In glorious conditions at Great Witchingham Cricket Club, Horsford became the first winners of the Carter NACO Cup, beating Stow by six wickets in front of a large crowd.

Stow captain Keith Thomson won the toss and decided to bat at Walcis Park, with Gould and Marshall putting on 56 for the first wicket; Gould contributing 36 and Marshall 33.

Nevertheless after this good start Horsford pegged the Stow innings back and at 127 for eight, it looked very likely that the game would finish earlier than expected.

However, Davey and Steve Moulton had other ideas putting on 52 for the ninth wicket; Davey finally being run out for an exciting 52. Moulton continued his big hitting before the Stow innings finished at 220 all out, Moulton finishing up on 42. For Horsford Mimms took 3-33; Futter 2-28 and Perry-Warnes 2-15.

The Horsford innings started cautiously and they were to lose their first wicket with only 14 on the board, however the second wicket put on 110 and fell with the score at 124. Will Bryan, on 58, then went with the score at 134 which left the spectators wondering whether Stow could pull off an unexpected victory.

However the extremely powerful Stephen Marillier had other ideas scoring 56 before he was clean bowled with the score on 215 leaving Horsford needing six runs for victory with six wickets left.

Marillier's innings turned the game around and in one over he scored 22 runs off the unfortunate Stow attack. Chris Read saw Horsford home contributing a fine 42 and the winners reaching their target with several overs to spare.

Again the Carter Competition produced another superb day's cricket leaving man of the match adjudicator Barry Toombs the unenviable task of deciding where the coveted prize went; after consideration Will Bryan won the award, quite aptly a cricket bat for his 58 runs which kept Horsford in contention for a game they finally won by six wickets.

Thanks must go to the Great Witchingham Club for their excellent hospitality and to both sides who can be congratulated on reaching the first ever Carter/NACO final.

The competitions in their inaugural year are alive and kicking and hopefully will continue in such a vibrant way, moving on this Sunday with the Lady Mary Trophy final to be contested by Beccles and Acle at Manor Park, Horsford at midday.