Wednesday 24 June 2015

Nocton Cricket Club - news

Nocton Cricket Club Fete, June 14th

After a complete washout last “summer” in August we were really keen NOT to have cancel the fete again in 2015. We went ahead - but it was a close call! The weather was overcast with occasional, disheartening drizzle and those who turned up will remember that it just got colder and colder as the afternoon wore on!

The turnout was disappointing but not at all surprising given the weather. A number of hardy villagers turned out to support the club, aware of how much hard work goes into a fete. Ian Goldsworthy, chair of the parish council, kindly opened the fete for us. We had hoped that he would be cutting the ribbon on our new practice net but unfortunately the delivery was held up by a couple of days. It’s here now and I’ll be telling you more about that later.

The children had a great time on the Bouncy Castle and didn’t have to queue up to get a go either. We had a variety of races for children and adults who all took part with great enthusiasm. I realise now they were just trying to keep warm! I must thank Nocton School for lending us such equipment as skipping ropes, marker cones and bean bags. The “potato and spoon” race was as popular as ever but, as the participants discovered, Charlotte potatoes don’t stay on a spoon any better than eggs used to do in “the olden days”. A photographer from the Sleaford Target came along and we hope to see some of his action photos very soon. I have to apologise to all the children, and David Glew, who brought their bikes along for the Slow Bicycle Race. We all became so involved in a game of Kwik Cricket that the race was forgotten. Next year we’ll do it first just to make sure.




We arranged for the Ice Cream Van to come along to the fete but we let him go after an hour as he’d only sold one ice cream! I wonder who was the hardy soul who bought an ice cream on such a day. A chap came all the way from Skegness to sell his hot “Donuts” and candy floss and fared rather better. A hot soup stall would have made a killing! Tea and home-made cakes were sold throughout the afternoon and they went down well – as they always do. The old village Skee Ball and Skittles sets did a good trade and we had lots of prizes including champagne, wine, chocolates and vouchers and gifts from a number of Metheringham shops. Our thanks to all for their generosity. Three raffle prizes remain unclaimed and they are ticket numbers Blue 206, Orange 66, 74 and 117. If you have those numbers please call Jonathan on 01526 320652 and I’ll make sure you get them.

Thanks to all who worked so hard to prepare the fete, those who braved the weather, gave generously and spent freely to support our village cricket club.

High scoring thriller at Nocton

On Sunday, the longest day of the year, a depleted Nocton side that could only muster 7 players hosted Bracebridge Heath 2nd XI who had beaten them earlier in the year. It was a fantastic high scoring match with over 360 runs scored – and Nocton came out on top!

Nocton won the toss and chose to bat first with all-rounder Dylan Garfoot and skipper Matthew Stephens taking to the crease. The two of them batted superbly with Stephens playing anchor man while Garfoot batted with his usual power and aggression. They put on 145 before Dylan was out LBW after scoring 113 of them with 13 fours and 7 towering sixes – a match for any England performance! Stephens was eventually out for 34 with newcomer all-rounder Paul Carrott chipping in with 16. Nocton finished with 195 off 31 overs but how many more might they have made with the extra 4 players and all those spare overs?

Although Bracebridge opener Oliver Bentley played solidly and always looked dangerous he was eventually bowled by a delighted Miles Lynch for 83. Only 2 other Bracebridge batters made double figures as Lynch took 3-20 off 7 overs and that man Dylan Garfoot, bowling fast and menacingly, took 6-54, a magnificent all round effort for the second week running. Bracebridge were all out for 166 leaving Nocton victorious by 29 runs.

We can’t help wondering if there are 4 (or more!) extra cricketers out there in the village who feel inspired to come and join our gutsy village team! Contact club captain Matthew Stephens on 07548 386387 or club secretary Jonathan Sides on 01526 320652 if you might be interested.

If you think you need to practise then don’t worry, our new net sponsored by Beeswax Farming and Nocton Parish Council (200 Club) will soon be in action. More of this in a later post.

Paul Carrott in action

Last man out - bowled by Dylan Garfoot

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