ANN BOULTON PREVIEWS TOMORROW'S GAMES IN THE LINCS ECB PREMIER

READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

With three rounds of matches remaining, the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League is set for a thrilling finish at both ends of the table.

Having pulled themselves out of the relegation zone last weekend by beating top of the table side Haxey, Hartsholme now have to do it all again when they play the new leaders.

Hartsholme’s victory pushed Skegness to the top and the seasiders go to Ashby Avenue eight points ahead of Haxey - who this week face Market Deeping, the team that took Hartsholme’s place in the bottom two.

Deeping have suffered a frustrating season but, with only four points separating them and the Lincoln side, will be looking for some giantkilling of their own.

Bracebridge Heath, 13 points adrift in third, head for Grimsby who just one point off a place in the top half of the table.

The top three have opened up a gap of 20 points over fourth placed Sleaford who travel to Boston where the Mayflower team are now well adrift at the bottom of the table and need victories from at least two of their last three games to stand any chance of finishing higher.

Despite their lowly status, opening bat Jonathan Cheer tops the runs total with 666, the only player over 600 so far this season and skipper Tom Baxter is closing in on 40 wickets.

And Skegness captain Saeed Bariwala last week became the first bowler past 50 wickets for the season

A top three finish is still within reach of fifth placed Woodhall Spa if they can beat Louth at London Road but should they slip up, their place is now being challenged by Lindum. 

Bourne is the venue for the St Giles Avenue side who have enjoyed a much improved second half of the season but are only three points up on their opponents.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Fixtures – 12 o’clock start

Boston v Sleaford

Bourne v Lindum

Grimsby v Bracebridge Heath

Hartsholme v Skegness

Haxey v Market Deeping

Louth v Woodhall Spa