Norfolk Tour 2016

The Refreshers returned to Norfolk for their annual trip to God’s Own County, arriving in good time for the game against Holkham in the splendid setting in front of the Hall. AS is equally customary, their early arrival in Holkham encouraged many among them – including the President – to pay a quick visit to the Victoria and even order fish and chips – the unsurprising result being a late arrival to the ground (again, entirely as usual).

The fish and chips looked to have been the right option, however, as following a succession of more feted batters having given their wickets to the medium pace from the Deer Herd End, it was left to El Pres and the Pembrokeshire Express Dylan Moses (more noted for his bowling than his batting, unfairly he’d say) to put on a splendid and resolute stand of well over 50 to steer the leaky ship Refreshers to the relatively calm waters of 181 off their 40 overs. Much credit to Dylan for his 41* (his father asked, when sent word of his son’s derring-do, whether the opposition had been the local school), to the ever-reliable Saunders for the same score but without the red ink, and to Keith Hornby for an eccentric but highly effective supporting innings.

Sadly Holkham were too good and the Refreshers’ bowling never quite hit the heights needed to defend such a total. Too many wides, long hops and iffy fielding featured, but a mention should go to Jerome Silva who, once he found the famous island, thereafter peppered it with unerring accuracy and bowled a very tidy spell. Holkham reached our score with overs to spare, so following an ale in the Victoria we retired to Titchwell for an excellent supper as always.

On Sunday morning we breakfasted at leisurely pace and as such arrived  significantly later to Salle than was polite. Shamelessly, Anu Mohindru and Richard Saunders took to the Nocturnes’ bowling with gusto, showing none of the politesse shown by Jerome Silva in dangling his bat to give a straightforward catch at slip early on, in a clear (and honourable) attempt to make amends for our lateness. Eventually we posted 136 from our 18. In truth the Nocturnes never looked like reaching that score, tight spells from Cannon, Cayford, Moses and both Mohindrus – and a first Refreshers wicket for debutant Alex Knight – left them needing 50 from their 18th over and the game was up. Ever gracious they did not appear to spit in our soup, served at the Bell in Cawston after the match. Many thanks to all who came.