IT'S A SMALL WORLD!

Yesterday, while at Jersey Airport waiting to fly back to Humberside, I met up with Andy Prendergast - the former Winteringham and Bottesford all-rounder - who was also awaiting a homeward flight after a week in the Channel Islands.
It reminded me of a Friday morning in Majorca, some years ago, when I encountered Dave Holmes (East Halton) in the Palma Airport terminal.
Next day we were playing against each other!

PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL JETS BACK

By Ann Boulton

Boston moved back to second place in the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League table after a seven wicket win over Louth while Grimsby beat Market Deeping to leave the two teams neck and neck in third, just six points behind the Mayflower team.
But it is Bracebridge who march on at the top, beating Nettleham by 115 runs after Vikram Atri had scored one of the day’s two centuries to enable his side to declare on 276 for five after 45 overs.
The other ton came from Bourne captain Peter Morgan who, like Atri, hit exactly 100 before being dismissed. Bourne made 236 for eight and Fahad Masood finally got among the wickets, taking seven for 31 as Lindum were out for 114.
George Linde made an unbeaten 83 for Grimsby who finished on 249 for nine at Market Deeping then bowled the home side out for 166, David Gillett hitting 64.
The highest overall score was at Skegness where the seasiders made 274 for four, four players passing the half-century mark. Henry Rush then hit 96 as Hartsholme claimed a share of the points with 228 for five.
Woodhall Spa finally found some batting form at Sleaford who were restricted to 205 for seven of which Oliver Burford hit 84. Pakistan international Fawad Alam, who arrived in England on Friday evening, shook off his jet lag to take two wickets and hit 31 runs but it was skipper Jack Luffman’s innings of 40 that was instrumental in taking his side to a welcome four wicket win.
Matt Ward hit 79 for Boston who kept Louth’s total to 194 for eight with three of the home side’s players dismissed with scores in the 40s and Scott Elleray the pick of the bowling with three for 30 off 10 overs. Boston then reached their target for the loss of just three wickets.

RESULTS
Louth 194-8, Boston 197-3 (Ward 79); Bracebridge Heath 276-5 dec (Scheepers 84, Atri 100), Nettleham 161; Bourne 236-8 (Morgan 100), Lindum 114 (Masood 7-31); Sleaford 205-7 (Burford 84), Woodhall Spa 206-6; Grimsby 249-9 (Linde 83no), Market Deeping 166 (Gillett 64); Skegness 276-4 (Brackley 71, Wilson 63no, McCall 60, Houghton 58), Hartsholme 228-5 (Rush 96).

HOW THEY STAND
Team P W L Draw Ab/Can Bat Bowl Win Draw Ab/Can Total
Bracebridge Heath 12 9 0 1 2 50 49 90 9 13 211
Boston 12 6 3 3 0 36 45 60 19 0 160
Grimsby 12 6 5 1 0 42 45 60 7 0 154
Market Deeping 12 5 2 4 1 45 41 50 10 8 154
Louth 12 4 4 3 1 41 43 40 19 8 151
Bourne 12 5 5 2 0 38 46 50 10 0 144
Sleaford 12 4 6 2 0 45 32 40 16 0 133
Skegness 12 3 4 4 1 41 29 30 26 5 131
Hartsholme 12 2 3 5 2 42 32 20 21 13 128
Lindum 12 4 6 1 1 27 40 40 9 8 124
Woodhall Spa 12 3 6 3 0 34 35 30 5 0 104
Nettleham 12 0 7 3 2 24 20 0 9 13 66

BACK TO NORMAL

We've been away on holiday in Jersey for the past week, but normal service has now been resumed.

OUTCASTS THWARTED BY WEATHER

SNAITH EVENING LEAGUE UPDATE BY GLEN SANDS

The future of one of the sides would appear to be in serious doubt as Drax Village were forced to concede yet another match due to lack of numbers, this latest one being a scheduled home match against Fishlake. It is understood that the club are due to hold a meeting to discuss their future in the Snaith & District League and an announcement will be forthcoming once received. Leaders Askern Welfare beat Hensall by six wickets, reducing them to 112 for 7 with Craig Mainds hitting 33 not out and Barker 28 only for Ashley Towler to reply with 28 not out added to by Andy Lunn who made 25 , Wright picking up 3 for 23 for Hensall. Goole Town remain hot on Askern's heels following their 10 wickets victory over Sykehouse who were bowled out for 71 before the Goole youngsters eased their team home.

Drax Village v Fishlake Postponed - Drax concede

Sykehouse v Goole Town
Sykehouse : 71 all out
Goole : 72 for 0
Result : Goole Town win by 10 wickets

Hensall v Askern
Hensall : 112 for 7 ( C Mainds 33 no ; Barker 28 )
Askern : 115 for 4 ( A Towler 28 no ; A Lunn 25 ) T Wright 3 for 23
Result : Askern win by 6 wickets

DIVISION TWO
Leaders Hirst Courtney suffered a heavy defeat at Burn who posted a total of 207 for 2 thanks to a 150 plus partnership from Leigh Adamson and Adam Prescott for the third wicket , Hirst being reduced to 92 for 8 by way of reply and that allowed Airmyn to close to within a point of Hirst at the top when they beat Goole Firemen by 41 runs. Airmyn scored 150 for 7 with 46 from Phil Sparks and 32 from Holah, then the Firemen were restricted to 109 for 8 as Mitchell hit 20 and "Barney the Fireman" 30 not out. Finally in Division Two Carlton Towers beat Pollington by just seven runs in what was a thriller , Mark Holmes hitting 94 and David Hoe 59 for Towers before Pollington replied with 169 for 6 , Chris Welbourn making 45 and Ian Mileham 37 as that man Holmes took 4 for 20 to earn his side a narrow victory.

Carlton Towers v Pollington
Carlton : 176 ( M Holmes 94 ; D Hoe 59 )
Pollington : 169 for 6 ( C Welbourn 45 ; I Mileham 37 ) M Holmesd 4 for 20
Result : Carlton Towers win by 7 runs

Goole Firemen v Airmyn
Airmyn : 150 for 7 ( R Holah 32 ; P Sparks 46 )
Firemen : 109 for 8 ( L Mitchell 20 )
Result : Airmyn win by 41 runs

Hirst Courtney v Burn
Burn : 207 for 2
Hirst : 92 for 8
Result : Burn win by 115 runs

DIVISION THREE
The battle of the top two ended in a share of the spoils due to rain , Howden having posted a total of 130 all out with Outcasts handily placed on 30 for 1 from six overs before the weather brought things to a premature end. And there was a second win of the season for Thorne Colliery when they played hosts to Drax Village 2nds Matt Cockburn scoring 29 ansd Owen Taylor 26 in a total of 104 for 9 Charlie Adamson taking 4 for 13 for Drax who replied with 53 for 9 , Oliver Chaston top scoring with 27 with James Stewart and Sam Appleby both taking 2 for 5 and Connor Martin 2 for 12

Howden Town v Outcasts - Abandoned due to rain
Howden : 130 all out
Outcasts 30 for 1
Result : Howden Town 1 pt Outcasts 1 pt

Thorne Colliery v Drax Village 2nds
Thorne : 104 for 9 ( M Cockburn 29 ; O Taylor 26 ) C Adamson 4 for 13
Drax 2nds : 53 for 9 ( O Chaston 27 )
Result : Thorne Colliery win by 51 runs

FIXTURES
MONDAY JULY 4
Arthur Brant Trophy Semi Finals
Airmyn v Hirst Courtney
Pollington v Burn

THURSDAY, JULY 7
DIVISION ONE
Goole Town v Fishlake
Hensall v Luddington
Sykehouse v Drax Village ( to be confirmed )

DIVISION TWO
Airmyn v Carlton Towers
Burn v Goole Firemen
Hirst Courtney v Pollington

DIVISION THREE
Drax Village 2nds v Outcasts
Eggborough v Thorne Colliery

HOW THEY STAND
DIVISION ONE
PLAYED WON LOST NO RES TIED TOTAL
1. ASKERN WELFARE 9 6 0 3 0 21
2. GOOLE TOWN 9 6 1 2 0 20
3, FISHLAKE 8 5 2 1 0 16
4. LUDDINGTON 7 2 2 3 0 9
5. SYKEHOUSE 9 2 6 1 0 7
6. DRAX VILLAGE 8 1 5 2 0 5
7. HENSALL 8 1 7 0 0 3

DIVISION TWO
1. HIRST COURTNEY 10 6 4 0 0 18
2. AIRMYN 10 5 3 2 0 17
3. CARLTON TOWERS 9 4 3 2 0 14
4. POLLINGTON 9 4 5 0 0 12
5. GOOLE FIREMEN 9 3 5 1 0 10
6. BURN 9 3 5 1 0 10

DIVISION THREE
1. HOWDEN 8 6 0 2 0 20
2. OUTCASTS 8 5 1 2 0 17
3. EGGBOROUGH 8 3 5 0 0 9
4. THORNE COLLIERY 7 2 4 1 0 7
5. DRAX VILLAGE 2NDS 8 1 5 1 0 4

APP-FROD' CRICKETERS' NEW NEIGHBOUR OPENS ON MONDAY

Appleby-Frodingham Cricket Club, Scunthorpe, warned Lincolnshire League clubs at the pre-season meeting that construction work on the approaches to Brumby Hall might well cause delays to visiting teams and umpires as a new access was being provided.
That's been resolved and next week The Pods leisure complex, introduced by North Lincolnshire Council, will officially open its doors to the public for the first time, though not all facilities will be available on day one.
The issue now is whether the hopefully very popular facility will result in any traffic delays for cricketers and umpires visiting Brumby Hall.
Council bosses must be expecting plenty of cars, as a new set of traffic lights has been installed on Ashby Road at the turn off we all use to Brumby Hall.
The new gym, fitness studio and sports hall at The Pods opens to the public for the first time on Monday (4 July) – giving visitors a first-class leisure and fitness experience.
The Pods is described as "North Lincolnshire Council's magnificent new leisure centre" - and to celebrate its opening the first 50 gym users will receive a complimentary pedometer. The first 100 users will be entered into a prize draw to win a Polar heart rate monitor.
An 85-plus station split level gym, six court sports hall, two exercise studios, sauna, spa bath, steam room and café with seating across two floors and an outdoor terrace, plus The Little Pea Pods crèche – will all be open from Monday.
A date has yet to be confirmed for the opening of the swimming pool, but it will be very soon.
There are plenty of changing rooms with individual lockers and showers. People with disabilities are fully catered for with separate changing areas and lifts to the upper floor.
Coun John Briggs (pictured), deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for leisure and culture at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’m delighted that from Monday, people can attend fitness classes, use the gym, and sports hall, and other facilities.
“It is a magnificent building and it’s so exciting to see it completed. We will shortly be opening the pool area and the building will very soon be fully open to the public.
“This marks a significant milestone in the project. From the original concept and design to getting building work started and now to seeing it finished is a huge achievement.
“We have been conducting gym induction sessions and will continue to do so. But the main thing is that the dry side will be open to the public from Monday."
For more details visit www.northlincs.gov.uk or call The Pods on 01724 291900/291901.

LINCOLN DERBY TAKES TOP BILLING

By Ann Boulton

Having moved back in the top half of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League table, Lindum face a real challenge to keep their place as they take on leaders Bracebridge Heath at Cross O’Cliff Court tomorrow (Sat).
A strong batting line-up and the addition of Ashley Schultz to the attack have made Paul Cook’s side formidable opponents and Cook himself is piling on the runs and is one of five players topping 400.
Leading the list with 470 runs is Conrad Louth of Bourne who are away at Woodhall Spa, currently 11th and struggling to find batting form. Bourne lie eighth but are just one point behind Sleaford who host second placed Boston.
Sleaford appear to have recovered from a disastrous start to the season and could make life difficult for the Mayflower outfit as they fight to stay on touch with top place.
Hartsholme’s Warren Nel, who is just behind Louth with 467 runs, returns to his former club Nettleham who are still without a win at the bottom of the table while Hartsholme are enjoying a better second year in the top flight.
Skegness, whose season has so far not fulfilled its early promise, are the visitors to third placed Market Deeping, for whom Tom Andrews is having a very good year with bat and ball and Chris Jones has strengthened the top of the batting order.
But the match of the day should be at London Road where Louth in fifth take on Grimsby who are just eight points ahead. Spinner George Linde, already with 36 wickets, could find the Louth pitch to his liking but the visitors will need to target Nuwan Shiroman if they are to keep Louth to a low total – the Sri Lankan has notched up 463 runs from nine innings.
On Sunday, a second attempt will be made to play the semi-finals and final of the Winkworth Cup after the May bank holiday matches were washed out.
Sleaford is the venue and first up are Bracebridge Heath and Grimsby at 10.30am, followed by Lindum and Boston at 1.30pm with the final at 4pm.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES
Bracebridge Heath v Lindum
Louth v Grimsby
Market Deeping v Skegness
Nettleham v Hartsholme
Sleaford v Boston
Woodhall Spa v Bourne

MEGGIES IN A SPIN

James Windeatt stumps York's Murphy off Alex Osmond's bowling.

Alex Osmond accounts for York batsman Snell.

REPORT AND SUPER ACTION PIX COURTESY OF GRAHAM HACKNEY

A disastrous batting performance by Cleethorpes 1st X1 batman put paid to any chance of Cleethorpes recording a memorable win at Yorkshire league leaders York on Saturday. After a battling bowling display had kept York to 233 all out, Cleethorpes could not find an answer to York’s spinners and were shot out for just 68 to slip to a 165-run defeat.
York had earlier chosen to bat in what looked like ideal batting conditions. Jack Harrison soon made inroads into York’s strong batting line up having Liam McKendry trapped in front in only the fourth over with just eight runs on the board. He had already seen Snell survive a simple catch at mid off with Callum Robinson the culprit. This brought out Scottish International Oliver Hairs to join the prolific Duncan Snell and the pair soon made their intentions known. A flurry of boundaries off Harrison saw him removed from the attack as Charlie Tomlinson’s side struggled to contain York. Overseas professional Omesh Wijesiriwardana was getting little assistance from a featherbed pitch with little bounce. Andy Ellis replaced Harrison and initially fared little better as Hairs, in particular, continued to find the boundary at will. The pair brought up the fifty stand in the tenth over and Hairs had moved untroubled to 43 in just 35 balls when Alex Osmond accounted for him with only his third ball. After smashing him through mid off Hairs surprisingly hit a legside full toss straight to Eddie Carlton on the square leg boundary to make the vital breakthough. In Osmond’s next over Snell also departed having hit a six over long on. The very next ball Osmond beat the batsman’s forward lunge to comprehensively bowl him to leave York 94-3. Collins and Kay then went about rebuilding the innings and they brought up a studious half century partnership in 90 balls as Cleethorpes regained some control. Ellis, having bowled six overs had to come off suffering a hamstring strain. Harry Clewett stepped in and gave little away with York content to work the singles. Having added 88 and taken York to 182, Cleethorpes made a double breakthrough. Kay, attempting a quick single, only succeeded in running Collins (48) out with Kirby executing a fantastic diving throw from cover. Two balls later Omesh snapped up Ryan McKendry caught and bowled as Cleethorpes sensed an opening. Clewett trapped York skipper Wood lbw seven runs later before Omesh accounted for Kay who edged behind a ball after passing 50. York’s later order offered little resistance as Osmond cashed in with two late wickets, courtesy of a Windeatt stumping and bowling last man Durham, as York were bowled out in the final over to close on 233 all out. Osmond finished with 4/55 in 12.3 overs with Omesh showing great heart on a flat wicket to pick up 2/53 in 15. The pick of the attack though was Clewett who despite only taking one wicket conceded just 65 runs in his 17 overs against the best batting attack in the league.
Cleethorpes' hopes of closing the gap on York in the table soon evaporated as they opened top Minor Counties spinner Dan Woods.
Rory Osmond (1)feathered behind in only the third over with Carlton (0) playing over a straight delivery in his next over. Callum Robinson (4) , after hitting the first boundary of the innings, was caught napping, as Kirby’s call for a sharp single saw the youngster run out by McKendry’s direct throw from cover. Alex Osmond (7) stuck around before leg spinner Pringle turning ball found the edge to Woods at first slip. When Kirby fell lbw sweeping at Woods, Cleethorpes had slipped to 29-5. Tomlinson’s attempt to break the shackles only found Collins at mid off while Omesh (6) was unlucky to be taken via a deflection off the keeper saw the loop up to slip. With Clewett perishing to a Woods delivery that kept low, Cleethorpes were now 49-8. Harrison’s two swept boundaries at least took Meggies past fifty while Windeatt (11 not out) also showed some fight to hit Pringle for two fours. When Harrison (11) swept once to often at Pringle to top edge to backward square the game was over. Ellis opted not to bat and worsen his hamstring as Cleethorpes closed on a paltry 68 all out inside 25 overs.
York take eight points to stretch their lead over Cleethorpes to sixteen points with Rotherham, losers at Scarborough on Saturday, in second twelve points ahead.
The Meggies travel to Hull this weekend desperately needing a good batting display to restore some wounded confidence.

Harry Clewett survives a vociforous appeal for a catch at slip.