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 off to a winning start
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.”