Swardeston-CEYMS Sharks lifted the Junior Carter Cup for the second time in the competition’s eight-year history as they beat Lowestoft Lions by eight wickets at Manor Park on Sunday.
With both sides missing players on Norfolk Under-17s duty, Sharks skipper Mark Croft won the toss and put Lowestoft into bat.
The decision reaped immediate rewards when opener Wayne Nixon was run out by Lewis Gooderham without facing a ball.
Willy Cooke and Elliott George added 24 for the second wicket, but that was to prove the highest partnership of the innings.
After Cooke was dismissed by Alex Levinson for a top score of 17, Lawrence Randle and Yash Kulkarni ran through the middle order.
Seamer Randle took three for 15 from five overs and leg spinner Kulkarni bagged three for seven from six overs as the Lions were bowled out for just 75 in the 23rd over. It might have been even worse for Lowestoft but for a total of 33 extras, including 26 wides.
Freddie Ruffell (23) and Gooderham (28) gave the Swardeston reply a flying start with a brisk opening stand of 47.
Gooderham was first to go after hitting six boundaries in his 17-ball innings. Ruffell followed soon afterwards and it was left to Croft (14no) and Oliver Ebbage (6no) to see Swardeston home in the 11th over.
Kulkarni was named man-of-the-match for his outstanding bowling display.
Article courtesy of the Eastern Daily Press – www.edp24.co.uk