CAVALIERS SEE OFF MESSINGHAM BY SINGLE RUN IN GRIMSBY TOWN KNOCKOUT

 The victorious Lincolnshire Cavaliers team (back row, left to right): Jon Miller (Lindum), Will Bradford (Market Rasen), Simon Webb, Matthew Webb, Steve Crossley, Tom Webb; front (from the left): Ian Williams (M Rasen), Graeme Bell (M Rasen), Jack Luffman (Woodhall Spa), Dale Christie (M Rasen), Geoff Middleton (Lindum). 

PICTURES AND REPORT BY ANN BOULTON

Just one run separated the two teams at the end of the most exciting Grimsby Town Knock Out match of the 2012 tournament so far. And at the end of the match, it was Lincolnshire Cavaliers who had that one run advantage, giving them victory over Messingham in a game that had everything the large crowd could wish for.
Cavaliers – an XI put together by former Grimsby player Geoff Middleton – brought a return to Augusta Street for a number of familiar faces.  Brothers Simon, Matthew and Tom Webb travelled from Yorkshire to take part as did wicketkeeper Steve Crossley, now with York and Jonathan Miller returned to his old club from Lincoln.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Cavaliers opened with Woodhall Spa captain Jack Luffman and Graeme Bell of Market Rasen who failed to survive Messingham skipper Andy Langford’s first over, getting caught with only four on the board.
But Luffman and Simon Webb got the scoreboard moving, adding 23 before Langford struck again to dismiss Luffman.
This brought Crossley out to join Webb and these two went on the rampage, putting on 56 off less than five overs and when Webb was bowled by Adam McDermott for 33, Cavaliers were 83 for three.  Crossley went on to make 51 off 32 balls with three sixes and two fours before falling to a catch off Paul Taylor.
Big hitters Ian Williams and Dale Christie kept the runs flowing and with two balls of the innings left, Tom Webb came out to hit a six off his first delivery then lost his wicket to Taylor who finished with three for 32 off his four overs.
This took Cavaliers to 142 for seven but right from the start Messingham were ahead of the run rate despite losing Shaun Bridges in the first over to Matthew Webb.
Jason New and James Barker – like McDermott, guesting from Barton – put on 53, with New playing an anchoring role as Barker hit 33 off 34 balls, including a six and two fours.
Barker was bowled by Miller who also took the next wicket but Lee Brocklebank continued the onslaught with 37 off 25 balls in which he hit two sixes and three fours before being bowled by Webb.
At the start of the 14th over, Messingham needed 27 to win off 24 balls with New still at the crease.  Economical bowling from Tom Webb made this 21 going into the penultimate over in which New was run out for 26, having batted right through but faced only 33 balls.
Going into the final over, the target was 13 off eight balls.  This was bowled by Tom Webb and produced a wicket off the third ball and a run out.  Williams then took a superb catch in front of the pavilion and with three balls remaining, Messingham still needed 11.
Danny Rands managed only two off the next ball - but there was still drama to come as Rands launched a six off the penultimate delivery to leave three needed off the final ball.  
But Webb held his nerve and the batsmen could only run one, giving Cavaliers the slenderest of victories.
Crossley’s innings earned him the Man of the Match award.
Cavaliers now go forward to play the winners of next Next Monday night's game between Fenner and Caistor is the second semi-final.

Man of the Match Steve Crossley receives his trophy from Ron Borseberry of Grimsby Town

Re-united at their former club – (left to right) brothers Simon, Tom and Matthew Webb.  Simon and Tom now play with Baildon in the Bradford League and Tom is with Kirkstall in the Airedale & Wharfedale League.