LINCS ECB TABLE-TOPPING SKEG VISIT GRIMSBY WHILE HAXEY ARE AT SLEAFORD

BY ANN BOULTON

In a crucial game at the bottom of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League tomorrow (Saturday).
Boston take on Hartsholme at the Mayflower Ground with just three points separating the teams.
This is the first time the two have met this season, their first fixture falling victim to the weather and bottom side Boston come into the game buoyed up by a victory two weeks ago and a good performance in their rained off game against former leaders Haxey.
Batting points show that Hartsholme have the edge here, while Boston score higher on bowling points, all making for an intriguing game.
Top of the table Skegness travel to Grimsby, taking with them Peter Houghton, the first batsmen to top 400 runs this season and skipper Saeed Bariwala the second bowler to take 30 wickets.
Following last weekend’s rained off game, this will be Jim Morgan’s first real test as the new captain of Grimsby.
Deposed leaders Haxey travel to Sleaford, keen to regain top place against a side whose fortunes have fluctuated throughout the season.
Sleaford lie eighth in the table, just two points above Grimsby and six behind Market Deeping who travel to 10th place Lindum.  The Lincoln side have opened up a 15 point gap over the bottom two and will be looking to protect that while Deeping will be happy to get a game in, having lost seven of their 13 games to the weather so far this year.
Louth have moved up to sixth in the table and take on fifth placed Bourne at Abbey Lawn in what could be a tight game with Bourne just two points ahead of their opponents.
Only five games are programmed this weekend with third and fourth placed Woodhall Spa and Bracebridge Heath playing on August 27th because of the visit to Woodhall of the Lashings World XI on Monday, July 23.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES – 12.30 start
Boston v Hartsholme
Bourne v Louth
Grimsby v Skegness
Lindum v Market Deeping
Sleaford v Haxey