The first XI lost by 6 wickets at Narborough First. After winning the toss, HCC struggled with only C.Sparkes (17), J. Downes (10), S. Subedi (25) and G. Pitcher (12) making double figures before slumping to 89ao. Pick of the bowlers for Narborough were D. Cornwall, with figues of 7-2-12-4. Hardingham responded by taking 4 early wickets having Narborough 10/4 before M. Coe and J. Coe took them game away with unbeaten knocks of 44 and 29 respectivly. Josh Downes pick of the bowlers, finishing 10-4-19-4.

The seconds were not able to do much better in terms of result but up a good battle against Narborough 'A'. Batting first, Hardingham were on top with a fantastic opening run partner of 126 between R. Fowle and G. Harding, with both making 50s, Harding's being his first league 50 in mens cricket. Hardingham finished in the strong position 208/4 at innings break. Narborough starting strongly with M. Mayer-Webb scoring a quick 50 to put Narboroughon top. This was supported with knocks from J. Munford (50*), C. Woodbridge (37) and H. Eves (32) which saw Narborough secure victory by 3 wickets.

Won't talk much about the cricket Sunday as the game was abandoned due to a medical emergency but we wish the Bradenham wicket-keeper a speedy recovery. 

Fixtures for the upcoming week:

24/5: Hardingham v Saham Toney (Wicklewoood Shield) @ Hardingham Green

27/5: Hardingham v Snettisham 'A' (NCL D1W) @ Hardingham Green

27/5: Happisburgh v Hardingham 'A' (Friendly) @ Happisburgh Rec

28/5: Hardingham Sundays v Marlingford (Friendly) @ Hardingham Green

The first were asked to bat but only lasted 26 overs before the weather beat them at Saham Toney. Sparkes and Downes both finished with half century knocks with only Palmer being dismissed.

The seconds bowled first but only lasted a similar number of overs against Downham Stow 'C' before the dull weather ruined the fixture. HCC did pick up one wicket thanks to Grant trapping his adversary LBW.

Sunday didn't see any cricket at all with the fixture against Diss cancelled after some dreadful overnight weather. 

Fixtures next week

Wicklewood Shield v Mattishall @ Mattishall CC 11/5/23

1XI v Wensum @ Hardingham Green 13/5/23

2XI v Saham Toney 'A' @ Saham Toney CC 13/5/23

Sunday's v Eaton @ CNS 14/5/23

Hardingham first XI had a successful start to the season at home to Castle Rising with a dominate display with both bat and ball. Having won the toss and electing to field, it proved a fantastic call, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Castle Rising's largest partnership was for the 5th wicket and that was only worth 41 runs as HCC bowled them all out for 95. The wickets were shared amongst the 5 bowlers with Subedi and Scott picking up 3 apiece, Capper 2 and Fernandez-Steele and Rowell 1. The only noticeable batting performace was Pushpendra Singh, scoring 31. In response, Hardingham chased it with ease, only losing the one wicket of Palmer for 39, with Sparkes (43*) and Watts (8*) finishing the chase with ease with 20 overs to spare and by a victory of 9 wickets.

Unfortuantly, fortunes were not the same for the 'A' team, who were suffered a convincing defeat at the hands of Castle Rising 'A'. Having won the toss and electing to field, HCC would have been happy with bowling Castle Rising all out for 175. However, it could have been less if weren't for a strong batting performance from Martin Mathew, scoring 72 with 2 fours and 5 sixes. Pick of the bowlers was J Fowle (6-1-9-3) and J Wade (6-1-35-2) with Kelly, Grant and R Fowle claiming one apiece and run outs from Wade and Hale. The response from Hardingham was not good as only J Fowle made double figures (13) as HCC were all out for 49. Martin Mathew, who already has had a fantastic day, picked up 3 wickets for the loss of 7 runs as well as A Mahmood finishing with figues of 3.4-1-4-3. A difficult day for the twos

The Sunday XI had more fortune against Sprowston. Having loss the toss, Hardingham were asked to bat first and would be disappointed to have 132ao on the board. With Britten (30) and J Fowle (23) top scoring for HCC. Wickets for Sprowston were shared about with Saravanamuttu, Randell, Newstead and Adams picking up 2, with Rehman and Payne picking up 1. Hardingham however, succesfully defended this score, with only McLaren setting a good scoring finish 35*. Wickets were shared amongst the HCC bowlers with Fernandez-Steele taking 3, Grant, Leicester and Gale 2 and K Palmer 1.

Fixtures this week:

T20 v Norfolk Rangers @ Kettingham Hall CC

First XI v Saham Toney @ Saham Toney CC

Second XI v Downham Stow 'C' @ Hardingham CC

Sunday XI v Aldborough Sunday's @ Hardingham CC

In reply, Hardingham started well, putting 70 on for the first wicket before losing skipper C Sparkes for 23. S Palmer continued on with useful knocks around him with J Scott (27) and S Subedi (26*) before being dismissed for 80; a fantastic knock with included 11 fours and 3 sixes. The total was chased in 32.2 overs with the loss of only 4 wickets which were picked up by B Warnes, B Bailey and J O'Beirne with 2 wickets.

Big thanks to Frettenham for hosting us in one of only 4 games that happened in Norfolk on Saturday.

Unfortunatly, the Sunday XI were unable to get a game in due to the adverse weather during the week meaning neither Hardingham nor Aylsham were able to prepare a suitable pitch playable in time.

Next week, we have 2 fixtures:

Saturday: HCC v Gillingham @ Hardingham

Sunday: AB Wanderers v HCC @ Ashmanhaugh

Furthermore, the draw has been placed for the NCL T20 competition with the Hams being drawn away to New Buckenham. The fixture has been organised for the 17th May with a 6pm start.

As well as this, Hardingham will be playing in both the Wensum Cup, facing off against Borsetshire and AB Wanderers and the Wicklewood Shield (draw 27th Feb) and will be hosting a few touring sides including regulars Hadley Wood. The two other teams visiting Hardingham Green are Uffington from Lincolnshire, and Wickham St Paul from Essex.

Go well

Changes include, Kevin Holmes being appointed as Vice Chairman; Iain Martin has stepped down as Village Hall Representative has been replaced by Robbie Fowle; Sal Subedi as be added alongside Matt Foster. The creation of the role of Social Media Officer has been taken up by Tom Grant. Alex Melton isnow officially the Website Administator and also Midweek Captian after Matt Foster opted to step down. 

The club confirmed that Hardingham have entered 3 T20 competions which are the Wicklewood Trophy, the Wensum Cup and NCL T20 Cup. All of business was competed and the meeting concuded at 7.40pm.

Many thanks to all who attended and we look for to seeing you in the upcoming season.

Go well

Squad for the fixture was as follows:

-Colin Watts (C)

-Greg Harding (WK)

-Chris Sparkes

-Josh Downes

-Sal Subedi

-Alex Melton

Great Melton batted first and finished with a gross score of 308 (283 for 5), in reply Hardingham finished with a gross score of 253 (208 for 9) hence losing by 55 runs.

In the other fixture in our group Drayton beat New Buckenham by 90 runs.

Our next fixture is on Friday 27th January when we take on Drayton at 8:30pm

19th January - The Norfolk Cricket League AGM at Dereham Town FC

29th January - Hardingham CC AGM at Hardingham Village Hall

Along with this, both the indoor season and indoor nets will commence in the coming weeks. Reports will be coming out from the indoor league so keep an eye out on the site

Curry was provided by Juber Ali with thanks to our sponsor Ahmed Spice providing it so a massive thanks to them, and on to the awards.

Firstly, several first team players picked up there league winners trophy. 

Now for individual awards:

First XI Batter of the Season: Chris Sparkes

First XI Bowler of the Season: Josh Downes and Sal Subedi

First XI Fielder of the Season: Matt Foster

First XI Player's Player: Sal Subedi

Second XI Batter of the Season: Robbie Fowle

Second XI Bowler of the Season: Robbie Fowle

Second XI Fielder of the Season: Kevin Holmes

Second XI Player's Player: Alex Melton

Sunday XI Batter of the Season: Sam Palmer

Sunday XI Bowler of the Season: Jamie Fowle

Sunday XI Fielder of the Season: Matt Foster

Sunday XI Player's Player: Greg Harding

Best Strike Rate and Most 6's: Matt Foster

Strike Bowler: Jamie Fowle

Champagne Moments: Jason Scott's 100 v Hockwold in the final game of the season

Clubman: Matt Foster

Most Improved Player: Tom Grant

And Finally, Ghost Ship Player of the Season: Sal Subedi

Congrats to all who won awards this evening

The night was concluded by some Darts provided by Melts and VR cricket, provided by Tom Grant

Many thanks to all that came from all of Hardingham

After several speeches from league officials, teams collected there trophies. Following that, players collect individual trophies for league, this included Chris Sparkes winning Batter of the Season for Division 2W and Robbie Fowle winning Batter of the Season for Division 4W. Congrats to both 👏👏

We have been drawn in Group B alongside Acle, Great Melton, Drayton and New Buckenham. Fixtures are as follows:

13th January 19.30: HCC v Great Melton

27th January 20.30: Drayton v HCC

10th Febuary 20.30: Acle v HCC

24th Febuary 19.30: HCC v New Buckenham

10th March: BYE week

The winners of each group will feature in the final on the 17th March

A interclub game was attempted on Saturday with the Community Corner faced of againsts a Chairmans Crew. The corner batted first with Sparkes retiring on an unbeaten ton as well as several other tidy knocks, seeing the Corner finish 277-6. 

Unfortantly, the rain came down harder and saw the chairmans inning end prematurely but not before Harding hit another 50. After 15 overs, with the score 90-1, the match was abandoned.

This ended a very succesfully season due to Stiffkey unfortuantaly calling off on Friday evening.

Some important dates

• Awards nights: 12th November
• Indoor Cricket Starts: 13th January 2023

The rain stayed away for one day this week as the only fixture this weekend was at Aylsham Rec against Aylsham St Giles CC.

Skipper Palmer, lost the toss and was asked to bat. HCC struggled early on losing 2 wickets for 12 runs. However some strong partnerships headed up by Sparkes saw Hardingham battle to a very strong score of 245 for 6. Pick of the bats were Sparkes, hitting a run a ball 76, Wilkinson-Loines scoring a battling 42 and Leicester scoring a quick 48* with 4 fours and 3 sixes. Pick of the bowlers for Aylsham were Simpson, 5-1-18-2 and Dimmock, 5-0-45-2.

Aylsham started there reply well, with Prescott and Tuthill scoring 71 for the opening wicket but was dismissed by Abu. With the Aylsham batsmen causing some resistence to the HCC bowling seeing themselves 160-3. However, a collaspe then occured ASGCC, scoring 41 for 7 wickets, thanks to wickets from Wilkinson-Loines, Harding and Sparkes, plus a run out from Leicester. Aylsham finish 201ao.

One final weekend of cricket next week as we have an interclub game between the Chairman's XI and The Community Corner on the Saturday and Stiffkey away on the Sunday.

With usual skipper Palmer away, A. Melton stood in for the day; losing the toss and being put into the field. Hardingham bowled and fielded exceptionally with wickets being shared about. Two for Capper, Rowell and A. Melton with Kelly and S Melton picking up one and Holmes performing a fantastic run out. Despite this Winterton set a tidy total of 163-9.

Hardingham started the chase fantastically with Fernandez-Steele and Watts holding a brilliant opening stand. Watts reached mandatory retirement with 50 but wickets also started to fall. Fernandez-Steele for 44, Capper for 10, Grant for 8, Holmes 1, Rowell for an entertaining 13, Harding for 10 and S. Melton for 0. Luckily, Sparkes and A. Melton saw us home for a very good 3 wicket win. 

Two fixtures next week as Hardingham face off to AB Wanderers on Saturday and Aylsham St Giles on Sunday

Saturday, skipper Greg Harding went out for his first time skippering in senior cricket and loss the toss; we'd be fielding first. Despite Thornham's good start thanks to Linsell and Woodcock, wickets started to fall regularly with Kelly picking up 3, Subedi, J Fowle, Harding and Ali all picking up one a piece plus two incredable run outs. In reply, Hardingham were off to a shaky start with Halstead, Harding, Sparkes and A Melton going cheaply. Kelly offered a little resistence and managed 10 before being bowled. However and strong partnership between R Fowle and J Ali. R Fowle hit a half ton with Jubar Ali hitting his maiden half ton in his career. With both retiring, this left Leicester and Holmes to sweep up the rest of the run to confirm victory for the tourists.

Day 2 and off to Terrington we went with Melton taking the reigns, winning the toss and opting to bowl on a damp wicket. A really good start with ball in hand saw TSC 44-4 and 79-5 with Hale taking his first ever wicket. Despite this TSC batted extremely well and put many balls in the neighouring fields for 6. Innings finished 232-8 with J Young scoring a quick 50 with many useful knocks around him. Hardingham, despite an early wicket, were off to a strong start with Subedi and S Palmer scoring well, however some poor batting and running between the wickets saw a collapse from 95-1 to 127-7. Some resliant batting from Kelly and some more power hitting from Subedi saw Hardingham finish 190-9 and confirmed defeat on the final day for the tourists.

Unfortualtely, the A team couldn't replecate the performance losing at home to Hingham 'A'. This is another team I must congradulate after last week they confirmed promotion and the championship. A ton for Dan Skipper put Hingham in a great position and hence finished 236ao. Pick of the bowlers were Jamie Fowle (4-0-16-4) and Alex Melton (7.5-0-53-3). Hardingham could only reach 169-5 in reply thanks to tidy knocks from Halstead (24), Harding (32), J Fowle (32*) and Holmes (29). Extras top scored for Hardingham with 34

There was also victory for the Sunday XI against Eaton. Eaton, being put into bat, set a total of 205-4 thanks to a 50 from Jack Gray, with tidy knocks around him. Tom Capper took 2 wickets for Hardingham; Josh Downes and Chris Sparkes getting 1 a piece. Hardingham chased it down with Sparkes retiring on 51 and Sam Palmer hit 47* to chase it down with 7 wickets to spare.

Next week is the start of the North West Norfolk Series, with the Tourists visiting Thornham on Saturday and Terrington St Clements on the Sunday

League Table

1. Hardingham: 351pts

2. Beeston: 346pts

3. Drayton: 337pts

In other news, the 2XI confirmed a 4th place finish in the NCL Division 4 West with a win against Great Melton C. Skipper Robbie Fowle scoring a fantastic knock of 134 with Dan Halstead scoring a very good looking 71. This weekend, they will close there season at home against already confirmed champions Hingham A.

The Sunday XI also enjoyed victory this week with a 7 wicket win over St Andrews. Having them at 32-6, St Andrews finished on a tidy 169-9. However, this was chased down comfortable with Sam Palmer hitting a unbeaten 50 before retiring not out with Josh Stuart and Chris Sparkes completing the chase in the 23rd over. Next week they face off to Eaton CC at the Hardingham Green

The 1st XI top Division 2 West & the 2nd XI third in Division 4 West.

The midweek XI have progressed to the semi-finals of the Wensum Midweek Cup and are through to the next phase of the Norfolk League Midweek T20 competition. 

We play a number of Sunday friendlies throughout the season against local sides and in September the club is going on tour to Lincolnshire to play 3 games.

If you are interested in finding out more about what Hardingham Cricket Club has to offer please get in contact via hardinghamcricketclub@yahoo.com or text 07940 761557

As always, we're keen to hear from anybody who fancies playing cricket for a small, friendly village club. Whether an experienced cricketer or somebody who fancies a game or 2 a season, we'd be delighted to hear from you all.

   Below are the following Indoor net dates. This year they are going to be held at Taverham Prep school where our 3rd team plays on Saturday afternoons. They will all be held from 1.30 - 3 pm and open to all club members of all ages and to any potential new players

   The dates are as following -

    Saturday January 23rd - 1.30-3pm

    Saturday February 20th - 1.30-3pm

    Saturday March 12th - 1.30-3pm

    Saturday March 26th - 1.30-3pm

    Saturday April 2nd - 1.30-3pm

    Saturdday April 16th - 1.30-3pm

   The nets are open to all current and potential club members with the cost at £5 per session. Hope to see these well supported.

   In addition to nets, the club are keen to seek potential new players of all standards for the new season. With 5 adult teams competing in both league and friendly cricket over Saturdays and Sundays, we are in a fantastic position of being able to offer cricket to players of all standards as well as youth players new to the game or keen to progress into the adult game. To find out more information, email the club on hardinghamcc@yahoo.co.uk or just turn up to any of the indoor nets

  Thanks and look forward to seeing you all soon

    Attention now tunrs to this weekend with the start of the Saturday season. The first team will be taking on Vauxhall Mallards A hoping to build on their successful season last year. The 2nds face a tricky game away to Kirkley and Lowestoft Railway whilst the 3rds take on a new challenge in Division 6 against Rocklands A. On Sunday, the 1sts will be taking on Diss in the Carter Cup hoping to provide an upset. As always, here's hoping for good weather and enjoyable games

  Arguably the club is in its strongest position both on and off the pitch but like most other clubs, we are interested in attracting new players of all abilities to the club. If you're interested in playing cricket at a lovely setting for one of the friendliest clubs in Norfolk, then please do get in touch