CHAIRMAN BOB TAKES IN HOLTON-LE-CLAY, GRIMSBY TOWN AND IMMINGHAM BLOSSOM WAY ON HIS TRAVELS

BY BOB WELTON - LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE CHAIRMAN

Saturday arrived and I woke to a very familiar sound - DAMN RAIN HITTING MY WINDOW. Is this liquid sunshine ever going to leave us?
I dragged myself out of bed and looked out at an all-too-familiar scene: Not a break in the clouds as I cooked breakfast. After seeing off a full English the time had come to ring Scoop for cancellations in order to plan my day's viewing.  As he was not available (I was on the M180 heading off towards Hirst Priory to umpire Outcasts v App-Frod 2nds when Bob called - NF) I contacted Scrumpy Turner and got the information needed.
Look out, Holton-le-Clay, here I come! Arriving at the ground, I was greeted by Umpires Turner and "Sloggitt" Slater.  After some chat I settled down with Ian McGowan and the Scothern lads to watch the game unfold. Scothern were soon in a spot of bother as they were reduced to 9 for 2; they rallied steadily, with some application and good running, to finish on a creditable 153 for 8. Pick of the Holton attack were Danny Portus with 3 for 32 and Luke Ford with 3 for 55.
We had some very constructive discussions during the Scothern innings with points of view being exchanged all round. Tea followed and I caught up with the HLC boys who had been team-mates a couple of seasons ago over a coffee and excellent sandwiches.
HLC didn't start too well but a match-winning position was set up by Paul Holmes, with 52, and Danny Barker, with 35. Together with Danny Portus, 20, and Rob Griffin, 14, the young HLC team managed to pick up the win.
Whilst this was unfolding I had moved on to Augusta Street where Owmby - led by Rakesh Chandar-Nair - had scored 170 for 8, Dale Ford being the most successful Town bowler with 3 for 27.
Grimsby struggled to mount a serious challenge to this total with Brendan Volley top scoring (21). The hapless Town batsmen struggled to come to terms with the Owmby attack. Azizullah Doost, with 2 for 18, Ciaron Deegan, 3 for 34, and Daniel Hill claiming the wickets.
Only one League game on Sunday - Immingham BW and HLC 2nds.
Sunday morning brought better weather and an afternoon's cricket beckoned.  The short drive to Blossom Way didn't take long and Immingham won the toss and elected to bat; but after a promising start, with Jamie Fountain scoring 29 and Paul Farmery 23, wickets fell regularly and only Gary Adams, with 27, mastered the varied HLC attack -
Jack Barker 3 for 39, Tom Latimer 3 for 39, Trev Holmes 2 for 5 and Scott Parnham 2 for 25 seeing off the Immingham innings.
After a lovely tea in the bowls pavilion, HLC had no answer to the Immingham bowlers with only Trev Holmes, Josh Plaskitt and Sam Marshall reaching double figures (27, 19 and 10).
Matt Lond (4 for 15) and Liam Clarke (4 for 7) ripped out the HLC batting, helped by Chris Laister (1 for 4)  and Paul Farmery with 1 for  5, dismissing the visitors for just 76.
One wonders if the lack of games due to the weather is making run-scoring difficult all round, or are batsmen selling their most valuable possession (their wicket) too cheaply?
Heads down, guys, and play straight would be my tip, particularly after giving Jim Birkwood a £250 lesson on bowling actions!
LETS HOPE WE GET SOME VASTLY IMPROVED WEATHER FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON AND SOME ATTRACTIVE CRICKET FOR US ALL TO ENJOY!