Fakenham bolster their batting strength

02 May 2008

Fakenham director of cricket Colin Brassett.

Fakenham, who managed to stave off relegation by winning their EAPL play-off against Sudbury at the end of last season, have strengthened their batting department after a string of humiliating low totals in 2007.

Norfolk wicketkeeper Stephen Gray has persuaded his brother, Phil, to leave Essex Premier League side Buckhurst Hill and link up with his sibling at Fakenham.

Batsman Richie Williams, an RAF colleague of Fakenham's Shaun Cooper, has also joined and Keegan Deridder, an Australian with a British passport, is another new batsman in the Fakenham ranks.

On the bowling front, Fakenham will hope Norfolk seamer Ian Slegg overcomes a back injury for tomorrow's visit of Clacton, although he may have to sit out the opening fixtures.

With South African Michael Smith returning for his third year at the club and a new director of cricket, Colin Brassett, in place, hopes are high that Fakenham will fare much better this year.

Chairman Martin Turner said: “We will definitely be stronger. We don't want to be playing in the bottom places again, we want to be mid-table or even higher. Everybody is keen and raring to go.”