Saturday 2 July
The First XI travelled to Thornham for a tough game. Batting first, the home side scored 209-7, skipper Raj the pick of the bowlers with 2-38. In response, the RSCC batters couldn’t get going and, despite a gutsy 80 from Will Hollis, lost by 21 runs.
The Second XI also tasted defeat against a strong Hardingham side. Put into bat, RSCC were bowled out for 162, the only score of note 42 from Gary Hinchliffe. Hardingham reached the target five down inside 31 overs, Matt Waller and Nathan Raines with a couple of wickets each.
Saturday 9 July
After a couple of poor weeks on the road, the first team returned to home action against an in-form Saham Toney side. Batting first, RSCC posted 288-7. At 160-6, a score of that size looked in doubt, but Tristan Peters hit an exceptional unbeaten 120. He was well supported by Roo Hollis with 35 to put on 99 for the seventh wicket to post a good score. In reply, Saham Toney came out of the blocks hard, but some creative captaincy and tight bowling saw us take regular wickets that ensured the target was never in sight for the visitors. James Hardy bowled exceptionally, opening the bowling with his spin and taking 3-27 from his 10 overs. Toby Peters cleaned up the tail with 4-16.
The second team were less successful away to Hockwold. Batting first, they posted 178-7 from their 45 overs. A first half-century of the season for Archie Gibbs (59) well deserved after some good starts throughout the season. In response, Hockwold managed to chase down the target six down, with plenty of overs to spare.
Saturday 16 July
The First XI made the long trip to Snettisham, where they were put into bat by the hosts. Regular wickets fell, and the only real contribution of note was Will Allen’s 44 as we were bowled out for 156. In reply, Snettisham reached the target five wickets down. Another disappointing result, but always time to put things right next week.
Better news for the Second XI, as they were victorious at home to Great Ellingham. A good toss to win saw Billy’s boys batting first. Superb centuries from Harry Brown (120) and Gary Hinchliffe (114) saw us post 281-3. In reply, some excellent opening bowling in the first 20 overs from Mark Lester (4-30) and Oliver Kerkham (1-24) meant the target was never in reach for the opposition, who were eventually bowled out for 163 with big Andy Matley (3-22) clearing up the tail.
Above: Second XI skipper Billy Beales (left) presents Harry Brown with the player of the match award after his second century in successive games. Photo: RSCC
Saturday 23 July
The First XI were back at home and looking to bounce back against Sandringham after a mixed run of results. Batting first, RSCC piled on 330-5 with Tristan Peters scoring an unbeaten 127, his second hundred of the month. He was well supported by Dani Long Martinez, who hit an entertaining 75 from 46 balls. In reply, Sandringham never attempted to chase down the total and were eventually bowled out in the last over for 194. Spinners James Hardy (3-43) and Tristan Peters (3-13) did the bulk of the damage to secure a 136-run win.
The Second XI were awarded full points with the opposition conceding, and came along to heckle the First XI from the side-lines.
Saturday 30 July
The First XI travelled to table-topping Castle Acre in the toughest fixture of the season so far. The impressive Castle Acre bowling unit stemmed the scoring and took regular wickets. A patient and composed 86 from Toby Peters helped get us over 200 and set the opponents 207 to win. In reply, some excellent bowling reduced the home side to 111-6, the irrepressible James Hardy taking 3-25 to shift the game in our favour. However, some brutal late-order hitting from the opponents took the game into the penultimate over and they reached the total eight wickets down. A good effort from the boys but ultimately not enough against a very strong opposition.
The Second team were more successful at home to Swaffham. Batting first, they scored 255-8 from their 45 overs, Matt Waller (60) bringing up his first half-century for the club the highlight. After a delicious traditional cricket tea (a nice change since Covid scuppered the tradition), the bowlers were in fine fettle and demolished the Swaffham batting line-up like they had their sandwiches and cakes, with Nathan Raines (4-29) and Gary Hinchliffe (3-29) doing most of the damage to both the scorecard and to the leftovers to secure a 103-run win.
Matt Waller walks off after his maiden half-century. Photo: RSCC
Another mixed month for our senior sides, with glimpses of potential offset by some poor performances. August is the final month of the league calendar and both teams go into it hoping to secure mid-table finishes.