Acle Winners on Finals Day of the Woodforde’s Brewery Over 40’s Competition for 2024

10th September 2024

Sunday 1st September saw the culmination of the 2024 Woodforde’s Norfolk Over 40’s League.   Teams from 19 Clubs compete in three leagues across the County on mid-week evenings to play T20 cricket matches.  The winners of each league and the best placed runner up then meet in a finals day to determine the overall County Champions.  The day is hosted at the picturesque Hethersett and Tas Valley Cricket Club.

Over 40s Leagues are not that common across the country, only Cheshire show up on a quick google search, and Norfolk’s have been running since 2013.  This is the first year the League has been sponsored, and the Norfolk Cricket Board that run the league have been grateful for the support of Woodforde’s Brewery this season.

The league was designed to enable like minded cricketers to play social, competitive but less frenetic matches.  The shorter format also enabled people who couldn’t commit to a full day at the weekend to still get their cricketing fix.  It also gives a pathway back into the game for people who may have played in the past but still have a desired put the whites back on in their middle years.  The rules are aimed at getting everyone a game.  Bowlers are restricted to 4 overs and batters must retire at 30.

This year the three league winners, Acle (North and East), Thornham (West), Hethersett and Tas Valley (South)  were joined at finals day by  Reepham and  Salle (North and East)  the best placed runner up .   On   a gloriously sunny day,  Acle took on Hethersett And Tas Valley in one semi-final,  and Thornham and Reepham locked horns in the other.

Acle 210/4 off 20 overs beat Hethersett and Tas Valley 127/ All Out off 20 overs to progress to the final.   Reepham and Salle 216/8 off 20 overs beat Thornham 87/7 off 20 overs to join Acle in the final.  The losing semi- finalist then did battle for 3rd and 4th places.

The 3rd and 4th Place Playoff went the way of Hethersett and Tas Valley who beat Thornham by 7 wickets, reaching their target of 110 in 11.3 overs.

In the final Acle batted first and amassed 227 for the loss of just 2 wickets.  5 batters retired on 30 plus scores.  In response Reepham were all out for 107 of 17.1 overs.

The Norfolk ACO provided umpires for the day, to ensure that the day ran smoothly.  James Sneddon of Woodfords Brewery was on hand to present each of the teams their various medals and trophies, along with the Player of the Final award that went to John Allen of Acle.

-ENDS-
10/09/2024

Andy Boocock
NCB Over 40’s Competition Organiser