After the disappointment of defeat against Horsford in the Norfolk Alliance Allan Bridgwater Trophy semi-final at the end of July, Lowestoft Town CC U13 team dusted themselves down and finished their season as winners of the South Norfolk Cricket League and South Norfolk Community Carnival Cup.
The young side have been outstanding all season winning all but two of their matches. Even despite their eventual defeat, it was in their Allan Bridgwater semi-final against Horsford that the team performed at their very best producing some of their finest bowling and sharpest fielding that held the Horsford batsmen and gave Lowestoft's own batting power a chance.
U13 captain, Dom Hailey who has batted particularly well all season made 32 not out, but sadly, it was not to be as Lowestoft were unfortunate to lose important wickets at crucial times, and despite a tremendous and gallant effort by the whole team, Horsford went through to the final winning the match by 17 runs. Horsford 128-3 (16 overs); Lowestoft 111-6 (16 overs).
Club captain Peter Sims said: 'Losing the semi-final to eventual Allan Bridgwater trophy winners Horsford, was especially hard as we felt we deserved to be in the final, the boys played extremely well and every single one of them are a credit to the club.'
The U13 squad Manager Simon Hailey added: 'To now bounce back and finish as SNCL league and cup winners, shows the resilience and determination of all these boys and we are all extremely proud of them'.
As winners of their South Norfolk League Division, Lowestoft were invited to the league's carnival cup festival to play against the league's other top three teams. In amazing style, Lowestoft outplayed Old Buckingham in their semi-final with Louis Davey taking four wickets to help restrict Old Buckingham to 94 off their 16 overs before Lowestoft's openers George Sims and George Taylor both crashed boundaries around the ground until they were forced to retire at 41 and 40 respectively, leaving Ryan Bland and Hailey to see Lowestoft home with still half their overs remaining. Old Buckingham 97-6 (16 overs); Lowestoft 100-0 (8 overs).
Astoundingly the Carnival Cup final against Great Melton saw an even more convincing victory as Lowestoft shone with the ball and in the field. A magnificent fielding performance was punctuated by George Taylor's well timed diving catch to dismiss the first Great Melton's batsman, followed by Billy Hutchinson's own impressive catch and the superb ground fielding of Ollie Guy. It was Lowestoft's bowlers who really took the plaudits with Ryan Bland claiming three of the first four wickets while the accurate bowling of Jayden Coote brought two wickets for only three runs off his three overs. This was usurped by Billy Hutchinson who took two wickets without conceding a run and it was left to Ollie Guy to wrap up the Great Melton innings for just 18 runs in 7.3 overs.
Lowestoft's youngest players, Lucas Innis and Louis Davey were this time given the duty of opening the batting and both seemed very relaxed with both Lucas and Louis moving the score along. Unfortunately Davey was run out - Lowestoft's only wicket lost on the day - which brought Hailey to the crease who naturally didn't waste any time and soon hit the required four to confirm Lowestoft as worthy champions. Final score, Great Melton 18 all out and Lowestoft 19-1.
The South Norfolk Community Cricket chairman praised Lowestoft for their fantastic demonstration of cricket in the two matches on the day and also for their tremendous play throughout the season. They were announced convincing winners and presented with the Carnival Cup.
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