurton
N D Perry-Warnes
L W Caswell
M W Warnes
A J M Todd
A A Watson
D J Smith (wicket-keeper)
S J Thelwell

Arendse, Elliott Star as Firsts Beat Wanderers

Tom Davies' First XI kicked off the 42nd Cricket Week with a great win against Norwich and Coltishall Wanderers at the Norton Warnes in the Norfolk Alliance Premier.

Rayno Arendse's 68 was the cornerstone of the home innings of 166-7, with Colin Brown, Dean Elliott and Adie Buck chipping in with valuable runs, before Elliott with 4-40, Arendse with three victims and Michael Warnes with two bowled the visitors out for 151 in a rollercoaster finish.

Report, card

Fantasic Win for Twos

The second team overcame all the odds to pull off an amazing win against Diss at Rectory Meadow and maintain their momentum at the top of Norfolk League Division Three. 

Late call-offs and holidays left stand-in skipper Peter Gascoyne with just nine players, but John Battrick again bowled superbly to restrict Diss to 161-8, ably supported by Alex Craske, Nathan Taylor and the immense Charlie Webster. 

Gascoyne, however, was the star with the ball, leading from the front with 4-16 , and then after Richard Graveling (47) and Webster (36) had set up the Cromer chase, Gazza was there with a gutsy 30* as Taylor flicked the winning boundary to seal the Cromer win by 4 wickets (though really only one!)

 Report, card

Lottery Win For Cromer

Cromer Cricket Club have been awarded a Lottery grant by AWARDS FOR ALL for £6523.

The money is for coaching of young people during the next 10 months. The club have already purchased 2 mobile nets; a catching cradle and return net; coaching mats; quick cricket sets; junior bats and batting helmets; practice balls and flexible stumps, all of which will be on display at the ground on the afternoon of Presidents Day on July 27th.

 Visitors are welcome to come along to the clubhouse to see these and also enjoy the cricket. Money in the grant has also been allocated to pay for a coaching both during the summer and winter, and also for coaching courses. The aim is to have 50 young people being coached by next summer and eventually to form a girls/ladies team.

Twos Tie

Andy Van Greuning's Second XI tied a thrilling game at Cringleford in Norfolk League Division Three.

Jez Wright starred with the bat, his 70 holding the side together after quick wickets left Cromer 50-4, then Charlie Webster took four wickets as Cringleford chased down 179. The home team scrambled a bye to draw level off the last ball.

The First XI were on the wrong end of a big defeat courtesy of reigning champions Downham at Norton Warnes.

Cringleford report, card

Downham report, card

Frustration for Cromer

Both teams were left rueing results on Saturday.

The First XI came away from old rivals Swardeston with a losing draw, hanging on at 180-9 in reply to the home side's 248-4.  Richard Charlwood hit 39 and David Turner, promoted from the stiffs, made 20 batting at number three. 

The Twos were called off, rain defeating the best efforts of groundsman Gascoyne and willing helper Shep.

On Sunday the Lady Mary Trophy campaign came to an end, with a one-wicket defeat to Topcroft.

Swardeston report, card 

Topcroft report, card

Turner's Ton Treble

David Turner hit an incredible third hundred in seven days for Norfolk U-15s against Essex at Brundall on Sunday.

Turner's 121 continued an amazing run of form that started with a hundred for Cromer Colts in midweek, then a match-winning 110 for Cromer A at Loddon. 

Club Chairman John Graveling paid tribute, saying "It's very, very impressive - to get that amount of runs in a week is really fantastic.  We're all delighted for David, and we wish him continued luck at the Northamptonshire Academy this summer.

"He's one of a great group of youngsters we have at Cromer and I'm sure his exploits will give him and his teammates a real boost."

Turner's Taste For Centuries - EDP

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 Michael 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.

Report, card

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.

Report, card

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.

Report, card

*

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.

Report, card

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

*

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.

Report, card

*

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.

Report, card

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 

*

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.

Report, card

*

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

*

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

*

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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The Indoor team face the camera,