Fakenham Falcons beat the Acle Aces to win the 2016 Norfolk NatWest U19 T20 competition, after a thrilling finals day at Manor Park which saw four sides from across the county battle it out for the title.
Fakenham beat Bradfield Bulls by 28 runs to advance to the final. After setting Bradfield a total of 162-7 from their 20 overs, Fakenham were always on top and, despite 49 from Ben Quilter, Bradfield could only finish on 134-7 from their 20 overs.
In the second semi-final, Acle ran out comprehensive winners over Great Melton Phoenix to advance to the final.
Great Melton were dismissed for just 53 with no player reaching double figures thanks to some excellent bowling throughout the innings, including Josh Larner and Joe Flatt who both picked up three wickets. In reply Will Jennings and Rivers King knocked off the runs in just 7.5 overs to win by 10 wickets.
In the final, Fakenham batted first and continued where they had left off in their semi-final win by posting an excellent score of 172-7 from their 20 overs.
The innings was set up by Harry Bammant, who scored 41 runs and finished off well by Tommo Yarham (30) and Will Buckingham (28*).
The pick of the bowlers for Acle was James Hastings, who returned with figures of 3-39 from his four overs.
Acle's reply got off to a disastrous start with Nathan Thurston picking up the wickets of Jennings, King and Larner before the score reached 20. This left Acle with an uphill battle to chase the runs and despite some good striking in the middle overs from James Hastings (30) and then some good finishing from Jordan Betts (21*) and Owen Gooch (16*), Acle finished their innings on 130-7.
This meant that Fakenham Falcons ran out winners by 42 runs to be crowned U19 T20 champions for Norfolk in 2016.
Harry Bammant was presented with the man of the match trophy from Norfolk Cricket Board vice-chairman David Browne.
Harry also took the award for most runs in the tournament with Joseph Flatt of the Acle Aces was recipient of the bowling award for most wickets.
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