MESSINGHAM BEAT NETTLEHAM AT GRIMSBY TOWN IN GEORGE MARSHALL TROPHY FINAL

Messingham's Andy Langford receives the George Marshall Trophy from Bob Welton, chairman of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League. 

REPORT BY JIMMY SNEE, MESSINGHAM CRICKET CLUB

Blustery but sunny conditions welcomed both Lincs League Premier  teams to Augusta Street for the George Marshall Trophy final. The ground was in its usual excellent condition and a good following from both clubs gave the game a cup final atmosphere.

Nettleham won the toss and had no hesitation in inviting Messingham to bat first. Tight bowling and good fielding was the order of the day early on, however Ex Grimsby Town player  Richard Antcliffe, playing at his old home ground, punished any loose balls thus dominating the early scoreboard. 

After losing fellow opener Richard Keightley to a good ball from Willerton, Dale Coy joined Antcliffe at the crease to play a rather patient innings before Coy succumbed to slow bowling of Matt Smith for  20.

Next man in was veteran and ever reliable Ian Dawson who paced his innings to perfection, often running sprightly between the wickets despite his ageing years. The partnership between the two experience batsman formed the basis of a potential score of around 200. However after the demise of Antcliffe (63) to a good bit of bowling from Growcott,  

Apart from Dawson (54) the innings faltered slightly, with only Dannatt (18) and Belton (12)  reaching double figures and the final score of 187 looked a touch below par.

After an excellent tea from Grimsby Town’s Lisa Farrell, Messingham’s plan was to take early wickets and build some scoreboard pressure which they did. 

Skipper Andy Langford produced a beauty first up to rock back opener Curtis leg stump for one.  Paul Taylor then dismissed the dangerous McCardell for (14) although his dismissal was due to a fantastic catch by the agile Lawson at gully. Dave Manby then went for a duck after chasing a wide one from Langford, snicking off to a full length dive from the impressive keeper Dale Coy. 

Nettleham’s overseas player Samunderu was next to go , top edging an short sharp delivery from Richard Dannatt resulting in the fleet footed Coy dashing 25 yards to take the catch.

At 42-5 the game was in Messingham’s favour, however a stand ensued with Willerton and Dalton rebuilding the innings and at drinks the game was evenly poised.

Nettleham were up with the run rate and two men were set at the crease. As often the case with drinks a wicket soon follows and so it did. The introduction of unsung hero Paul Rocks proved to be the defining moment; he removed Willerton (18), and then took the prize scalp of the dangerous looking Dalton (41) with a sharp catch from the evergreen Ian Dawson at midwicket to finish with figures of 2 -24 in his 9 overs .

Nettleham's innings started to peter out after a great throw from Danny Rands from the deep to run out Nettleham’s skipper Russ Binnington, but it was fitting that the skipper Langford took the final catch to secure the Cup, Messingham's first since 1985.

Special mention to 12^th man Baxter who replaced the injured Richard Dannatt at a crucial time producing some outstanding run saving fielding. 

MOM was awarded to Antcliffe for his innings of 63 opening the batting. The cup was awarded to Skipper Andrew Langford by League Chairman Bob Welton.

Trophy winners Messingham. Back row, from left: Jimmy Snee (manager) Paul Rocks, Ian Dawson, Richard Antcliffe, Dale Coy, Jamie Belton, Richard Keigthley, Chloe Langford (chairman); front row: Paul Baxter, Paul Taylor, Richard Dannatt, Andrew Langford, Danny Rands, Matthew Lawson, Neil Birkett (scorer).