Acle and Halvergate CC are one of the top clubs in Norfolk with four league teams; including one in East Anglian Premier League. The facilities at their Halvergate ground are top notch and its unlikely the Racqueteers have every played on a better batting wicket – rock hard and very true. The team included a number of first team players who had the day before avoided relegation from the Premier league.
Skip won the toss and put the home side into bat under the afternoon sun. All the Racqueteers’ bowlers stuck to their task well under difficult circumstances against a seemingly endless stream of high-class batsmen (4 of them retiring). A couple of early wickets from the classy (and charming) Rufus Talks (6.0.34.2) gave them hope while Charlie Talks (4.0.34.1), Sepia (2.0.16.1), Yox (4.0.26.1), HoT (4.0.30.1) and Ed (2.0.16.1) chipped in with wickets later on. OC, Harry, Tom and Biscuit also all worked hard with the ball. In the field Ed, biscuit and Jules all made great contributions as did OC (as always).
Despite the Raqueteers’ best endeavours, the oppositions final score of 274 for 7 off 37 overs was always going to be very challenging. This turned out to be the case – with survival rather than victory becoming the goal quite early on. HoT (14) and Tom (39) started well and bravely against fast hostile bowling – the senior Talks especially getting in the wars. They lasted 18 overs by which time 52 runs had been scored. Sepia, Charlie and Jules between them took another 9 overs out of the match. Yox (15) hit a few crisp boundaries, G showed off his classy forward defensive, the president returned from injury and Rufus (12 not out) smote a few boundaries. The cheer from the sidelines when the tourists got past 100 was not ironic. The final score 114 for 8 – was either a loss by 158 runs or a losing draw – for all the Racqeteers’ endeavour, courage and good humour one would hopeA&HCC would allow them the solace of the draw.
After the match some Racqueteer stalwarts commented that this was probably strongest team the club had every played against and it was hard to argue with that. Although the tea ladies, bar staff and BBQ man were all lovely, it was hard for either team to enjoy the game given the mismatch between the teams.
The Racqueteers Cricket Club 