THE indoor cricket season finally got under way on January 4 after extensive refurbishments at the North Walsham Sports Centre. The truncated timetable means a one division league and one cup competition this season.

THE indoor cricket season finally got under way on January 4 after extensive refurbishments at the North Walsham Sports Centre.

The truncated timetable means a one division league and one cup competition this season. The league would like to place on record their thanks to Mike Trivett who stood down as chairman after 20 years of service.

Happisburgh against Aldborough II was the first game of the season, and it got off to a spectacular start, Happisburgh bowling first the ball was thrown to James Woolston to start proceedings, who promptly bowled an incredible 32-ball over!

Happs' other bowlers worked hard to restrict but Woolston's 68 runs from his two overs meant Aldborough cruised to 119-3 with retirements from Smith and Flanagan. Happisburgh in reply could only manage 89.

Next up was Happisburgh II against Bradfield. Bradfield batting first made 115-1 with good scores from Abbs (31), Bidewell (27) and Yarham (25). In reply Happisburgh fell just short with 110, Catchpole making 46 with three sixes off the last three balls of the match.

Sheringham against Aldborough was a very one-sided affair - Aldborough with just four players couldn't restrict Sheringham who amassed 158 off their 10 overs, Hudson top scoring with 43. Aldborough managed to get to a respectable 79 before their four players were out.

The last game of the day was Cromer against Vauxhall Vipers. It turned out to be a low-scoring affair as Cromer could not get to Vipers' 75 runs, scoring just 68.

In the second round of games, Vauxhall Vipers amassed a huge 164-4 against Sheringham, Watson (55), Arthurton (47) and Blake (28) all making the going difficult for Sheringham. In reply, Sheringham started brightly but collapsed to just 63 all out.

Happisburgh scored 126-5 against Worstead, thanks mainly to a splendid 50 not out from D Jeary. For once the Happs bowlers got the ball in the right area and restricted Worstead to 98 from their ten overs. R Eagleton made 36.

Bradfield made short work of Aldborough, Aldborough scoring just 61 all out. Bradfield in reply scored the winning runs after just 4.1 overs.

Happisburgh II doubled Aldborough's misery by inflicting defeat against Aldborough II. Batting first, Aldborough made exactly 100, with Plumb and Flanagan making their 25s. Happisburgh, through Allen and Huckle, crossed the line with two overs to spare.