MASON CEMENTS VICTORY

By Glen Sands, Outcasts CC scorer

Outcasts continued their excellent form with a terrific win over Lincs div one leaders Scunthorpe Town at Hirst Priory last Saturday to ensure mid-table security.
Scunthorpe batted first and soon found themselves one down when Simon Kiddle inexplicably shouldered arms to Liam McAnaney and was bowled for just two runs with the score on 15 then skipper Neil Patrick was deceived by Jason Whiteley's slower delivery having made just one which left Town struggling on 20 for 2. Opener Ramesh Chand and Ian Snowden then took the total to 44 before Chand, having survived a close LBW appeal earlier in the over , was adjudged to be trapped infront of his stumps by Tom Sharpe for 25. Ben Ibrahim joined Snowden at the crease and began to move the score along quite sedately. The score had reached 109 when Ibrahim was stumped by Mark Coulman off Simon Lewis for 26 and from that moment on wickets tumbled regularly. Matt Pashley was caught by Andy Lawson off Lewis without scoring and Danny Quibell was bowled by Tom Sharpe for 0 with just four more on the board. Pop Robson became Sharpe's third victim when he was out LBW , again without having made a run, then Kerry Ling was run out following a good throw from David Hobson which reduced the visitors to 115 for 8. Snowden reached his half century but was then well caught by Andy Torr off Liam McAnaney and the final wicket also went to Macca when Nick Wright was caught at mid off by Joe Tonge with the total on 120. Sharpe took 3 for 27 and McAnaney 3 for 18 whilst Lewis ended with a creditable 2 for 22 and Jason Whiteley 1 for 24 for the Priorymen.
The Isle side made a good start when replying to Scunthorpe's score with the in form Jamie Belton in particular batting well. Andy Lawson had reached just four when he was bowled by Ramesh Chand with the total on 25, the Outcasts big hitter having a rare failure but Simon Lewis joined Belton and they took the game to their opponents. Belton is in the form of his life right now and he had played some outstanding shots in his 46 when he miss hit a delivery from Matt Pashley who took an excellent diving return catch which brought Mark Coulman to the middle and despite having missed a few games of late he batted superbly to take Outcasts within 14 of their target. He was caught by Nick Wright off the bowling of Simon Kiddle for an impressive 32 and although Lewis was out LBW to Chand for 20 the Isle side cruised to a 6 wicket win with Tom Sharpe scoring 11 not out and skipper Andy Torr four not out, ensuring a full 20 points haul whilst Scunthorpe picked up just two which puts a dent in their title winning hopes.

Outcasts 2nds continued their championship chase (in Lincs div three) with a very good 6 wicket victory at Hibaldstow in what was a tricky match for them.
Hibaldstow won the toss, chosing to bat first on the excellent track provided by groundsman of the year Jon Taylor. They punished any wayward bowling from the Outcasts opening bowlers but two exceptional catches by the old brigade of Preston Wallhead and Ian Fletcher saw Matt Mellers and Graeme Fletcher each pick up a wicket. Matthew Teale and Peter Tait then took on the bowling responsibilities and they certainly brought the run rate down, then they began to pick up wickets as Hibaldstow tried to step up the scoring again. Both youngsters took three wickets and when Preston Wallhead joined in by snapping up the last two men Hibaldstow had been bowled out for just 112 which was a good achievement by the Isle side.
Despite a relatively low target Outcasts found themselves in a spot of bother when tight bowling by Simon Pullan, Mel Oades and Gary Dixon saw them reduced to 41 for 4, Oliver Coulman, Tom Whitton and Russell Fletcher all getting a start before each one was out. A rare defeat could have been on the cards but just when someone was needed to step up to the plate youngster Charlie Mason produced his best performance for the club, along with Peter Tait who has batted really well throughout the season. Tait made 26 not out but it was Mason who really took the eye, hitting a marvellous 41 not out which included ten 4's as Outcasts eased to 113 for 4 and another 20 valuable points.
With three games remaining Outcasts 2nds find themselves just seven points behind Isle rivals Haxey 2nds who have a couple of tricky games to negotiate but whatever happens it has been an outstanding season for Ian Fletcher and his team who appear to be certainties to be playing in Division Two next season. Their next game will take them to Broughton whilst the first eleven have a home fixture against Holton le Clay when they will look to stretch their unbeaten run to seven matches.