Competition: East Anglian Premier League
Format: 50 Overs
Opposition: Swardeston
Matchday Sponsor: LJS Joinery
Result: GWCC won by 5 wickets

The first Norfolk Derby of the season produced a cracking encounter at The Common the highlight of which was superb match winning innings by Yaseen Valli as Great Witchingham clinched a thrilling victory from the second ball of the final over.

Swardeston batted first and set an imposing total 272 from their fifty overs. This was down to an excellent innings of 86 n.o. from Peter Lambert that contained eight fours and one six from 64 balls. He was well supported in a stand of 90 by Saranga Rajaguru who made 42. There were other useful contributions from the Taylor brothers Jordan with 30 and Callum 31. Jeremy Elliott helped to lift the score late on with 26 n.o. from 16 balls. A number of mis fields and a high extra’s count helped the Swardeston cause. Leg spinner Charlie Rogers claimed two of the five wickets to fall.

The Witches knew that they had to make a positive start in pursuit of the challenging total but were soon on the backfoot as Jacob Rhodes was bowled in the second over by Toby Duncan. Valli and James Spelman (26) added 52 for the second wicket and then Valli put on 59 with Drew Beazleigh (25). There was still much to do with Witchingham on 132-3 when Brett Stolworthy entered fray. He played well and with Valli took Witchingham to 238 before departing for a well composed 43 when bowled to give Callum Taylor his second victim. Valli had brought up a magnificent hundred and his masterclass continued unbeaten to see Witchingham to a fine victory. He finished the game with a six to end on 133. His innings of 139 balls included fifteen fours and two sixes.

Swardeston captain Lewis Denmark cut a frustrated figure at the end if the match “all credit to Yaseen who batted superbly and never offered a chance during his innings” he said “our bowlers never quite found enough consistency and a disappointing number of wides and no-balls didn’t help our cause” he continued, “earlier our top order had set a good platform against an excellent attack with Peter Lambert and Saranga Rajaguru putting us in a really strong position at the innings break.”

Andy Hanby the Witchingham skipper was naturally delighted and said “it was a great win and Yas played superb. He is a top talent. We must work on our fielding and reduce the number of extra’s as I felt we should have kept Swardeston to 210/220 and on another day our indiscretions could have cost us dearly.”