PLENTY MORE TO COME

You may well have noticed the Lincs Cricket Latest site counter has now sailed past the 5,000 mark, which is fantastic - and completely unexpected.
Sincere thanks to all cricket-lovers who have visited since we launched in mid-June, and particularly those who have taken the time, and trouble, to contribute information and pictures.
During tea at last Sunday's North Lindsey League game at Caistor, Wes Allison asked whether we will be carrying on during the close season - no, not me and Wes carrying on - he meant whether Lincs Cricket Latest would still be updated between mid-September and next April.
The answer is a big Yes - we have every intention of keeping you supplied with news, views and cricketing nostalgia. On the latter topic, Wes is keen to see some Brigg Town pictures from the mid-1970s, when he played a season away from Caistor.

IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT

A case of all's well that ends well in Sunday's Bob Welton Cup encounter at Marsh Lane, Barton. While Cleethorpes 3rds were fielding, Barton 2nds' skipper Jeremy Evans (back to the camera) took a quick single off veteran bowler Jeff Todd (seen next to umpire Peter Douce). As the throw at the stumps came in from the fielder it struck Jeremy’s bat and cannoned off into the outfield. It then looked as though a second run was going to be claimed but after one or two words our man in the Cleethorpes camp reports: "Jeremy sportingly returned to the non-striking end and the second run was rescinded."
Our insider adds: "This always presents the umpires with an awkward moment as it doesn’t say anywhere in the rules that a batsman can’t run an extra run after being struck on his equipment by a fielder's throw. However, as most club cricketers know, the unwritten rule is not to run."
He concludes: "Thanks, Jeremy."

DEADLINE TIME

The end-of-July deadline has now been reached for applications from fresh teams wishing to join the Lincolnshire County Cricket League.
Lincs Cricket Latest hopes to let you know the identity of any prospective members, although we can already confirm that this summer has not seen the deluge of interest there was last year, culminating in the election of Market Rasen 2nds, Morton, Washingborough and Brigg Town to division four.
Watch this space!

3-2 WIN FOR LOL'S LADS

South Kelsey beat Alkborough in last night's bowl-out to decide their Lincs League George Marshall Trophy quarter-final, as no agreement could be reached on a date to replay the rain-affected tie. Several possibilities were discussed, but in the end it had to be a bowl at the stumps.
Kelsey won 3-2 and Lol Waghorn's men now travel to Appleby-Frodingham 2nds on Sunday (1.30pm start) for the semi-final. Hard luck, Steve Clay's Alkborough. However, perhaps being out of the cup will help their bid to clinch the Lincs prem title.
As those football managers are often quoted as saying: "We can now concentrate on the league!"

ANDY RUNS A TIGHT SHIP (NELSON INCLUDED)

Meet Market Rasen 2nds - newcomers to Lincs div three this season and led by Andrew Richley, the 'big fella' on the back row of our picture (double-click to view in close-up). They might be in the bottom three but Rasen gain high marks for sportsmanship and their general attitude to the game. Even when getting disappointedly beaten on Saturday by one of their close rivals they were still congratulating young opposing batsmen on playing good shots. Of course, it's often a case that teams take their lead from the skipper - and Andy set a fine example, particularly when 'walking' for a very faint edge down the leg-side. Similarly, when a close-to-the-wicket 'catch' came off a bump ball they were quick to accept the fact.
Andy can also manage a nice turn of phrase, too, in true Lincs Cricket Latest style. Writing about Saturday's defeat against Scunthorpe 3rds at Hibaldstow, he says of the side's only real batter to contribute: "Chris Higgins did his best Horatio (Nelson) impersonation with 29 not out, but no other player was able to contribute as dismissals piled up to a mixture of poor shot selection, great catching from Scunthorpe and a few fine deliveries."
We've emailed Andy a keepsake copy of the pic as some sort of consolation for Saturday's result. The young lady on the team pic (Sarah, I think she's called) did the scoring for Rasen, which is always good to see. With all these wickets tumbling - Rasen only made 60 - she must have been kept pretty busy!

DAN, THE MAIN MAN

By Glen Sands

Outcasts gained a valuable 20 points at Grimsby Town last Saturday which opens up a gap of 35 points between the clubs now - and Outcasts have a game in hand on their East coast rivals.
It was the Isle side that batted first at Augusta Street with Andy Lawson and Simon Lewis opening their innings and with Lawson at his beligerent best they soon raced to 37 before he was caught by John Coverley off Dan Wood for 25 , once again being undone by a slower delivery. Jamie Belton wasn't at his most fluent and he was second man out when bowled by the wiley Richard Evans for six when Outcasts had just reached 56 - and despite cracking a four and a six off James Watkinson in quick succession Andy Torr was soon back in the pavilion having been caught in slip by Nigel Fanthorpe off Watkinson for eleven.
The visitors needed to steady the ship and that's just what happened as Lewis and David Hobson put on 41 runs for the fourth wicket - then Hobson was caught by wicket keeper Tom Lehman off Andy Hardy for an excellent
27. Lewis had been in from the start but with the total on 126 he succumbed for 29, well stumped by Lehman off Adam Warick and suddenly Grimsby were in with a chance of bowling Outcasts out relatively cheaply. Skipper Graham Oxley was out to the very next delivery , well caught by Dan Wood and it took a tremendous knock from Peter Tait to revive the innings as he stepped up from the second team to produce a very important batting display. Tom Sharpe was the seventh wicket to fall , out LBW to Andy Hardy for nine with the score on 135 but Liam McAnaney stuck around with Tait to take the total up to 175 before Tait was bowled by Watkinson the ball after he had brought up his half century with his tenth boundary. Macca was caught behind off Lee Charlton without a run being added having made just three and the innings closed at 176 when Joe Tonge was bowleed by Charlton in the final over setting Grimsby a tough target given their recent form.
The Grimsby reply couldn't have got off to a worse start as Tom Sharpe produced a superb yorker to bowl Nigel Fanthorpe with his first delivery but his son Adam was joined by Dan Wood and they both took advantage of any ball around their middle and leg guard to move the score on to 23 before Fanthorpe junior was bowled by a terrific inswinger from Liam McAnaney having reached 15. Lee Charlton was next at the crease but it was Wood who was threatening to take the game away from the visitors with a tremendous batting display. He punished anything remotely loose and with Charlton playing second fiddle at the other end Grimsby quickly moved to 70 befor Simon Lewis took a good catch in the covers off the bowling of Alex Fletcher to send him back to the hutch for eight. Harry Warwick had made just four when he became Fletcher's second wicket , caught at backward squre by man of the match Peter Tait and when John Coverley was out second ball to a catch behind the wicket by Graham Oxley off Andy Torr Grimsby were floundering on 80 for 5. Wood was joined by skipper Andy Hardy and almost immediately brought up his half century and with Hardy offering good support they took the total to 113 before Simon Lewis took an excellent caught and bowled to remove Hardy for 20 just as Outcasts were beginning to fear a Grimsby revival. Wood had batted superbly but Outcasts cleverly began to allow him a single and concentrate on the batsman at the other end and their ploy worked well as Tom Lehman soon became seventh man out , bowled by Lewis without opening his account. Wood was becoming quite frustrated as the Isle side kept him away from the strike and the returning Tom Sharpe then had Warwick caught by skipper Oxley for two to leave Town on 126 for 8. Richard Evans appeared to offer good support to Wood but then played a rash shot at a Lewis delivery and was tremendously well caught in the covers by a diving Peter Tait and despite a late blitz of ten from one over from Wood Outcasts wrapped up the victory when Tom Sharpe and David Hobson combined to run out number eleven James Watkinson as he desperately tried to give Wood the strike. Wood batted really well for 85 not out but in the end he ran out of partners with Simon Lewis picking up the excellent figures of 3 for 21 from seven very tidy overs.
So the Priorymen continue to move away from the drop zone and are now well placed in mid table after their fifth win of the season. They travel to Scothern on Saturday looking to make it half a dozen which would surely see them safe in Division One for another season.
Outcasts 2nds continued their promotion push despite missing several key regulars who were either drafted into the first team or unavailable through work committments. They batted first against Hibaldstow and made what they felt was a disappointing 129 all out, Darren Clark top scoring with 39 whilst Russell Fletcher hit 35 not out before running out of partners, but they then bowled Hibaldstow out for 61 thanks chiefly to Jonathan Wroot who ripped through the top order when taking the first four wickets to fall, then Matthew Teal took 3 for 14 as the visitors were bowled out in just 15 overs, earning Outcasts another 20 points and allowing them to close the gap on neighbouring Haxey 2nds to just 22 points.
The two sides meet each other this Saturday in what could well prove to be a decisive match for the destination of the Championship pennant. It promises to be a very interesting fixture.

BROWN AND GINGER

Following the interest generated by the weekend posting about Geoff Toyne, the former Scunthorpe and district umpire, let's consider two more famous men in white coats from a few decades ago - Edgar Brown and 'Ginger Dick' Lawton.
Edgar was a very, very senior umpire when he finally gave it up - and a chap with a very dry sense of humour.
Dick arrived at matches on his funky moped - or (in earlier days) rang up the away team to give him a lift if they were passing anywhere near the Queensway.

LUDD LIFT SNAITH TROPHY

SPECIAL REPORT By Glen Sands

Snaith Shield Trophy Final - Luddington v Goole Academy

Luddington found themselves a match winner on Monday in the shape of local lad Matthew Mellers who stepped in at the last minute following a late withdrawal due to illness, Matty going on to produce his best ever bowling figures as the Isle side won a tense Cup Final at Carlton Towers.
With three regulars unavailable due to work committments (the harvest waits for no man!) and two away on holiday, plus two on the sick list, the Luddington squad was stretched to the limit - but they rose to the task to produce a battling performance against a strong Goole Acadamy side who have proven themselves worthy opponents throughout the season.
The big-hitting Andy Lawson went cheaply, much to the delight of the Goole side, inadvertantly playing on to his stumps from a Will O'Donnell delivery, having made just three - and O'Donnell picked up a second victim when Andy Torr was also bowled, having made 10.
15-year-old Oliver Coulman then joined Jamie Belton in the middle and they gradually pieced together a third-wicket partnership of 30 as Goole continued to keep the squeeze on with some tight bowling and terrific fielding.
Belton was eventually out for 23 with the score on 52, caught by first teamer Lee Heywood off Louis Moore, which brought Oliver's father Mark to the crease to join his son. They took the total to 86 before Oliver ensures a severe loss of pocket money when running his father out for 17, and the youngster was advised not to go into the pavilion to remove his pads when he was caught behind by Ben Earl off Moore for 23 from the first ball of the next over!
Peter Tait and Russell Fletcher then produced a good partnership as they took the game to Goole, both men hitting huge sixes as they moved the score up to 117 before Fletcher was bowled by Scott Thorpe for 15 and Tait was caught in the deep by Goole skipper Louis Moore from Thorpe's last ball of the innings having made 14, Luddington's total finishing at 118 for 7.
Moore, Thorpe and O'Donnell all took two wickets each as Goole kept things relatively tight throughout.
The Goole reply saw them race to 13 from the first over, James Kerr cracking two early boundaries - but he was out to the first delivery of Liam McAnaney's spell, bowled by the left-armer who bowled a superb spell of five overs, three maidens two for seven.
Alex Fletcher picked up the prized wicket of Ben Earl with a beautiful delivery which swung late to bowl the Goole youngster without a run being added - and McAnaney grabbed his second wicket when trapping Lee Heywood LBW after he had made just four runs.
Nick Holah was batting well and along with Kevin Murphy they took the score to 52 - but then came the Man of the Match performance by Matthew Mellers who began by bowling Holah for 21. Greg Houghamestra was run out following a direct hit by Oliver Coulman without a run being added and the wheels really started to come off when Murphy was brilliantly stumped by Mark Coulman off son Oliver having made eight.
He repeated the feat when stumping Scott Thorpe off Mellers for just a single, leaving the total on 55 for 7 - and although Will O'Donnell and Ashton Nottingham combined to move the score to 71, the eighth wicket fell when Mellers produced another excellent delivery to bowl the latter for 10.
O'Donnell knew they needed boundaries to have any hope of getting close to the Luddington total, and in his attempt to do just that he skied a catch to Russell Fletcher off Mellers having scored 10 and the innings was wrapped up by the irepreible Mellers when he bowled skipper Louis Moore to ensure his first ever five-wicket haul.
So Luddington claimed the Snaith Shield for the first time with a battling performance which brought the best out of several of their younger players. Undoubtedly Mellers was the star of the show but Jamie Belton and Oliver Coulman (with bat and ball) played their part, as did Liam McAnaney and Peter Tait.
With the league title yet to be confirmed - but almost within grasp - it has been a splendid year for the Isle side in the Snaith Evening League which comes to an end on Thursday (July 30th) with a home fixture against Fishlake, their nearest rivals in the table.

FOXHILLS REVISITED

By Nolan Bennett, Scunthorpe Town 3rds

What about a series of pictures and/or stories about old (and
previous incarnations of current) grounds and pavilions? It's
something that interests me, but my short career in Lincs and North
Lindsey League cricket (particularly in the Scunthorpe area) somewhat
limits my knowledge.
What got me thinking was the numerous mentions I have found on your website to the Cemetery Road pitch in Scunthorpe. Got me wondering - was this in the grounds of Quibell Park? Is there any evidence of it left? I certainly can't recall
any remaining signs of it.
Which leads me to one of my own stories about grounds and pavilions
that have passed into the past. Over 20 years ago, when I was
around 11 or 12 years-old, I lived in Grimsby with my Mum and
Dad. One of our next door neighbours, Jack Johnson, had played for
Hartsholme for some time and had recently moved to Lincoln. One
Saturday lunchtime as I as I was settling down to watch World of
Sport, my Father walked into the front room and asked me: "Do you
fancy a game of cricket, son? Jack's on his way to Scunthorpe and
they're a player short - you can play with them if you want."
Needless to say, the answer was 'yes' and off we set to some strange
place that seemed like it was halfway to the edge of the Earth (not
to mention in the middle of some great metropolis that was apparently
called 'The Steelworks').
Well, Hartsholme lost, I didn't drop any catches (nor did I take any) and I was Hartsholmes only 'not out' batsman, having faced an over or so and scored a solid 0, and not much has changed in terms of my cricketing prowess over the years,
unfortunately.
So, after the match, Jack drove me back to my Mum and Dads in Grimsby and that was the first every senior game of cricket I ever played. Abiding memories? Apart from the sportsmanship of the fielders telling the bowler to "Go easy, he's only a young lad" immediately prior to him steaming in and delivering a distinctly Richard Hadlee-esque over, it was the seemingly palatial pavilion - polished timber floor, excellent tea in a cavernous function room, watching the game from the pavilion balcony, quiet setting surrounded by trees (albeit feeling a little like a stranger in a strange town).
10 years later I found myself living in Burton Stather and working for North Lincolnshire Council as a Building Surveyor. My job involved arranging various construction works all over North Lincolnshire.
From when I first moved to North Lincs I'd wondered where the ground was at which I'd played that game. My Father and Jack couldn't remember, and eventually I pretty much gave up trying to find it. Then I received a report of a building that had a bad crack in one of the walls - Foxhills Sports Ground.
So I checked the map (this was the days before SatNav) and set off. Low and behold - I found the ground - and that was it!
I was able to play a part in looking after the building that had made such an impression on me years before. It was a little sad, though. The building didn't seem to have received the care it obviously used to receive when I made my first
visit as a player, and one the groundsmen who was based there complained that looking after the wicket was virtually impossible as a result of the fools that rode their motorbikes across it on a regular basis.
Over they next few months I was able to ensure repairs were carried out to the pavilion - the boxed timber flooring relaid, the leaky roof fixed, the fittings in the changing rooms restored to working order, the doors leading out on to the balcony replaced as they'd previously been kicked in and boarded over...and with a lick of paint some of its former glory was restored.
In a scene reminiscent of 'The Shining' I could hear the spikes of cricketers past clicking out of the changing rooms, along the balcony and out onto the field.
Time moved on, and due to changes at the council the pavilion became someone else's job to look after and I moved on to allegedly better things.
But that's not the end of it. Around 18 months later I had my final piece of work to do at Foxhills Sports Ground cricket pavilion. Unfortunately, it wasn't a full refurbishment scheme. It wasn't even minor improvements. It was to arrange for the demolition of the pavilion, as it was apparently no longer a viable facility!
And the moral of the story? Better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. But to play such a major part in your loved one's downfall? Unforgivable.....
I know that Foxhills Sports Ground used to have some connection with the Steelworks. Do you know what team(s) played their home games there in the mid-80s?
Keep up the good work on the website.

Nigel Fisher adds: A great piece from Nolan which will doubtless bring back many memories for visitors to our site. I've replied, briefly, to explain about Normanby Park Works being based at Foxhills, and how they ran three senior men's teams for a number of years. Cemetery Road sportsground, for those in the dark, latterly played host to Normanby Park Works, and Appleby-Frodingham 3rds and Redbourn before that.

LIFE AND SOLE OF THE PARTY

By "Ackers"

Jeff Todd, Cleethorpes’ 3rd X1 ‘fast’ bowler, faces an awkward dilemma this week. While playing for the 3rds in their Bob Welton Cup semi-final win at Barton Town 2nds on Sunday, the sole of his bowling boot came away. Now, as all veterans know, buying new gear at such an advanced age is not something that is taken lightly. For one, they don’t make Toddy’s boots (PONY!) anymore, and secondly, will he get the wear out of them as the bones start to stiffen up? For a Lancastrian these are serious issues.
All at Cleethorpes Cricket Club eagerly await the outcome.

LUCKY ESCAPE FOR THREE CLUBS

Memories have been re-kindled by Neil Simpson's super in-depth input from the past - but I bet no-one at their club knows what a lucky escape they had. For 'yours truly' could very well have ended up playing for Broughton, rather than Brigg.
A few years before the present Brigg club was formed in 1974, I was friendly with a number of the Broughton players, while attending Brigg Grammar. They included Neil Fisher, with whom I sometimes opened the school batting, presenting obvious difficulties for the scorers (two boys called N Fisher batting at the same time).
More than once - I presume at Neil's suggestion - they picked me to fill in for Broughton's intermediate team, only for the games to be rained off, or cancelled. One night, having been selected, I cycled to Broughton but didn't even get changed.
Later, after starting work in the public relations department of British Steel in Scunthorpe and joining the Athletic Club (which oversaw sports and social events) there were opportunities to play for the lowest sides of Appleby-Frodingham and Normanby Park Works. Both were declined, resulting in 30 very happy, if rollercoaster, years with Brigg.
There might well have been tangible benefits to playing for App-Frod 3rds - for one of their opening bowlers, back in the late 1970s, was Nev Holloway, the works catering manager, whose canteen I visited regularly.
I am under no illusions A-F and NPW could see the benefits of signing me were to get better press coverage, rather than any contributions on the field.
One season I remember bowling for Brigg against App-Frod 3rds, at Cemetery Road, when the then veteran ex-Redbourn CC batsman "Bull" Jackson hit me for the biggest six I ever conceded. And, believe me, that's saying something! It was during a dry-pitch season when I switched, briefly, from off-spin to leg-spin. Perhaps the record hot summer of 1976 - or was it 1977?.
After that I didn't dare dabble with the back-of-the-hand stuff!
Keith Wetherall, who these days phones through the scores of App-Frod 2nds' home matches in Lincs div one, was a young seam bowler in the A-F 3rds team of the late 1970s.
I recall playing them at Brigg Rec when our star all-rounder, Dave Foster, scored 120, which stood as the highest Lincs League knock by one of our club batsmen for many years.

FOURS OFF FRED

From Neil Simpson, Broughton CC


I have enclosed the scorecards of some matches relevant to your memories of facing Fred Graves.
The first encounter came 22/05/1976 in Broughton's first season in Lincs League cricket, in which Broughton achieved a winning draw with you surviving two balls of Mick Stothard's final over.
The match you referred to in your article was, in fact, exactly a year later. Chasing 132 to win, Brigg Town were bowled over cheaply for 32 with Fred taking 5 for 10 and Dave Atkinson, 5 for 9. (According to the scorecard it seems you only managed one snick through the slips for four).
I saw Fred today whilst watching our second team who also remembered it as an edge through slips to record your team's only boundary. Even though my dad didn't distinguish himself, conceding eight byes.
Later on that season, 30/07/1977, this time chasing one more run than the last match, Brigg were bowled out for 49 and Fred couldn't even get a bowl. He did score a brisk 32, though.
The scorebook is falling apart a bit now. It's had years in George Armstrong's shed to deal with and has clearly seen better days. However, notably, there were some other key performances in it. The match following the final Brigg defeat was at home to Cromwell Drewery. This featured the record 7th wicket stand for Lincs League division 3 between Pete 'Golly' Robinson (101) and Fred Graves (43) which was broken in July 2007 by our own Olly Reid and Danny Thompson.
Broughton were also on the end of one or two low scores. Notably our 2nd team being bowled out for 29 by Burton upon Stather (R Todd took 7 for 9). Also being bowled out for 54 by Normanby Park (a match in which Bob Welton was bowled Mick Stothard for 4). Preston Wallhead featured for Crowle Sports with 42, batting at nine, and 4 for 24 when he bowled. Plus there was Simon Allcock's only hundred for Broughton (107 against St John's).
The intermediate side which was featured earlier in your blog bowled Ian Dawson's Messingham out for 20 and 29 in the 1976 season.
Finally, as you can see, Brigg Town were not the only team to be bowled out for less than 50 in Broughton's early Lincs League days. Neighbours Brigg Sugar Factory were bowled out for 46 (Stothard and Graves both took 5 for 21) in June 1976. The scorecards of the 'derby' matches reveal a number of players who played for Brigg and laterly Broughton as we made our way up the Lincs League ladder. Dave 'Bootsy' Robinson; Graham, Martin and Keith Hunt; Colin Mumby and Garry Dunderdale all played for Broughton in the years following. In particular Graham, Col and Bootsy were to become key members of the Broughton side who, against all odds, found their way into the Lincs League Premier Division for the 1988 season.
When you consider Broughton lost players of the ability of Graham Wilson and Nigel Dobbs to bigger clubs, it proved to be a fantastic achievement. I hope village clubs like Cherry Willingham (whom I rate the best team I have played against), and Scothern, can take heart from the fact that even though they have lost key players to clubs in higher leagues, as long as you recruit cleverly and maintain your spirit you will eventually reach the pinnacle of club cricket.

I will be making a two-page feature of Neil's archive pix, and reflections on past glories, with pictures, in the next issue of Nostalgia magazine, published by the Scunthorpe Telegraph on September 2, priced 75p.


Nigel Fisher adds: I recall a couple of balls from Fred while facing which disappeared to the boundary. One is confirmed by the scorebook, reproduced here, as being off the bat. It could be another snick was given as four byes - eluding the efforts of keeper Dave Simpson - or I just remember seeing the ball disappear to the boundary and have wrongly assumed it hit the edge of the bat. Either way, eight valuable runs to our meagre total.

DOUBLE-CLICK THE SCAN OF THE SCORECARD TO VIEW THE DETAILS IN CLOSE-UP.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING NEW...

Scunthorpe Town Cricket Club is staging something completely different - a Twenty-20 tournament at Heslam Park on bank holiday Monday, August 31.
There will be four teams involved - two from Scunthorpe Town, one representing Scunthorpe rugby, plus a Yellowbellies' XI.
There will be a BBQ with burgers and sausages - £1.50 for a burger.
The cost will be £1 entry for all spectators and £5 for the players.
The first game will start at 10.30am with the final at 6pm.
Any umpires wishing to help out on the day will be welcome and are asked to contact STCC first team all-rounder Liam Redmond on 07703034439 - or email l.redmond@sky.com

OFF COME THE BAILS

Cleethorpes' veteran wicketkeeper Paul Hewstone stumps a Barton Town 2nds batsman during today’s Bob Welton Cup Semi-Final at Marsh Lane, which the Meggies won.
Another super action pic supplied by Graham Hackney.

NF adds: We've just had a helpful Facebook message from Barton batsman James Austin - still celebrating his Lincs League century yesterday - to identify the stumping victim as Jotty Van den Bos.

RAINING CHAMPS?

The second half of today's North Lindsey League game at Caistor, where Hibaldstow emerged comfortable winners, was played in constant rain after tea. Both teams accepted the conditions and were keen to play. It was unpleasant but certainly not dangerous, the bowlers having no trouble holding their feet.
Playing through rain isn't something seen anywhere near as often today as used to be the case 10, 20 or 30 years ago.
This match was played in great spirit, with plenty of laughs out in the middle - and some good cricket. Two of the highlights came from Hibaldstow's Paul Mitchell (once of Alkborough, now also on South Kelsey's books). He hit a huge six over long-on - quite a carry on Caistor's big ground - and then ran out one of the top-order Caistor batsmen with a 30-yard direct throw which removed middle stump.
Much amusement followed when Hibaldstow pace bowler Tom Cuthbert clipped the shoulder of a certain umpire while running in to bowl, shouted an apology as he kept going, and duly delivered the ball.
Nothing wrong with getting close to the stumps when you bowl, young Tom, but umpires don't have eyes in the back of their heads. Maybe 'elf and safety will decree we carry warning signs on our coats in the future.
DANGER - OLD MAN AT WORK?
It was good to meet up with some old mates in the clubhouse, including the ever-present Wes Allison, and Lincs League chairman Bob Welton in his usual seat at the end of the bar.

WHEN I'M 64

There's a classic Beatles line: "Will you still need me?...will you still feed me?...when I'm 64?"
Well, in the case of Fred Bacchus, Scunthorpe Town 3rds' slow-medium bowler, the answer is most certainly yes.
At an age when most have long retired, he's still enjoying some excellent hauls of wickets - including six yesterday - in division four of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League.
Fred is seen above - back row, second left - in the Scunthorpe 3rds line-up captained by another senior practitioner, Alan Pashley (fourth from right, back row). Also still chipping in to good effect, especially as a highly effective slip fielder, is 55-year old Mohammed (Iggy) Ibrahim (back row, extreme left).
The long-serving panel umpire seen with the lads is George Armstrong, from Broughton.
PS Scunthorpe feed Fred, and opposing teams, very well at tea-time - just in case you were wondering about the other phrase in the song!

Tip: Double-click on the picture to see the lads in high-res close-up.

IT'S JUST A PERFECT DAY

Hessle 2nds brought a mini-bus for yesterday's East Yorkshire Alliance division three match at Brigg 2nds, secured a whopping victory (one batsman helping himself to a big century), then went into town to enjoy some of the many pubs on offer.
Sounds like a perfect day. Cue song from Lou Reed.

BOG STANDARD ARRANGEMENT

There's one ground on the circuit where the umpires are required to get changed in a toilet; another where they are alongside the central heating boiler; one where a garden shed provides their accommodation...and a number of others where there's no separate room set aside for officials, meaning it's put-your-boots-on-in-the-car time.
This is not meant as a criticism - just a statement of fact for clubs to ponder.

MAN IN GENTLEMEN

Geoff Toyne was an umpire who hated any form of time-wasting, or anything that delayed the speedy progression of the match.
He had a distinctive voice, and his catchphrase was: "Man in, gentlemen!" He uttered this EVERY time a wicket fell and the fielders congregated to congratulate the successful bowler.
Another Geoff favourite was: "Hold your bat up straight!" delivered to batsmen taking guard.
He would have been very unimpressed with some of today's games where the over-rate falls to 14 an hour.

BUTTERSCOTCH BERT FROM BOTTESFORD

Umpires in the North Lindsey League, which involves teams from North Notts, North Lincs, West Lindsey and North East Lincs, award marks after every match for the sportsmanship of the teams. These are then totted up to decide the end-of-season winner of the Bert Hill Trophy.
But players from beyond the Scunthorpe area - of which there are now many - might be forgiven for wondering who Bert Hill was.
Well, he lived in Bottesford and was a senior umpire on the Scunthorpe and District panel, also making the match appointments for many years.
Whenever, and wherever, Bert umpired there were plenty of takers for the position of square leg - not usually a favourite. For Bert always carried a bag or two of sweets, with butterscotch a particular favourite. He was very generous with his 'goodies' while you were chatting away to him between deliveries.
Which was why, certainly in our club, he gained the nickname Butterscotch Bert.
One of the great characters of the game - and a very hard-worker behind the scenes for local cricket.

RASEN REVISITED

This afternoon I'll be meeting up with the new Market Rasen 2nds for the first time in Lincs div four. Rasen have re-introduced a 2nd X1 this season, playing in Lincs div four, having had a second side in the competition for a good number of years until they had to cut back. Good to see they are strengthening the club in this way.
Of the other newly-elected teams this season I've already observed Brigg Town in the Lincs League (from the sidelines at The Rec), and officiated in Morton's famous George Marshall Trophy giant-killing victory over Barton Town at Marsh Lane (sorry to mention that again Gareth, Ian, Ozz and Co!).
Washinborough, being from the Lincoln area, I've yet to encounter, but they are doing very well, and currently top the table.
I well remember playing against the previous Rasen 2nds, particularly one match at Rase Park when we were chasing a sizeable total, and doing very, very well, until our star batter, Adam Dunderdale, faced a veteran slow bowler - I think his nickname was Tink (Taylor?). He immediately tossed one right up and our man was drawn down the track, and out he went. After that we fell away and lost - narrowly.
I'll try to get his name confirmed this afternoon.
You usually expect 2nd X1s in the basement section to be a good mix of veterans and up-and-coming youngsters. And that's certainly the case with Scunthorpe Town 3rds, who today host Rasen 2nds at Hibaldstow, where they play their home fixtures on a ground share basis with the villagers, using Jon Taylor's renowned track, which deservedly won him the Lincs Groundsman of the Year Trophy for 2008.
I note Andy Yeadon and Fred Bacchus are still going strong for Town's lowest team in the Lincs League. Fred, of course, is another who fits into the super vet category, previously mentioned on Lincs Cricket Latest, alongside Bob Welton, Preston Wallhead, Bob Leafe and John Indian. Fred - always so neatly attired - does not look anything like his age, which we are not going to reveal.
It could be that a Minor Counties KO Cup tie I once covered for the Telegraph was Rasen's only senior county fixture at Rase Park - must have been the mid to late 1980s. Anyone confirm that?
Lincs League officials and club delegates meet up there for all our regulars meetings, including the October AGM, courtesy of the hospitable Market Rasen club.
More drinking, less talking would help to boost the income over the bar, though.

TAKE A LEAFE...

By Nigel Fisher
Bob Leafe, the former Lincolnshire Minor Counties batsman who has given such sterling service to Cleethorpes CC down the decades, is approaching the magnificent milestone of 35,000 runs for the Meggies.
And, amazingly, this is the strokemaker's 50th successive season playing for his beloved club!
Before the current campaign started - and these days he plays for the 4ths in Lincs League division two - Bob had scored 34,357 runs; so far in 2009 he has managed 425 - so club colleagues reckon he needs only another 218 to achieve this super feat.
"Both must be some kind of record," suggests Paul Hewstone, who has kindly supplied Lincs Cricket Latest with a chart listing all Bob's season-by-season batting statistics since his debut way back in 1960.
That first season, his solitary knock was two not out), but the 1961 campaign saw him record his initial half-century.
It was not until 1964 that Bob became a regular, scoring 470 runs in 24 games - and holding an impressive 15 catches.
During the 1970s his seasonal batting average never dropped below 20 - and reached a high of 39. Things then got even better during the following decade, with 1986 a memorable season, producing 1,124 runs at 40.14.
Moving on down the years, 1996 was another bumper one for Bob, during which he stroked 1,234 at 41.43. But the evergreen batter - despite advancing years - even managed to improve on that. For, during 2002, he averaged a very impressive 41.94 - and in 2005 that went up to the dizzy heights of 43.08.
Last summer he averaged 20.95 - a figure most Lincs League batsmen half, or even one-third of his age - would happily settle for.
From 1984, until nine years ago, he regularly appeared in the Yorkshire League, and even today, in the 4ths, he's turning out in the third tier of Lincs League cricket - a decent standard.
I've counted 14 in the centuries column of Bob's career chart, the last being in 2002.
So it would be fitting if, in his 50th season, he could reach three-figures yet again.


PS Although Bob has shown himself a decent enough bowler for the In A Spin X1 in the August bank holiday charity fixtures at Outcasts CC, he has turned his arm over very, very rarely for the Meggies. Just 20.2 overs, infact, and a career total of three wickets, two of which came in 2007. If you were one of Bob's victims that day, hang your head in shame!

DYLAN MEETS DICKIE AND 'FIERY'

Picture and story from Gary M Smith

Brigg Town CC cricketer Dylan Hildreth celebrated his last few days as a bachelor by having a few 'stag days' of his own choice. Three were spent at Scarborough, watching the County Championship match between Yorkshire and Notts. The event turned up a few characters from Lincolnshire and the wider cricketing world.
None more famous than Harold 'Dickie' Bird, pictured here with Dylan before the match.
One of Dickie's dearest cricketing friends was 'Fiery' Fred Trueman, who is sadly no longer with us - but he did meet another 'Fiery', in the form of Alan Holborn, once of Normanby Park Works and Scunthorpe Town.
'Fiery' spotted Scunthorpe scorer Jack Abbey sitting with the stag party and told us he is still playing for Bishop Auckland, near Durham, and at a high standard.
Jack had been given free members' area passes from Dickie Bird but declined and sat in the 'Bleechers' with the non-members.
Others spotted were Charles and Lewis Strange (Brockelsby Park); Mike Campion, Dennis Wadd (App-Frod); Gig Smith, Gary Smith, Jack Richards and Alan Ford (Brigg Town); plus Bruce Holloway (Scunthorpe Town).
Dylan spent a night out on the town with two of Nottinghamshire's England players in close proximity throughout the night, Samit Patel and Darrin Pattinson, who were strictly limited to soft drinks only - and an early night!

POSSIBLE ENGLAND SELECTION

Picture and story from Graham Hackney

Congratulations to young Cleethorpes 1st X1 off-spinner Harry Clewett who has been selected to represent the Midlands at U-15 level in the 23rd Bunbury ESCA Festival, starting at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey, next week. It is from this festival that England select their Junior sides.
Good luck, Harry, from everyone at Cleethorpes!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

You may be wondering why Lincs Cricket Latest is "plugging" a football magazine. Well, because it's edited by Mike Berry, who has long-standing journalistic connections with Lincolnshire.
Mike was a freelance journalist specialising, during the summer months, in publicising the entire Minor Counties competition - East and West - at a time when much of the media ignored it. He contributed copy to quality national papers, and could often be in three or four places at once. That was because he had some reliable 'stringers' in counties like Lincs, whom he could ring for accurate information. Me, Lenny Skinns, Joe Minkley...and Lincs scorer Al Shorter (from Cleethorpes) were on his list, although, as they say, in no particular order.
I stood in for Mike a few times on important games, such as when the Minor Counties played Zimbabwe at Cleethorpes, and also the touring match against Sri Lanka, getting my first (possibly only) cricket report in the Telegraph (the national newspaper of renown). I also provided updates for the PA (Press Association), the national news agency which supplies TV, radio and newspapers with so much of their content. Mike sometimes turned up at Lincs games - and I often saw him when our lads were playing away in Staffordshire, Hertfordshire, or other counties nearer to his base in the Midlands. Mike also went on to produce a magazine about the Minor Counties.
I've seen a couple of earlier copies of Backpass and they were excellent, if you watched football decades ago. Mike has suggested 'yours truly' might pen a few articles, but has left the choice of subject open. Cricketing footballers might be worth considering. How about ex-Grimsby and Southampton wing-half Brian Clifton (formerly a batsman with SCM)? Ann Boulton says she's seen him at the Grimsby Knockout this summer. Once this cricket season is over, and I have a bit more time on my hands, I'll see what can be done to make a contribution to Backpass.
Here's Mike Berry's advert for the next issue, produced free of charge in return for all the help, and advice, not to mention bits of paid work, he gave me in the 1980s, when covering the Minor Counties circuit myself.
I see Duncan McKenzie is among those mentioned in the next issue. Didn't he hail from the Grimsby area?

BACKPASS

THE RETRO FOOTBALL MAGAZINE

Dedicated to the 60s, 70s and 80s

NOW THE FASTEST GROWING FOOTBALL MAGAZINE IN THE UK

ISSUE 8 WILL BE IN THE SHOPS FROM AUGUST 4
OR YOU CAN ORDER A COPY VIA THE WEBSITE
www.backpassmagazine.co.uk



IN ISSUE 8 READ WHO DUNCAN McKENZIE SAYS WAS THE HARDEST FOOTBALLER ON MERSEYSIDE IN THE 1970s - AND IT'S NOT TOMMY SMITH!

WE PUT FRANK O'FARRELL ON THE SPOT - WAS HE TREATED SHABBILY BY MANCHESTER UNITED?

HEAR FROM THE ONLY PLAYER SIGNED BY BOTH BILL SHANKLY AND DON REVIE

AND WHY DUNCAN EDWARDS WAS FINED IN MANCHESTER MAGISTRATES' COURT!

PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE, including the 1960 European Cup final, the ill-fated Debenhams Cup, Alun Evans, Terry Paine, Ernie Moss, Colin Lee, Bill Lucas, Wyn Davies, Cliff Jones, Terry Mancini, Ken Furphy, Coventry Sporting Club, the 1984-85 season, Stoke City's Delilah, a Birmingham City Dream Team, Football Weekly News magazine and the late Billy Baxter. And the chance to win a copy of 150 BC, CLOUGHIE THE INSIDE STORIES, and the OFFICIAL 2009-10 FOOTBALL YEARBOOK.

VERY GOOD CAUSE INDEED

From Ann Boulton

The late, much missed, Norman McVicker over the years collected, and edited, a host of cricketing tales which his widow, Rosemary, has now had published.
The book is called (surprise!) Cricketing Tales and costs £5 from Cleethorpes Cricket Club, or £6.50 (p+p included) if you buy it on Amazon. All money raised goes to support junior cricket at Cleethorpes CC.
It is selling very well and is already into its first re-print. Can you give it a bit of publicity on the site?


Nigel Fisher adds

Norman was often to be seen supporting Lincolnshire Minor Counties matches decades after he enjoyed any playing connections with our county club. He graduated to first class cricket with Warwickshire and was a good all-rounder at that level. I met his widow - a very nice lady - pre-season when giving a talk at Cleethorpes CC to the Lincolnshire Cricket Lovers, which she attended. Many Lincs cricket followers kept an eye on Norman's progress in his first class days, especially televised Sunday games in the old John Player League (40 overs a side).
I'm going to suggest Cricketing Tales would make a good birthday present, or even Christmas stocking-filler. Not too expensive, either. And it's all for a very good cause.

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER

One of Broughton Cricket Club's finest all-rounders of the past, Fred Graves, in an after-match shot kindly supplied from the club archives by Neil Simpson.
Fred was a fast bowler who bowled at the stumps, and a batsman who could hit the ball a long way - and often. Which he did for years in Broughton's cause.
Just after Brigg had got into the Lincs League for the first time, in the late 1970s, we won some early-season games and then visited Broughton - full of confidence.
We then came up against Fred for the first time, making about 30 all-out, in which 'yours truly' managed a couple of snicks through the slips for four.

NOON START FOR MEGGIES

By Graham Hackney

Sunday saw Cleethorpes’ North Lindsey clash with Scunthorpe Town abandoned at the tea interval with Scunthorpe having posted 182-7 in their 40 overs. Alex Osmond was the pick of the Cleethorpes bowlers with 2/43 in nine overs, with brother James claiming 2/51 in 11 overs. Mike Shelton (1/32 in 9) was the other wicket-taker. Cleethorpes take one point from the abandonment to remain top of the division by a point from Appleby-Frodingham.

This Saturday Cleethorpes 1st X1 entertain Driffield at Chichester Road in the Yorkshire ECB Premier league (12 noon start). The 2nd X1 face a tough trip to Hartsholme on Saturday, despite bowling the same opposition out for just 62 at Cleethorpes a fortnight ago. Paul Hewstone’s 3rd X1 take on Scunthorpe Town in a top two clash at the Stamford Club this Saturday (1.30pm start) while the 4ths travel to Caistor 2nds.

Sunday sees the 3rd X1 travel to Barton Town for a Bob Welton Cup Semi-final with Cleethorpes, looking to retain the trophy they picked up last season.
Cleethorpes' North Lindsey side take on a strong Marshalls outfit at home on Sunday, with the Academy youngsters making the long trip to Friskney in the East Lindsey League.

Pictured - courtesy of Graham Hackney: Elliott Drinkell, who finished agonisingly short of a century for Cleethorpes 3rds at Grimsby Town last Sunday.

TEST LADIES HEAD FOR LOUTH

From Lee Freeman, Louth CC

Any chance you could mention on your blog our match against the England Women's Test side on Friday, 14th August to commemorate the official opening of our new ground at London Road.
They are bringing their full Ashes-winning side and the match is followed
by a ball at Louth Town Hall in the evening.
The team are attending the
ball and tickets are £30, and available from myself or Stewart West.
Should be a great day's cricket (a Pro 40 match) against Louth 1st team.
All welcome - entry is £5 on the day.

TOURNEY TIME

Make a firm diary note about this year's Cleethorpes Cricket Club 20/20 competition, to be played at their Chichester Road ground on Sunday,September 6.
Paul Hewstone tells Lincs Cricket Latest: "This is the fifth year we have held this event and we expect this is to the biggest and best yet. Play starts at 10.30am and admission is free. If anyone wants any more information on this event then feel free to point them in the direction of either Graham Hackney or myself."
If you want pointing, email paul.hewstone@uk.dsv.com or ackers7@ntlworld.com

OLDEST BAT SWINGER IN TOWN?

Recent discussion on Lincs Cricket Latest about the oldest current player turning out regularly in the Lincs League has promoted league chairman Bob Welton to rule out himself, vice-chairman Preston Wallhead, and Keelby bowler John Indian.
That would seem to leave the honour with Bob Leafe, the Cleethorpes 4ths batsman, seen here being bowled against Messingham 2nds, in another super action pic supplied by Graham Hackney.
Bob W reckons we should have Bob L's date of birth in the Lincs League registration database, but that info will stay locked away...for my eyes only!

ACES HIGH

Current business trips over the Humber Bridge to Hull always bring back memories of the days when BP Aces and BP Chemicals competed in the old Humberside Alliance.
For a time, under a sponsorship arrangement, Humberside County Council met the bridge tolls for teams from our side of the river who visited these two northerly outposts at Saltend. All to do with unifying the county.
Among the BP squad was a certain Paul Heaton, lead singer with top pop groups The Housemartins and The Beautiful South.
You don't have to work too hard to guess Mr Heaton's ideal score.
Yes, of course, it would be A Perfect 10!

'WINKIE' RETURNS

Surprisingly spotted on a scoresheet in the Lincs League last week, Graham Day, the former Appleby-Frodingham Yorkshire League keeper/batsman, who also turned out for the old Lincolnshire NCA side, many moons ago, when his career was at its zenith.
This was a last-minute, emergency come-out-of-retirement appearance in the basement section, division four (press-ganged in a pub), and we do not think "Winkie" is contemplating a full-time comeback.
He made 18, by the way, on his return to the fold.

FAVOURITE GROUNDS

We welcome your nominations, and reasons...
My personal favourites include East Halton, Nettleton Mines (now home to South Kelsey), Blyton, Grimsby BRSA, SCM (currently the base of Stamford Homes), Foxhills (Scunthorpe), Rustons (Lincoln), Haxey, Outcasts, Barton Town, Immingham Blossom Way (previously BRSA), South Kelsey (the old village ground at Skipworth Ridge), Littlefields (Grimsby), Owmby, Grimsby Town, North Thoresby, Ross Sports, Brocklesby Park and finally Elsham (yes, I'm old enough!).
Post your favourites now - or email scoopfisher@aol.com

BITS AND PIECES

Who recalls getting changed in the old wooden pavilions at the Co-op and High Ridge grounds, off Brumby Wood Lane, Scunthorpe?
You had to contend with some awful wooden spinters which used to stick in the soles of your feet.
Today's 'elf and safety would have had a field day back then!
Scunthorpe Town 3rds and 4ths, and Nuform, used these grounds - among other teams.
From time to time, while fielding at the Co-op ground, players used to hit the deck as swarms of bees flew across the square.

LEARNING CURVE

There's nothing wrong with today's young cricketers donning helmets and arm-guards when batting, but it was all very different in the self-taught days of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
As Phil Glentworth, of Broughton (and others) well recall, our cricketing upbringing involved self-made games on a rough stretch of grass squeezed between Brigg Rec Ground, the houses on South View Avenue and Woodbine Avenue prefabs (demolished in the late 1970s).
Phil - a few years younger than me - recalls that 'yours truly' brought along a Slazenger bat, which we all shared (batting alone, not with a partner), and four stumps, plus a composition ball (hard, but with no seam).
No pads, no gloves, no boxes!
The rule was 'six and out - and fetch' if you hit the ball into a nearby garden (on the basis we might not get it back from the upset householder!).
Col Mumby (still signed on with Broughton 2nds today, though he's pushing 60) was a bit older than us but used to come down sometimes for a brief bat. Until he hit the ball into a panel on someone's asbestos garage, when we were left to face the music.
Medium-pacer Dean Nutbrown, who played for Brigg but mostly Broughton, was among our group who went on to play club cricket, along with Martin Hunt (Brigg and Broughton), plus brother Simon Fisher (Brigg Town swing bowler who once took a hat-trick against Grimsby BRSA), and the more junior Phil Glentworth, of course.
Our batting strip was never cut, nor rolled. No wonder we developed 'a good eye for the ball'. Having moved into club cricket, the likes of Barrett's and Bradley sportsgrounds, in the old Grimsby League, seemed like billiard tables to us.
Now a surprise for Phil Glentworth...I have kept the book containing all the scores recorded for our games on the old ground, over several years. Unbelievable, but true. It's upstairs, somewhere, among my collection of old pictures.
Back then we used to play matches morning, afternoon and night - every day, from early May to mid-August (when football took over). Hundreds of mini-matches a season.
Maybe, when I've looked out the old collection, we will share some of the career records with readers of Lincs Cricket Latest.
Going from memory, I think my best 'down the field' was something like 148 - almost double my best effort in club cricket over 30 years. Phil, of course, has done much better than that during his days with Broughton.
But is early 1970s playing field cricket against club matches a level playing field for comparisons?

WORST CRICKETING MOMENT

Let's have your nominations...
Mine is the day when Brigg Town completed the North Lindsey League double - divisional cup and league winners in the same season, not that many years ago.
After much beer back at the Black Bull we enjoyed a bite to eat and went on to Steve Marshall's house for a bit of a party (he lives near the town centre).
It was getting light when I bade farewell to Marsh and Hayley to totter my way home through the streets, only to discover Mrs Fisher had gone home hours earlier and (not unreasonably) locked the door before retiring to sleep off a few pints of amber nectar.
Unfortunately, I had not taken my key with me and, as she was upstairs (sleeping soundly) the only option was to bed down in the shed for the remainder of the night.
BBQ charcoal made a decent pillow but, being 6ft, both feet were dangling out the shed door. And it seemed pretty chilly, despite being August.
It must have been well after 8am before a rather surprised Mrs F finally unlocked the door and the very long journey home was completed.
The league and cup double had been completed at Birch Park, Bottesford, where 'yours truly' was given the opportunity to come on and bowl at the home side's last pair to somehow secure the wicket which gained us the double.
Just as well we had plenty of runs to play with!

GET YOUR NAME DOWN NOW!

If you are 50-plus, or approaching the milestone, and want to play in the annual charity match at Outcasts CC on August bank holiday Monday, please get in touch with me NOW.
You can post a comment here, email scoopfisher@aol.com or call 01652 655134 and leave a message on the answer machine.
It used to be Nigel Fisher's In A Spin X1 v Ian Fletcher's X1 - but we will now be operating under the banner of Lincs Cricket Latest Line-Up.
Scunthorpe Town CC are running a tournament on Bank Holiday Monday which clashes with our annual match, and a number of seniors who might have been playing at Hirst Priory (2pm start) are expected to be at Heslam Park instead (including John Danson, Willie McVey and Dave Willey). A few of our regulars are also on the injured list. So there are a few concerns about getting a team out, which is where YOU might be able to help.
Our match is all in a good cause, as usual, but we need to start getting a team together to represent this website.
The teas, provided by the Outcasts ladies' section, are brilliant - and Rick Green (ex-Scunthorpe United striker and notable Isle of Axholme cricketer) puts bags of effort into ensuring a super array of raffle prizes.
Fletch, captain of Outcasts 2nds in Lincs div three, always makes an early start when it comes to snapping up available, and eligible veteran talent, whereas we tend to leave things until much later.
Get in touch now, if you fit the bill and want a game!

PIGGY HOGS LIMELIGHT

It was good to see Graham "Piggy" Pinder today after an absence of two or three years. The genial giant of a senior batsman wasn't fit enough to play for Marshalls (Gainsborough), in North Lindsey divison one against Broughton, but did the scoring, oversaw the tea arrangements, sorted the scoresheet, handed over fees to the umpires...and a few other jobs.
He's a fine clubman but perhaps it was a good thing he wasn't in the team - for the last couple of times I've umpired Marshalls (which doesn't happen too often) he's ended up injured, including top-edging a ball into his eyebrow a few years back at Caistor. As I told him before the game: "I am not a lucky Talisman for you!"
We got rained off just before the conclusion of the Marshalls innings - threatening, billowing clouds sweeping in which reminded me of a scene from the classic comedy film Ghost Busters, when New York came under threat from very dark forces.
I pointed this comparison out to one of the youngest Broughton fielders, who had no idea what I was taking about. The good old generation gap demonstrated yet again!
The match saw an appearance by Phil Glentworth, the long-serving Broughton all-rounder, who featured alongside the next generation of this cricketeting family, promising opening bowler Robbie.
Marshalls had a heavily-built lower order batsman called Fred who had an even bulkier frame than his namesake England and Lancashire all-rounder. The big-hitting Gainsborough Fred blasted a ball to mid-off, where Phil attempted a catch, only for the rapidly moving ball to ricochet off his chest and go to ground. Phil, who is of ample girth himself these days, never flinched, even though the impact would have floored most of us.
Robbie, according to Phil, has "dined out all week" on the story of his over-the-head sweep shot for four(reported last Sunday on Lincs Cricket Latest from Brumby Hall, Scunthorpe).
After today's game, Phil couldn't resist a light-hearted comment about a certain umpire who, it seems, failed to hear a snick behind to the keeper, and gave the young batsman the benefit of the doubt.
But that has, in no way, affected the marks awarded for the Bert Hill Sportsmanship Trophy, both Broughton and Marshalls getting a resounding nine our of 10. Well deserved, too.
It's a great idea by the North Lindsey League to get match umpires to award marks for teams' good conduct, week in, week out - a clear incentive to encourage everyone to accept decisions and play within the Spirit of the Game.
Perhaps the Lincolnshire League, and a few others, could follow suit with a similar trophy.
As hearing loss seems to be hereditary in the male side of our family, and tinnitus is not an affliction you would wish on anyone, Phil's comment adds further weight to Mrs Fisher's long-standing pleas for the purchase of a suitable hearing aid.
One of the things holding me back (apart from vanity) is that once the dreaded gadget is in position in the left ear, there will be no excuses!

FELIX ON THE MOVE

From Ann Boulton

If my memory serves me correctly, Felix Holt went to play for Hibaldstow and took lots of wickets. We have met Brian Clifton a few times recently at the Grimsby Town Knock Out.

Nigel Fisher adds: We used to enjoy a chat and a pint with Felix on Saturday nights in the Black Bull at Brigg. Facing him as a batsman was a bit daunting, as he had a very useful yorker. Best to keep your toes out the way. He was pretty rapid by our standards, in the lower end of the Lincs League. I remember surviving against him for some time at Brigg Rec, when we made a very low score one Sunday, by batting three yards out the crease. The tactic didn't result in many runs but at least it was possible to keep his deliveries away from the stumps. That would have been a Lindsey League encounter but I can't recall if he was playing for Hibaldstow or Kirton.

MERE MEMORIES

Today's scene at the Redbourne Mere ground used by Kirton Lindsey Cricket Club during their time in the Alliance and Lincolnshire League.
How many more senior Lincs Cricket Latest followers remember facing paceman Felix Holt and stalwarts like Bill Ella?
Football is clearly being played on the field, which looks in good nick.
The buildings in the background of our picture belong to the town's Huntcliff school.

BIG DAY

Scunthorpe Town were without several regulars for Saturday's Lincs League home game, including first team skipper Neil Patrick, as they were honoured guests at the wedding of one of the Scunthorpe Rugby Union Club players, the reception being held in a specially erected marquee, involving a shortening of the boundary near the clubhouse.

IN TOWN TODAY

It was pleasing to see Morton apply for, and gain, admission to the Lincolnshire League this season, as it's surely high time a major town like Gainsborough was represented in the county's long-established Saturday League.
I'm visiting the Trenside town today, weather permitting, for a North Lindsey League game involving Marshalls. Such trips always bring back memories of the very first game played by the South Humberside Alliance Representative X1, which was against Bassetlaw League Marshalls at this ground.
It was great to bring together players from various clubs, and somewhere I have a photo of the Alliance team, taken on a day when the weather was decidedly damp.
If memory serves me correctly, SCM batsman Brian Clifton was playing. A great bloke who was a notable footballer for Grimsby Town in his day.
Other names springing to mind are Roy Bamford; the Belton opening bowler, Don Tolson, the Norsk Hydro batsman; Scunthorpe Town 3rds' veteran leg-spinner Alan Wilson and keeper John Harlow; plus Brigg Town's Gig Smith and Alan Brock.
The Alliance ran this Rep side for a few seasons, latterly playing Cuxwold and Brocklesby Park in Sunday games. In one of the last I recall playing for Brocklesby when I had the misfortune to be in the covers when Andy Hardy (SCM, now Grimsby Town 2nds) was blasting the ball through that area.
Returning to Gainsborough memories, we had some enjoyable times down the years playing, and umpiring, at Chick Barratt's Roses - sadly no longer in the North Lindsey League.
In earlier times we crossed the Trent bridge to take on Holy Trinity - close to the Notts border.
The cross-country route I take to get from Brigg to Gainsborough takes me past Kirton Lindsey, who were once a force in the Alliance, Lincolnshire League and latterly the North Lindsey; and through Blyton, where the amiable Motty and Co, including Dicky Henderson, would take up for tea, and a beer, at the village club.
Worth taking the wife and kids there, too, to send them down to the famed ice cream parlour, not far from the ground, and bank a few 'brownie points'.
Happy days, now sadly gone for many of us, as Blyton no longer compete in the Lindsey League.

ONE SMALL STEP...ONE GIANT LEAP

By Glen Sands

Luddington took a giant step towards clinching the Snaith & District Evening League Division One title last Thursday when they beat a very spirited Goole Acadamy side at their Park Lane ground.
The game began with spots of rain falling but that didn't give opener Andy Lawson any problems as he struck the ball to all parts in another dominent display. Fellow opener Darren Clark on the other hand was superbly caught by Jake Mahoney off the bowling of Will O'Donnell without scoring once again with his new bat which is proving to be a rather costly item as he has yet to score a run with it in two outings , then his brother Graham was brilliantly stumped by Goole's outstanding 16 year old wicket keeper Ben Earl who went on to play a major part both behind the stumps and with the bat. Lawson and Andy Torr took the total to 58 before Torr was caught by Earl off the bowling of Ashton Nottingham for 10 then Peter Tait became Earl's third victim when he once again whipped off the bails to send Tait back to the pavilion for nine , earning Jake Mahoney a wicket. Lawson continued to plunder runs at will taking his season's six hitting tally past the 50 mark during his score of 62 then he was well caught by O'Donnell at deep mid off from the bowling of skipper Louis Moore with the overall total on 93.Russell Fletcher and Jason Whiteley took the score past three figures before Earl whipped off Whiteley's bails for his fourth victim , this time off Scott Thorpe's bowling and Thorpe then bowled Danny Taylor for 0 in the same over as Goole struck back hard. Fletcher eventually went for 9 , caught by Nick Holah off Thorpe and that man Earl took another catch behind the stumps, off Moore to remove Liam McAnaney for 10. Thorpe wrapped up the innings when trapping Graeme Fletcher LBW for 0 leaving Luddington 120 all out and giving Thorpe terrific figures of 4 for 7 from 3.3 overs.
Goole's reply began with the rain falling a little more heavily than in the Luddington innings but to their credit the teams chose to carry on and were rewarded when it eased off after a few overs. Ben Earl and Jake Mahoney opened the innings but Mahoney had reached three when he was caught in gully by Andy Torr off Liam McAnaney. Scott Thorpe went to the crease with just one intention and for a while his big hitting appeared to be working until he edged a catch to wicket keeper Darren Clark off McAnaney for 13 with the total on 26. Earl and Nicky Holah then pieced together a stand of 34 runs and looked to be guiding Goole to a morale boosting victory over their Snaith Shield Final opponents but then he was trapped LBW by Jonathan Wroot for 30 , shuffling across his stumps and missing a straight one. Grant Houghimestra joined Holah and to their credit the two youngsters still kept picking up the runsbut with boundaries required and Ludd fielding well the likely hood of a run out became ever more possible and sure enough Houghimestra went for one run too many and was out for 12 with the total on 87. The weather was closing in with the rain becoming heavier once again but neither suide appeared to want to come off and so the game continued. Holah had reached an excellent 28 when he was bowled by Graham Clark with Goole needing 24 from the last three overs but his demise signalled something of a collapse as skipper Moore was bowled by Graeme Fletcher for 5 and Will O'Donnell bowled by Graham Clark for 4. By now the rain was pouring down but with only an over to go the teams finished it off in the gloom, Goole finishing on 107 for 7 , some 14 runs short of their target.
Both teams are to be congratulated for their determination to get the game finished despite the steady deterioration of the weather. Goole have a very young but very exciting team that will only improve as they continue to play together. Ben Earl in particular is a tremendous prospect and has the potential to go on to great things in the game. Luddington would like to thank Gordon and Karen from the River Don for sponsoring the match ball in this game.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

We gather former South Kelsey 2nd X1 captain, and dogged batsman, Neil Wright, now lives in the Spilsby area. Readers of Lincs Cricket Latest obviously enjoyed the previous post about Neil's slow style of batting.
He was a fine clubman and quite a successful skipper.

OVER AND OUT

Tonight's Lincs League mid-season meeting was concluded in record time - half an hour!
Chairman Bob Welton (Holton-le-Clay CC) rang up, just before the scheduled 7.30pm start, to say he had been delayed at work and was on his way.
Vice-chairman Preston Wallhead (Outcasts) stepped in, and we raced through the items so rapidly that when Bob finally arrived at Rase Park, Market Rasen, only Any Other Business remained.
In a nutshell, everyone seemed happy with the way the league's running - officials, clubs and umpires' representatives from Lincoln and Scunthorpe.
There was a good turn-out, too, with just a couple of clubs absent.
Brief reports were given by treasurer Bryan Simpson (Broughton CC), general secretary Mike Savage (Old Lincolnians), yours truly (ex-Brigg Town), fixture secretary Glen Sands (Outcasts) and statistician Andy Sharp (Keelby).
There were a couple of items of interest - one involving the Lincs premier division and the other a suggestion of how new technology might be embraced when it comes to notifying match results.
Keep reading for full details, in due course.

GOING NUTS

Often seen at Brumby Hall, Scunthorpe, scampering round the boundary, and even on the outfield, is a grey squirrel.
The App-Frod lads have seen it so often they hardly bat an eyelid - but its antics always amuse me when I see it.

HANDY ANDY

From Ann Boulton

Lincs ECB Premier League player Andy Carter set a new Nottinghamshire 2nd XI record in their recent victory over Warwickshire. Andy, who has a one-year contract with Notts, followed up his first innings figures of six for 43 by taking seven for 56 in the second innings bringing his total of 2nd XI wickets to 34 in five matches.
His match figures against Warwickshire of 13 for 99 were the best ever figures for a Notts bowler in the Second Eleven Championship, beating the 13 for 123 taken by Richard Bates - son of late Lincs ECB Premier League chairman Terry - against Hampshire in 1996.
Andy is from Bardney and is currently registered with Bracebridge Heath.

EXTENSIVE COVERAGE

Cricket folk visiting this site who are not regular readers of the local Press should be made aware that there's a wealth of info on our favourite sport in the Grimsby Telegraph, the Scunthorpe Telegraph and the Lincolnshire Echo. Quite a deal of which is penned by 'yours truly' - even though he's no longer on the staff.
A resume of the highlights of Lincs League matches, with scores, is written on Sunday morning and emailed to the respective sports desks, whose action photographers will have been out and about at previous day's games.
On Tuesday, once the scorecards have arrived, we pen lengthy reports of matches (more than 2,000 words - sometimes 3,000), generally mentioning batsmen who score above 30 and bowlers who manage two, three or more wickets.
And finally...there's the preview of matches, written for use each Friday - outlining the games to watch over the forthcoming weekend, with an up-to-date fixture list.
Supporting the reports are league tables and averages.
Some of our output also finds its way onto the newspapers' websites.
My old employer, the Scunthorpe Telegraph, has long devoted a couple of pages to the match reports on a Thursday, which looks superb - accompanied by action pictures from staff photographers Katie Lunn, David Haber and Paul Torrie.
Call me a bit of a dinosaur, if you will, but to me seeing things in print, in a newspaper, has something all of its own. As you may have gathered, I love to pore over old scorecards in fading, yellow-coloured newspapers from decades ago. To me it's not quite the same looking at things on a computer screen.

BLADES BLUNTED

Alex Osmond, of Cleethorpes CC, bowls a Sheffield United batsman during the Yorkshire League clash - kindly supplied by Graham Hackney.

QUICK REMINDER

The Lincolnshire League holds its mid-season meeting tomorrow night at Rase Park, Market Rasen (7.30pm), which all member clubs should attend.
I'm going to be in a rush to get there, as I'm working at the Hull Mail tomorrow until 5pm-ish.
If I don't get there on time will someone kindly tender my apologies?

HOWZaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaT?

Peter Thompson successfully appeals for a leg-before decision during Cleethorpes 2nds' home win over Hartsholme at Chichester Road on Saturday, the Meggies going top of the Lincs League premier division.

Yet another super action picture supplied by Graham Hackey, Cleethorpes CC.

CAREER BEST FOR MACCA

From Glen Sands - Our Man In t' Isle

Outcasts 3rds gained revenge for their shock defeat at Luddington on July 5 when they beat their Isle of Axholme neighbours quite comprehensively at Hirsts Priory last Sunday.
They were invited to bat first by visiting skipper Graham Clark and having drafted in the clubs in form batsman Jamie Belton the Priorymen made a good start as he and Danny Taylor added 43 before the first wicket fell , Taylor being trapped LBW by Graham Clark for 16. Andy Lawson joined Belton in the middle and soon moved the score on to 63, only for Belton to then hoist a catch to Andy Singleton off Clark for 40. Lawson was always going to be the big wicket for Ludd to capture and they did just that from the first ball after the drinks break when he smashed a full toss from Clark straight to Matt Mellers at mid-off and was out for 21 then Outcasts suffered a mini-collapse when they lost four wickets for just five runs as Luddington hit back hard. Russell Fletcher was trapped LBW by Clark without troubling the scorers, then George Torr was bowled by Mellers having looked good for his 10 runs. Peter Tait had made just one when he was out to the most spectacular catch from Darren Clark, off the bowling of Mellers, but Matty Teal and Charlie Mason then settled things down for the home side and eased the score to 116 before Mason suffered a second successive run out in two weeks, this time hitting a catch to a fielder who subsequently dropped it only for young Mason to have given up the ghost and walked off anyway, leaving it a mere formality that he was run out for 11. Liam McAnaney and Teal then added 21 runs of which Macca had made 12 when he was bowled neck and crop by cousin Graham Clark, and Matty Teal was the second player to get run out, having made an excellent 26, Outcasts eventually making 154 for 9 with Graeme Fletcher finishing 8 not out and Alex Ingleton 2 not out, Graham Clark being the pick of the Luddington bowlers with figures of 5 for 43.

Luddington's reply got off to a very poor start when Liam McAnaney picked up two wickets in his first over, bowling Rick Smith and having Andy Singleton caught at slip by Andy Lawson both for nought. That brought the Clark brothers together and for Ludd to stand any chance of over coming the Outcasts total it was imperative that at least one of them stuck around. Graham had made six when he lifted a catch to Matty Teal, off Graeme Fletcher, bringing great celebrations from the home teamand with the score at 26 they suffered a second serious blow when Darren was caught by rookie wicketkeeper Alex Ingleton off McAnaney for 10.
Gareth Parkin and Arron Curry took the score to 35 before Fletcher bowled Parkin for 14 and Kristian Reed then failed to play a shot to a straight delivery from McAnaney and was trapped LBW without scoring. Curry and Oliver Saxon added 26 runs before Curry chipped a catch to Graeme Fletcher to earn McAnaney his fifth wicket of the innings, and his sixth wasn't long in coming when he bowled Saxon for 10. Steve Proctor was the target of some friendly banter when he went to the middle and for the second week running he was out to a tremendous catch, this time a diving effort by Peter tait off McAnaney when he had made 11 - and the final wicket went to Tait himself when he bowled Barry O'Brien to leave Luddington 83 all out, some 71 runs adrift of the Outcasts total, Liam McAnaney finishing the innings with career best figures of 7 for 25 off 15 overs.
So honours are even over the two games as Outcasts regained some pride following their earlier defeat which means that the weekend team-mates can continue the banter for at least another year! Luddington entertain Brigg on Sunday, while Outcasts have a big game against league leaders Haxey 3rds at Hirst Priory in what promises to be a battle royal.

PLAYING HIMSELF IN

From Ann Boulton

Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame on your website! Brother-in-law Graham is at it now - he says not to forget he was the first player to score 100 in the Alliance.
And speaking of Kelsey, as we were, I was once there with East Halton when Neil Wright opened the batting and was there for 32 overs before he scored his first run. I can't remember if he got out - but as it was only a 40-over innings, probably not.

Editor's note: I played many times against the amiable Neil. He may have been a very slow scorer but I seem to recall he often finished on the winning side. He was the sort of player, and skipper, who couldn't see anything wrong in taking 39.5 overs to knock off 80-odd, especially if it deprieved the other side of a point or two along the way. Some of us, of course, just wanted to get to the pub as soon as possible and drown our sorrows!

THE INDIAN SIGN

From Jeremy Slater

John Indian played for Keelby 2nds on Saturday at Cherry Willingham. Despite a pre-season claim that John had hung up his boots and jockstrap, it appears the lure of leather on willow was too much and he made his debut for the season on Saturday.
"Frank" (as in Sinatra) made a reasonable account with six overs costing 27 runs; sadly, the umpire ajudged him LBW so the batting was not very successful.
Post-match discussion was themed around just who is the oldest player in the Lincolnshire League. Any ideas?
Preston Wallhead, John Indian or Bob Welton must be in the frame.

NO HIDING PLACE

Confirmation has kindly arrived from South Kelsey's Mike Owen - the editing team at the Grimsby Telegraph failed to pick up my error in confusing Dan Healy and Dan Tolson in last Friday's match preview about Cleethorpes CC's forthcoming second team fixture.
No fault of theirs - the error was all mine. Guilty as charged, bang to rights, eating humble pie, promising to buy both lads a drink next time I see them, etc, etc
Mike jokes: "I thought a last-minute transfer had taken place involving one of our ex-players before the July 31 deadline."
I seem to recall Dan Healy (yes, I've checked that's the right Dan) was with Kelsey. Hope I've got that right - at least!

AWAY TO A DECENT START

Lincs Cricket Latest has now celebrated its first month, and the number of hits on the counter has surged past the 3,000 mark. Which is far more than we could ever have anticipated.
The only marketing has been to email some of the people in my email contacts book. The fact more and more cricket followers are visiting must be due to people in the know kindly passing on recommendations to friends and family - or tipping off other members of their club.
If you fall into that category, many thanks!

AUSSIES BEATEN

A special game to mark the holiday return of former Brigg Town batsman Simon "Chozzy" Church, who emigrated to Australia, was played at the Recreation Ground. It was billed as Aussies v Poms - and the England lads finished on top by 49 runs, having posted a very impressive 145.
Not that the scores mattered - it was an opportunity for Simon - once of Barnetby but now of Perth - to meet up with clubmates he played alongside in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Gig Smith, the long-serving Brigg all-rounder, came out of retirement at the age of...well, we think it's 68...and dropped the ball on a length immediately, plus batting in his old familiar style (favouring the leg-side), and even hitting a six!
Among Simon's ex-clubmates who turned out were Jim (Fred) Balderson, now with Alkborough CC; 'yours truly' and brother Simon Fisher; Gary M Smith (still opening the batting for Brigg first team); Garry S (Gig) Smith, ex-Brigg Town, Brigg Sugar, Elsham and East Halton; Nigel Beacock, who still has the odd game to help out Brigg 2nds; and Brian Markham, ex-Brigg and Nuform, well-known by many in North Lincolnshire cricket for his connections with the Intersport shop in Scunthorpe High Street.
Brigg regulars Tom Brock and Paul Harrison also appeared, although neither played in Chozzy's era with the club.
Barrie Briggs and John Blanchard (ex-Brigg) kindly umpired, and afterwards players and spectators visited the town's White Horse Inn, followed by the White Hart, for a bit of the old amber nectar. I distinctly remember seeing adopted Aussie Chozzy buying some Foster's lager, which must have made him feel a touch nostalgic for his adopted country.
Before the start of play, Simon presented all the members of his Aussie team with souvenir baggy green caps - a nice touch. It's a pity we couldn't have played a bit more like Ricky Pontin's men; some of us were more akin to Fred Pontin's!
But, as comedian Al Murray's Pub Landlord so often remarks: "It's been a year!"

SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

Yesterday's North Lindsey League match between Appleby-Frodingham and Broughton - at Brumby Hall, Scunthorpe - will long be remembered by the Broughton lads for one very special piece of batting.
Broughton were almost down and out when tail-ender Robbie Glentworth, who had been batting as well as anyone in their side, decided it was time for something a little out of the ordinary. So he went down on one knee and shovelled the ball over his head to the fine leg boundary - almost directly behind the bemused keeper.
It was a perfectly executed shot, and Robbie was still grinning about it as he left the pavilion after the game. As were some of his team-mates.
That's the second time I've seen this shot played at club level in recent weeks, with Robbie getting the execution spot on - unlike the previous batsman, from Barton, who put bat on ball but was caught.
It's a shot the first class players use quite often in one-day matches featured on TV.

OPTICAL ILLUSION?

Watch Keelby's experienced left-armer Jim Cowie come into bowl and he appears to have the ball in his right hand until a yard before his delivery stride, when he switches it into his left hand to bowl.

SORRY, DANS

Make a mistake on Lincs Cricket Latest and it's very quick to rectify - but make an error in print and there's nothing you can do but eat humble pie.
So sincere apologies go to both Dan Healy and Dan Tolson. In Friday's Lincs League cricket preview, penned for the Grimsby Telegraph, Scunthorpe Telegraph and Lincolnshire Echo, I wrongly described Mr Healy, who runs Caistor 2nds, as leading Cleethorpes 2nds, when it should have been Mr Tolson in charge of the Meggies' second string.
It wasn't until I sat down to read my copy of the Scunthorpe Telegraph on Friday night that the error jumped off the page at me. I can only hope some eagle-eyed member of the Grimsby Telegraph sports department spotted my lapse and corrected it before the preview piece reached the printing stage.
I usually have enough problems trying to remember to call the current Cleethorpes captain Dan, rather than Don, having played against the senior Tolson many times in the old Humberside Alliance, when he was with Immingham side Norsk Hydro.

NORMAL SERVICE HAS BEEN RESUMED

Sorry we didn't manage a posting on the site yesterday, which was due to 'yours truly' seeking to score some much-needed brownie points with Mrs Fisher, by taking her out for the day to Mablethorpe - on the only Saturday in the season when no match in the Lincs League required my umpiring services.
However, while driving to and from the seaside resort, it was interesting to pass through some of the villages whose names I recognised from cricket, such as Legbourne.
We came close to Cuxwold, where the semi-finals of the Northern Lincolnshire Under-11 tournament were due to have been played yesterday, and motored past Caistor's Brigg Road ground on the return journey, resisting the temptation to drop in and watch a few overs.
I seem to recall Mablethorpe might have had a team in the Grimsby League in past seasons. Anyone confirm that?

CONGRATS TO THE CAISTOR KIDS

Caistor Under-11s, who have won the Lincolnshire Under-11 League. Thanks to Wes Allison for the picture.

BORDERING ON THE UNBELIEVABLE

On July 4, South Lincs and Border League second division side Cavaliers achieved their first victory, not just of this season but for 52 weeks!
The Peterborough side last won a South Lincs & Border game on July 5, 2008 and for 2009 already had two unwanted records to their name – 16 games without a win in any cricket and a match that brought a 300+ runs tally against them.
After tasting victory at long last, their fixture secretary Terry Bennett said: "If you want a reason why people play cricket, this is it. It's the unpredictability of the game."
Meanwhile, Jon Lamyman, of Billingborough, bowled 12 overs in their division one victory overWoodhall Spa 2nds - and the first 10 were all maidens. Billingborough are top of the league, closely followed by Boston.

Thanks go to Ann Boulton for keeping Lincs Cricket Latest up to date with snippets from the Lincolnshire League's equivalent competition further down the old county.

CUP WINNERS 31 YEARS AGO

Broughton's 1978 crop of intermediates who saw duty in a cup final against Nuform at the Cemetery Road ground in Scunthorpe - home to Redbourn, Appleby-Frodingham 3rds and later Normanby Park Works. Broughton's Neil Simpson reveals his club's youngsters won this final by 10 wickets "courtesy of Simon and Dobber knocking off 62."
Back row: Mark Rawlins, Paul Lawson (now back playing in the Lincs prem for South Kelsey - by the way), Russ Bunyan, Bri Darker, Carl Clark (Shaun's Dad) and Rick Wilmot.
Front row, Dobber, Mick Bunyan, Simon, Kev Clark (Shaun's Uncle), Ian Bunyan.

For the benefit of the few Lincs Cricket Latest followers who might not know Dobber - he's ex-Lincolnshire Minor Counties keeper Nigel Dobbs, now keeping again for Broughton in the top flight of the Lincolnshire League. It always seems to amuse the Broughton lads when we mention his service with the county side, but you can't re-write history, or argue with the facts.

Neil Simpson might wonder what's happened to the orange he of his original picture. We've removed it with a bit of Adobe Photoshop trickery. However we are unsure whether the 'cast' should have remained on the pic, as it helps to add a nostalgic feel to the image. This pic, and others from Neil's collection, are earmarked to appear in the next issue of Nostalgia magazine, produced by the Scunthorpe Telegraph, and published on September 1. There's usually some cricket content in this popular publication, which hits the shops most months, priced 75p.