NCCA Counties

Norfolk CCC went out of the NCCA NV Play One Day Trophy competition after a 58 run defeat at home to Cheshire CC in the Quarter Final. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first but soon found themselves in trouble with Brett Stolworthy removing both openers Dan Newton (11) and Sam Perry (0) with just 19 runs on the board. Andy Hanby then had Henry Murray (12) caught by Sam Arthurton at slip before a sharp piece of fielding by Alfie Cooper ran out Matthew Strong (12) with a direct hit. Norfolk continued to keep the pressure on the visitors and took two further quick wickets as Callum Metcalf had Henry Dobson (21) well caught at deep square leg by Cameron Graveling before Hamidullah Qadri had Jack Corran (10) caught by Charlie Hood. At the drinks break Norfolk were well on top, as Cheshire had reached 100 for 6. Harry Dearden and Kevin Carroll had other ideas however as the pair put on an excellent 7th wicket partnership of 118 runs. Dearden hit 4 x 4’s and 3 x 6’s in his 69 while Carroll hit 6 x 4’s and 3 x 6’s in his 77 before they both fell to Cameron Graveling. Qadri and Everett picked up the last two wickets as Cheshire were all out for 261 in the last over. Norfolk promoted Qadri to open the batting with Sam Arthurton but he was the first wicket to fall for 4. Norfolk then lost the wicket of Captain Sam Arthurton when he was bowled for 18. When Ben Wilcox was bowled for 16, Norfolk were struggling at 49 for 3. Alfie Cooper and Charlie Hood looked to rebuild the innings as the pair got to drinks at 89 for 3. Norfolk knew they needed to increase the run rate but unfortunately lost both batsmen trying to do so, both caught, Hood for 24 and Cooper for 42. Jack Corren, on his debut for Cheshire, then returned for his second spell to remove both Arthur Wilcox (20) and Joe Everett (7) to finish with 3 for 35. Norfolk struggled to find the boundary at regular intervals with tight bowling from Cheshire as the rate continued to increase and they finished 58 runs short, Callum Metcalf with 35 not out and Brett Stolworthy 23 not out.