Cromer coping well on top flight return

Cromer's re-introduction to the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division could hardly have been tougher – but so far Tom Davies' newly promoted side have coped admirably.

Fixtures against Sprowston, Fakenham and Downham were followed by last weekend's trip to North Runcton, when Cromer picked up their first win of the season. But it has been their battling displays in those opening three games which have proved that the seasiders will be a force to be reckoned with this summer.

Davies said: 'I think those three teams will finish in the top four, so it's been a tough start, but after Saturday's result hopefully we can kick on now. We have got Stow and Diss in our next two games and they will not be easy, but they are games we are looking to win.'

It promises to be an exciting summer for Cromer, who also have a match against the Lashings World XI to look forward to on Sunday, August 11, but for now the focus is on building on their solid start.

Five-wicket defeats against Sprowston and Downham were by no means straightforward for their opponents, while a winning draw against Fakenham was an unexpected bonus. Davies added: 'We've got a decent bowling attack and I think teams find it difficult to score against us, the scoring rate has been quite slow in the games so far. We just need to get it together with our batting now.'

South African Malcolm Cloete should prove useful in that respect, if Saturday's half-century against Runcton is anything to go by: 'When he went out we were struggling a bit and had we lost another wicket we might have thrown it away,' said Davies. 'But he played a clever innings. He hit boundaries when he had to, nudged the ball around to keep the strike and kept the scoreboard ticking over.'

There was further good news for Davies this week when he was nominated for the Sky Sports ECB Coach of the Year awards. He is among 40 coaches nationwide who will be guests at the final Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Oval in August. Davies, who is currently doing his Level Three coaching qualification, said: 'It's just nice to get recognised for doing something I really enjoy. Coaching is something I'd like to do more of – I've done some work for the Norfolk Cricket Board and with the county age groups and this year I'm in charge of the Norfolk Ladies team'

Cromer are at home to Stow tomorrow, while leaders Norwich host Old Buckenham.