OUTCASTS v HARTSHOLME 2nds LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

After losing both their first and second team games to the weather on April 27th Outcasts players finally took to the field and both were able to celebrate wins to start their campaigns in style, writes GLEN SANDS.
The first team entertained Hartsholme 2nds in Division One of the  Lincs League in a game sponsored by Ian Fletcher & Son of Crowle and having won the toss and chosen to bat skipper Richard Wroot hoped his team would set a tough target for their Lincoln opponents but there was a great deal of first match rustiness as wickets fell at regular intervals. Hartsholme youngster Sam Bunn was proving to be something of a thorn in the Priorymen's side as he removed Oliver Coulman , Scott Buttrick , Josh Bramhill , John Stokoe and Russell Fletcher , reducing Outcasts to a worrying 43 for 5 but things were about to take a change for the better as Peter Tait and debutant Oliver Hoare from Australia came together at the crease. They steadied the ship with some solid batting then after the drinks interval they embarked on a stunning record breaking sixth wicket stand that ultimately saw them both make three figures ! As they gathered momentum the ball began to disappear to all parts with Spud Tait bringing up a half century first before Hoare smashed a huge six to bring up his own fifty. Both were given a life as they continued to dominate the tiring Hartsholme attack and it soon began to dawn around the boundary that league records were on the cards. Sure enough the Division One sixth wicket stand of 130 was broken , then the whole Lincs League record of 158 went and there were personal targets looming too as both approached three figures. Tait was first to reach what was a maiden hundred , his departure for 101 heralding a new stand record of 188 then Aussie Ollie quickly followed with his first ever ton , finishing 104 not out as the Isle side reached  an incredible 256 for 7 , meaning they scored an amazing 190 runs after the drinks break on 22 overs.  Sam Bunn was the pick of the visitors bowlers , picking up 5 for 49 although opening bowler Mark Leverett deserves mentioning in despatches with a spell of seven overs six maidens none for four in amongst the carnage.
With such a huge target Hartsholme needed to make a good start but Lee Gash had other ideas for Outcasts as he quickly took the  wickets of Adrian Bunn and Ben Mayes with only 30 on the board. Jonathan Wroot then trapped Paul Bassingthwaite infront of his stumps then Gash pretty much ensured his teams victory when removing Tom Parker and Mark Leverett with the total on 62. Slow bowlers Scott Buttrick and Josh Bramhill then took centre stage as they went on to grab the last five wickets , Bramhill taking 3 for 11 and Buttrick 2 for 18 which meant the Isle side clinched the maximum 20 points on offer to set their campaign off on the right foot. Peter Tait rounded off a brilliant personal performance with the last outstanding diving catch whilst team mate Oliver Hoare was able to join him in the limelight when the teams gathered in the bar after the match.
Jason Whiteley took his second eleven across to Cleethorpes to take on the Meggies 3rd team and they produced a terrific display to gain a full 20 points in their 24 runs victory. Old hand Anthony Fitzgerald top scored with 47 and debutant Jack Lupton 41 in an all out total of 180 then the skipper himself took 5 for 50 when Cleethorpes were bowled out for 156 , this being the table toppers first defeat of the season.
May 10th will see the first team head to Lincoln to take on Bracebridge Heath 2nds whilst the seconds play their first home game when Normanby Park come to the Isle , both sides hoping to continue their impressive starts to the 2014 season.