THE WARRIORS LIFT THE LEAGUE CUP TROPHY! 

Sunday, April 30 was the date for the Warrior's best footballing display of the seeson.  After finishing fourth in the North East Norfolk Youth League and their opponents (Old Catton "A") finishing second, it looked like they were faced with a fierce struggle, but they took to the pitch, looking the part in their blue away STABLES strip oozing confidence.  But that confidence was short-lived as a poor attempt to clear the ball, let in a Catton forward to slot the ball into the corner of the net. Warriors equalised five minutes later when a Catton defender clearly tugged back a Warrior's forward in the area and the referee awarded a penalty.  Shane Cox stepped up to blast the ball over the crossbar.  But the referee had seen a Catton player encroaching in the area and the linesman flagged the 'keeper as being off his line, so the penalty had to be taken again, Shane this time placing the ball in the corner of the net out of the 'keeper's reach.  With five minutes to go until half time and with the game flowing from end to end, Shane Cox put the Warriors into the lead with a finely taken volley.  The second half got underway and within minutes Jacob Knowles had blasted a great left-footer from a narrow angle, across the 'keeper into the far corner of the goal.   Warriors were now 3-1 up and full of confidence.  They started stroking the ball about the pitch, showing the class they have shown during the last part of the season and Jodi Norris was on the end of one of these moves to place the ball beyond the 'keeper.   Jacob Knowles was rampant now, down the left wing, and scored his second goal shortly after with another fine strike from the left.  He rounded off a fine hat-trick a few minutes later to leave Old Catton wondering how to stop him.  But while they were still trying to work it out when a speculative shot from outside the box was only parried by the Old Catton 'keeper, and Cameron Humphrey was the first to react and he dodged forward and calmly struck the ball into the roof of the net. With only a few minutes to play, Warriors started celebrating too early and relaxed to let Old Catton in to score their second.  That knocked the Warriors back into shape and Jodi Norris broke away and calmly lobbed the advancing 'keeper to make the score 8-2 in Warriors favour.  This was an outstanding performance by the Warriors, and having beaten all the teams which finished above them in the league.  So roll on next season.  The Warriors will be a force to be reckoned with next time around.  Mention must go to John Reynolds in goal, Tommy Bywaters, Nick Blake, Daniel Beasy and Tommy Harrison for their performances at the back, and also Ali Burghall and Will Parker in midfield.   The three subs all came on towards the end for a run-out.  They were Tom Fleming, Josh Glister and James Mitchell.  Congratulations should also go to the Warriors' coaches, Darren Love and Russell Cox, who have moulded these boys and one girl (Kyla Love), who didn't play in the final, but along with, Ben Conn, Alex Harvey and Harry Carrington, all played their parts in this great season.

SHERINGHAM vs SANDRINGHAM

Sheringham entertained Sandringham in their first home league game of the season on Saturday.  After winning the toss, and choosing to bat first Sheringham got off to the worst possible start as K. Howell was bowled 1st ball and C. Balluza (5) soon followed to leave Sheringham in trouble at 5-2.  This meant that J. Neale (13) joined opener S. Walton at the wicket.  The pair batted sensibly together, to get Sheringham back in the game, before a partnership of 47 was broken as Walton went for a well made 29. Neale, was then joined by M. Hudson at the wicket and the pair pushed the score along adding 44 in 8 overs before Neale fell.  P.Moy then came to the crease to join Hudson who was now looking good.  Moy, after seeing himself in then played some fine shots in an innings of 37, before he was caught to end a partnership of 59.  Hudson fell soon after to leave Sheringham at 144-6.  With 4 overs now left, Sheringham then went for it; N. Taylor (2) was bowled but some ultimately crucial runs from S. Hudson (12) and W. Neave (10*) helped Sheringham to a respectable 171-8 in their 45 overs.

In reply Sandringham got off to a steady, but slow start as the Sheringham opening bowlers restricted scoring opportunities. W. Neave bowled a great 1st spell of 6-4-2-0, and was unlucky not to get a wicket, as was N. Taylor (5-0-15-0).  On came P. Moy and M. Hudson, and it was Moy who then destroyed the Sandrigham top order.  After removing both openers, he then removed 3 of the middle order in a great spell of bowling to swing the game dramatically in Sheringham's favour with figures of 12-4-28-5.  Neave then returned to the attack and picked up 2 thoroughly deserved wickets to finish with figures of 12-5-26-2. I. Perrin was by now looking dangerous for Sandringham, but skipper S.Hudson (5-1-25-1) came on and finally removed him for well played 53, to leave the score 128-8.   Sheringham now looked set for victory but some hefty blows from J. Hurst (29*) made sure that the game would have a tense climax.  M. Hudson (11-0-55-1) was back bowling now, with 9 needed off the last over which began with a wicket thanks to a stumping from the impressive S. Lloyd.  Sheringham held on for a 3 run victory in an entertaining game between 2 young sides, as Sandringham finished on 168-9.