MEGGIES BOW OUT OF CUP

CharlieTomlinson provided some excellent support bowling.

BY GRAHAM HACKNEY

Cleethorpes completed a poor weekend with a dismal batting performance to bow out of the Yorkshire league cup in the first round at Barnsley on Sunday. Following Saturday’s defeat at Rotherham that saw them lose their unbeaten tag, Cleethorpes travelled to Barnsley missing vital members of their bowling attack. With Andy Ellis and Harry Clewett both unavailable, Cleethorpes bowled first after Barnsley won the toss. Forced to open with spinner Alex Osmond, who partnered overseas Graham Hume, the pair kept the scoring under control before both picked up wickets in successive overs. Hume snapped up the dangerous Widdup who mistimed a pull to Airey at mid-on while Charlie Tomlinson took a stunning diving catch at cover to remove Wilson to give Osmond his first wicket. Barnsley recovered as Ex-meggie Jon Trower and Wilson added 68 for the third wicket before James Osmond, coming on as first change forced Trower to miscue to point. When Paul Sunley fell in similar vain, Barnsley had slipped to 97-4 in the 28th over. Wilson progressed to a patient 50 in 100 balls but fell trying to up the tempo as James Osmond rotated his part-time attack. Forced to get 20 overs from Tomlinson, Sunley and Lumby, the bowlers rewarded their captains faith holding Barnsley to a combined 78 runs as they eventually closed on 192-8 in their 50 overs. Alex Osmond finished with 3/32 in his ten overs while Hume bowled well for 2/38 in ten.
Cleethorpes’ reply would be short lived as Yorkshire quickie Oliver Hannon-Dalby removed Tomlinson lbw first ball while Rory Osmond was adjudged to have edged behind for 11 despite onlookers believing the ball had actually knicked the off stump. Stuart Airey was bowled by West Indian paceman Ryan Hercules before young fast bowlers Whiles and Firn tucked into the middle order. Bill Kirby had been unable to bat due to back trouble picked up in the field as Harrison, Mansfield and Lumby all added to Cleethorpes total of five ducks. Only Alex Osmond with 16 showed any composure in the face of Barnsley’s attack as Cleethorpes succumbed to 46 all out. Out of both cup competitions early this season, James Osmond’s side must now concentrate on the league beginning this Saturday when second placed Cleethorpes face league leaders Harrogate at Chichester Road.

WE WILL BE ADDING MORE  PIX FROM ACKERS LATER TO THIS REPORT, PLUS SOME MORE FROM THE ROTHERHAM MATCH. WE ARE HAVING ONE OR TWO UNUSUAL TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH IMAGES THIS MORNING.