The third GreyPower Test Match was held at the Norton Warnes Ground on 8th July when the Gentlemen of Cromer entertained the Norwich Cricketers in Retirement.
The Norwich captain opted for the Cromer team to bat first and after a solid start the Cromer score hovered between 26 and 32 for some time as wickets fell regularly interspersed with some lusty blows. The Cromer team had three players making their test debuts; Martin Braybrook – an accomplished wicket keeper but managed only -1 with the bat; Roger Billings – a very promising batsman for the future who hit the ball with great power but sadly twice straight into fielders hands for a score of -2; and Terry Nolan who batted well but succumbed to a nasty injury when valiantly diving for a catch.
The Cromer batsmen had great difficulty getting the ball to the boundary partly due to their opponents deploying 14 fielders. In the end Cromer reached a score of 103 thanks to top scorer Bruce Hemmant with 17 and a notable contribution of 16 by Warwick Hooper. Ken North with his orbital projectiles was the best bowler for Norwich with 2 for 22.
The Norwich team got off to a great start with nearly all their batsmen making significant contributions especially Alan Query with 15 and Peter Morrisey with 11. The Cromer bowlers were struggling to find their usual incisiveness, as their failure to practice began to show. With the score at 91 and the last three batsmen at the crease (at the same time!) the Norwich task looked easy. However, as they closed in for an historic victory, nerves seemed to get the better of them. The unfortunate Gerry Ellis was run out twice by his runner and was left on -12 and the final Norwich score plummeted to 77. For Cromer Keith Dickens was best bowler with 2 for 21.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all and thanks go to Bridget and Ann for the excellent refreshments afterwards. Cromer now lead the series 3 to nil but are anticipating a fight back next year.
(PS For anyone who was watching and was confused by the score going both up and down, a short course is available at UEA – contact Chris Edwards Norwich 451871 for enrolement)