Thursday, May 12, 2011
1:06 PM
Luke Findlay applauded for his unbeaten century.
Fakenham maintained their winning start on their return to the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division as they picked up maximum points at Stow.
Skipper Ben Harvey hit 95 in a commanding total of 257 for five for the visitors before South African Rudi Hillermann took four for 25 to complete a 110-run victory, despite Tom High’s 57 for Stow.
Harvey said the side was looking forward to playing their first home Alliance match of the season at Highfield Lawn, writes John Cushion. On Saturday, Diss are the visitors.
New players Hillerman and James Moy have yet to experience the league support which has become a club hallmark. “They are looking forward to sampling the support we get for our home games. I’m hoping a big crowd turns up,” said Harvey.
Of the Stow game, on a personal note he said: “It’s always disappointing to miss out on three figures, but if you had told me before the game I would score 95, I would have taken that.”
He was again delighted to have shared a big opening partnership, 120, with Keegan Monahan-Fairlee (46). “Keegs is in really good form,” said Harvey.
Of importance was Phil Gray’s innings of 37. “He came in at a vital time when it was important not to lose another wicket quickly. He played cautiously but punished the loose ball.”
Hillerman mopped up the last four wickets as Stow began the last six overs with six wickets down. “He had worked hard in the nets to get a better length. He has worked very hard at building up his game,” said his skipper.
Fakenham A drew their home Alliance Division Two game with Garboldisham as both sides scored 236.
Luke Findlay made 105no including ten fours and one six, which brought up his century.
Brian Whitwood made 30 and Will Dunger 35 for Fakenham, who also saw a fine bowling display from Lloyd Marshall (four for 38). Danny Cash (68) and Chris Wright (60) were Garboldisham’s star performers.
On Saturday, Fakenham A visit Hethersett & Tas Valley.
Fakenham keen to be back home
Fakenham’s maximum joy
By philip banyard
Monday, May 9, 2011
9:50 AM
Frankly Digital Norfolk Alliance: Fakenham maintained their winning start on their return to the Alliance Premier Division as they picked up maximum points at Stow.
Skipper Ben Harvey hit 95 in a commanding total for the visitors before South African Rudi Hillermann took four for 25 to complete a 110-run victory, despite Tom High’s 57 for Stow.
Garboldisham tied their match at Fakenham A as both sides scored 236.
Luke Findlay made 105no for Fakenham, who also had a fine bowling display from Lloyd Marshall (four for 38). Danny Cash (68) and Chris Wright (60) were Garboldisham’s star performers.
Billy Yarham (five for 12) did the damage with the ball before Martin Wall (67) saw Fakenham A through to a comfortable eight-wicket victory against Gooderstone.
Fakenham back on Alliance road
Thursday, May 5, 2011
3:37 PM
Fakenham re-start their Norfolk Alliance Premier Division schedule on Saturday after a weekend without a game because of the uneven number of teams in the section.
They visit Stow, who have lost both their opening matches, Fakenham are sitting sixth on 23 points from their opening win, the teams above them all having played twice. Diss are setting the pace with 42 points, followed by Sprowston (38), writes John Cushion.
Fakenham’s Alliance Division Two side opened their campaign with a winning draw at Hillington.
Fakenham made 196 for five with Luke Findlay, who missed most of last season through an injury, making 73 in an opening stand of 59 with Brian Whitwood.
James Moy, who has been recruited from Sheringham, went in during the 39th over of 46 and gave the innings impetus with an unbeaten 36.
Hillington were 13 for five after 11 overs following the opening spell by Will Dunger, who eventually returned 12-7-19-3, and Ian Slegg (9-3-16-4). Moy impressed with 8-3-19-0.
Hillington finished on 129 for nine, Fakenham having four overs at the last pair, who played them out well.
On Saturday, Fakenham A are at home to Garboldisham, 1pm start.
In the West Norfolk League, Fakenham’s Division Two side made 171 against Narborough (193 for eight), and the Division Four team made 123 for five to Necton’s 72 for three.
On Sunday, Fakenham beat Mundford after making 286 for seven then bowling out their opponents for 56.
South African Rudi Hillerman made 74, Ryan Simmons 40, Stephen Gray 50 and Will Dunger 55 not out. Rob Savory claimed four Mundford wickets for 19 runs.
Fakenham’s Sunday second team made it two wins out of two with an impressive five-wicket win at home to Mundford B.
Mundford posted a respectable 178 for seven off theire 40 overs with Luke Cornwall being the pick of the Fakenham bowlers with three wickets. There were also wickets for Jonny Sadler, Billy Yarham and Bruce Bushell.
The Fakenham innings got off to a poor start with three wickets going down in the 20s, but a fourth-wicket stand between Bruce Bushell an Ralph Burton started to get Fakenham back in the match.
With senior player Bushell holding the innings together, Fakenham’s young players Billy Yarham and Tom Hill both played excellent knocks which saw Fakenham pass the Munford total with seven deliveries to spare as Hill flicked a ball off his legs over the square-leg boundary for six to win the match.
Bruce Bushell finshed on 73 not out in an impressive performance by this young Fakenham side.
Fakenham off to a winning start
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Fakenham’s new captain Ben Harvey was very pleased with his side’s win on its return to the Frankly Digital Norfolk Alliance. They recorded a six-wicket Premier Division victory at Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers in a good all-round performance, writes John Cushion.
As Fakenham chased the home side’s total of 217 for nine, Harvey (75) and Keegan Monahan-Fairlee (74) enjoyed an opening stand of 165.
“We bowled and fielded well,” said Harvey. “Norwich got off to a good start with Ali Ponder playing some good shots. But we pegged them back.”
He thought Ian Slegg bowled “fantastically well” for his 4-30 off 13 overs bowled straight through without a rest. Toby Hood gave a very confident performance for an 18-year-old with his 1-30 off seven overs, Matthew Burton bowled well for his 2-34 off 11 and South African Rudi Hillerman claimed 2-40.
He arrived in Fakenham on Tuesday after visa problem delays. “It was nice for him to get his arm turning over off a full run. He was pleased to have got his first game out of the way,” said Harvey.
Of his knock, the Fakenham skipper admitted: “It’s always enjoyable to have a long bat. Keegan had been in great form in the friendlies and we had a lot of confidence in him.
“For me, it’s always nice to get the ball rolling well, especially as it was my first game as captain. We put on 165 and were both disappointed not to have seen it all the way through.” Fakenham won with 221 for four.
That gave Fakenham 23 points to N&CW’s six.
Other Premier Division games: Stow 129 (4pts), North Runcton 133-7 (21); Lowestoft Town 121 (2), Sprowston 122-4 (20); Diss 167-7 (22), Downham Town 133 (4); Brooke 299-7 (25), Vauxhall Mallards A 146 94).
Frustratingly, there is no first team fixture for Fakenham on Saturday because of the odd number of teams in the section. There is a home friendly with a touring side at Highfield Lawn, however.
The Alliance Division Two side starts its season at Hillington.
Fakenham ready for Alliance challenge
New Fakenham captain Ben Harvey insists his team will be taking no-one lightly after dropping down into the Norfolk Alliance, writes Phil Banyard
Fakenham were relegated from the East Anglian Premier League on a heartbreaking final day last season, but have regrouped and are looking forward to their Alliance Premier Division opener at Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers this Saturday.
Harvey said: “Everybody is very excited about the new challenge. We’re an ambitious club and we were disappointed with what happened last year, but we showed that we can win big games.
“We won the Carter Cup last year and you don’t do that through a fluke.”
Fakenham will be hoping to challenge the dominance of Downham, who have won the Premier Division title for four successive seasons, but have continually passed over the opportunity to move up to the EAPL.
Harvey added: “Downham are a very good side, you don’t win the league four years in a row without being a good side, but there are other good teams in the league as well. “We played Norwich & Coltishall Wanderers in the Carter Cup last year so we know about them and we won’t be taking anyone lightly because we understand that teams will be out to beat both us and Downham.”
Fakenham have recruited South African seam bowling all-rounder Rudi Hillermann as their overseas player.
The 25-year-old plays for KwaZulu Natal Inland in his home country and has 52 first class wickets, as well as a healthy batting average of 27.71.
Left-arm spinner James Moy has joined from Sheringham, although opening bowler Angus Stuart has returned to Downham. Former captain Sean Cooper should be available, while Kevin Gray has been installed as first team manager.
Harvey does not believe that the pressure of being one of the favourites to challenge Downham will be a burden for his side: “We have to try and revel in that pressure,” he said.
“Ultimately we are amateur cricketers and yes, there is pressure, but it’s not something we’ll be thinking about. We just need to think about playing some good cricket and having some fun.”