BELL TAKES TOLL OF 31 LINCS ECB BATSMEN ALREADY

Paul Bell, Haxey's seam bowler who has already taken 31 wickets, having played last season for Barton Town in the Lincolnshire League Premier Division.

BY ANN BOULTON

The opening fixtures in the second half of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League season on Saturday will bring tough games for two of sides at the foot of the table.

Hartsholme in 11^th are away to fourth placed Bracebridge Heath who are still challenging hard for the championship.  And Lindum – just two points above Hartsholme – entertain leaders Haxey for whom Paul Bell has now taken 31 wickets. 

Five points below Haxey are Skegness who relinquished the top spot last weekend after defeat by Market Deeping.  This week the seasiders again travel in the same direction, this time to Bourne where they will be going all out to avoid another loss. 

Skegness batsmen Peter Houghton needs just five runs to become the first player to top 400 this season and Bourne and Deeping are also locked in their own battle, both on 104 points in the table.

This weekend it is third placed Woodhall Spa’s turn to face Deeping and on the good track at Jubilee Park, Jack Luffman’s team will need to wary now that their visitors appear to have recovered their batting form.

Meanwhile Boston, the team in last place, have a home game against Louth who are ninth but enjoy a sizeable gap over the bottom three.

Sleaford’s season continues to improve with the team now in seventh place, seven points ahead of Grimsby who make the journey to London Road.

Louth and Grimsby are on equal points and both know a 20 pointer could propel them into the top half of the table.

Fixtures – 12.30 start

Boston v Louth

Bourne v Skegness

Bracebridge Heath v Hartsholme

Lindum v Haxey

Sleaford v Grimsby

Woodhall Spa v Market Deeping