Nocton Cricket Club - Match Reports

Nocton v Hykeham (196-8) abandoned due to rain
Sunday 23rd August

Nocton welcomed Hykeham for their final home match of the season.

The skipper won the toss on the usual Nocton green sponge and chose to bowl. Unfortunately Nocton’s bowlers got off to a wayward start and the loose bowling was punished by the Hykeham openers as they reached 49-0 after five overs. The introduction of Miles Lynch and Dylan Garfoot to the attack slowed the run rate, as both bowlers took wickets.

Skipper Matthew Stephens introduced himself into the attack and dismissed his opposite number, and bowled economically in his seven over spell. The reintroduction of Garfoot and Lynch saw further wickets, as Hykeham closed on an above-par 196-8.

During the final over of Hykeham’s innings it started to drizzle. As the players took tea, the rain became heavier, forcing the players to sit and wait. As the dark clouds gathered and the ground took further water, both captains agreed that no further play was possible, leaving the home team happy to avoid a daunting run chase and take nine points from the game.



Matthew Stephens

Isaac Appleyard

Darren Wilson

Dylan Garfoot (it helps if you're over 6 feet tall)

Miles Lynch

Sleaford (176-8) beat Nocton (175 all out) by two wickets
Sunday 9th August

Nocton headed to the batting paradise of Sleaford on a glorious summer’s day, looking for a sixth win of the season.

The skipper was delighted to win the toss and Nocton chose to bat first. Dylan Garfoot and Matthew Stephens made an excellent start against the seamers and raced to 54-0 after nine overs. The introduction of spin from both ends slowed the scoring rate, but Nocton’s openers stood firm as Garfoot reached fifty, and then the 100 stand was brought up.

The partnership was broken on 124 as Garfoot was stumped for a well-crafted 68. Stephens then made his way to 50, but was dismissed for 59 as Nocton rather lost their way. The 200 run mark the team were aiming for was not reached as steady wickets meant Nocton had to settle for 175, as they were all out in the final over.

The team took to the field after tea seeking early wickets. Miles Lynch obliged as he bowled one of Sleaford’s openers ‘through the gate’, yet the run rate was healthy at an early stage as the home side were ahead of the game. Mikey Atkinson began to turn things around, literally, with his off-spin. He ended with figures of 4-39 from his 10 overs. Garfoot returned to the bowling crease with some off-spin of his own, and took two wickets, and as Sleaford reached 161-8, the game was in the balance. Unfortunately Sleaford’s lower order got them over the line, which meant narrow defeat for Nocton.