GROUNDSMANSHIP - PART TWO

Lincs groundsman of the year, Jon Taylor, continues his very helpful advice to those who tend club squares around the county


The first section of autumn ground renovation left off at the point that the square had been scarified and cleared of rubbish. Ideally the seed and top dressing would have gone straight on, but work commitments meant that I was unable to complete until the following weekend. The week had allowed a little growth and I decided to cut before seeding and applying soil. Cricket loam must be spread evenly and it is hugely easier to spread if there’s no significant grass growth. So, out with the wicket mower and I shaved the whole square down to match track height – another 5 barrow loads of grass and straw-like stems. At the end of this the square was ready for the seed...


In the picture the surface looks trashed – but this is what it should look like at this point!

Before moving on, a word about grass. Cricket squares are inhospitable places for grass. The soil is ideally of high clay content, poor draining, densely packed and the grass should never be allowed to grow to above 25mm tall. At times it is cut down to 3mm or less for two weeks or more. Just at this highest stress time we try to keep the grass starved of water and run up and down repeatedly on the same spot!. This is not an environment for your average grass plant. Many years ago any groundsman saying he was going to sow his square with rye grass would be scorned. Today, following selective breeding, dwarf ryegrasses have been developed that give hard-wearing properties even under stressful conditions. Now the majority of cricket squares in the UK, from test grounds to village green, are sown with 100% rye grass. A few suppliers still offer cricket mixes containing fescues and bents but these are much less common. At Hibaldstow we’ve been on 100% rye grass since I took over the square – though some of the tracks at the road end still have an uncomfortably high fescue content.

Now a word about loam. Cricket soil – better described as “loam” is a topic that whole books could be written on. Choice of soil is a compromise between playing qualities and drying properties. Ideally (in my opinion) a cricket surface should provide a balance between bat and ball that means a good batsman can score runs whilst a good bowler can take wickets. The soil should also provide a good substrate for the groundsman – both for preparing and repairing the track. At Hibaldstow we do not have ro-ro covers and so we are dependent on the weather. The highest clay loams, such as Surrey (used for the “clay wicket” at Heslam Park and also at Cleethorpes I think) and Kaloam (used at my previous club in the Midlands) can be difficult to manage and can also prove a nightmare for germinating seed in end repairs. I much prefer Ongar (also used I believe at Holton-le-Clay, Immingham, Sleaford and Grimsby). The Boughton loam used at Broughton is very similar to Ongar. Ongar provides me with a balance between good strength and relatively good seed establishment. It also dries pretty quickly without excessive cracking and can be played on in the wet without churning up too much.

A warning, though. Different loams expand and contract differently as they wet and dry. If you switch loams you run the risk of creating layers that separate as they dry. This will only lead one way – to low, slow wickets. If you do change, make sure you thoroughly key the two loams in to each other through deep slitting and spiking.

But back to the topic….seeding and top dressing.

Before seeding I applied a light feed (25kg) of autumn-winter feed high in potassium. This was followed by two 20kg bags of seed, one of Avanta MM50 (which I’ve been using for several years) and the other Techni-turf TT23. Both are 100% ryegrass but the latter has been recommended as a new improved mix. Both fertiliser and seed were spread with a small cyclone spreader. Applying at a low rate that meant many passes were necessary, ensuring good even coverage.



Top dressing with loam was achieved at a rate of 6 bags per track with the exception of the two newer tracks that I’m creating from the outfield. These had 7 and 8 bags as I’m slowly bringing their clay content up.
The loam was applied with a drop spreader (from the Groundsman’s Association trailer). This was then further levelled and worked in to the surface with two passes (at right angles to each other) over the square with a drag mat.

The finished result should be a level surface with most of the seed, but the grass not, covered. Now bring on the gentle rain and in a month I can show you a completely different surface!





CLICK ON THE PICTURES KINDLY SUPPLIED BY JON TO OPEN THEM UP AND GET A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FINE DETAIL.

Don't forget to read Part One of Jon's article on Lincs Cricket Latest, uploaded last week. If you don't want to go back - posting by posting - use the search box above and look for "Jon Taylor".

ENJOY IT TILL THE COWS COME HOME

From Mick Blanshard, Pateley Bridge CC (ex-East Halton)

I have just come across your site and was interested to read about Dennis Linford and your views of cricket at Townside Farm.
You may well remember me as I played for East Halton for many years along with my brother Tim.
I have just set up a blog www.curiouscricketgrounds.tumblr.net on which I have just posted the East Halton cricket ground
Hope you are well and I shall keep reading.

NF adds: This site is very interesting - follow the link we've created for you above and enjoy. Those among us who played at East Halton will understand the headline. Explain it to the others, please!

'BEHIND THE TIMES'

From Snelly (Marshalls, ex-Owmby)

For the past two years I have been playing Bassetlaw cricket with Marshalls CC after leaving Owmby, and it seems to me that the Lincs League it behind the times.
Every week you see on the scoresheets where someone has bowled 20 overs - week in, week out. So I therefore think that a mandatory maximum overs per bowler should be introduced in the 2010 season. And also to improve the standard of the league, anything down the leg-side should be given as a wide.
Would you put this forward to any members of the Lincs League, please, or at the AGM.

NF adds: Snelly's point about limiting overs per bowler has been proposed by a member club for discussion at the AGM on October 21. However, the date for proposing rule changes for this year's meeting has long gone and a full list of those which did make the deadline has already been circulated to member clubs. Any club keen to see the idea of leg-side wides taken up is free to put it forward for discussion at the AGM in 2010.
Though, by warned, it could result in some very long overs, and matches, given the accuracy of some of our bowlers!

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING....

Many hours over the past few days - with valued assistance from figures supplied by Lincs League statistician Andy Sharp - have been devoted to penning something completely different...a team-by-team look at the season in the county's biggest competition.
And I must say it's worked very well, covering all 50 teams, with mention of many more players than we can normally fit in.
Now I just hope the sports departments at the Grimsby Telegraph, Scunthorpe Telegraph and Lincolnshire Echo are able to find space for it. They've afforded plenty of space to our league this year, for which we are all very grateful. Now, how about one last entry?

WHAT DO POINTS MAKE?

A cutting in one of my mid-1980s scrapbooks - sports reporters kept them in those days because there was no digital archive to fall back on - mentions the adoption of a new scoring system in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League.
It replaced what I called in my report of that league AGM at Market Rasen 'the old much-criticised percentage system'.
Points were now to be:
10 for a win
6 for a winning draw
2 for a losing draw
6 each for a tie
4 each in a rain-affected or cancelled game
Batting bonuses: 1pt for 100 runs, 2pts for 120, 3pts for 140, 4pts for 160, 5pts for 180.
Bowling bonuses (as now): 3wkts - 1pt; 5wkts - 2pts; 7wkts - 3pts; 9wkts - 4pts; all-out, 5pts.
All matches were to become 90 overs (there had been a provision to allow for 70 if both sides agreed).
Looking back more than 20 years I must say I quite like the four-point divide between winning and getting a winning draw - offering an incentive to go all out for the win. Now, of course, you can get 19pts out of a possible 20 (rather than 6pts out of 10) for reducing your opponents to nine down, and scoring more runs. So that one point is not really a massive loss.
I also like the two-point reward available in the late 1980s for the losing draw. But only because I have memories of stubbornly defending to earn our side a token draw (mainly under the old 9-1 and 7-3 system). These days, as a young batsman, because your side isn't getting anything for coming second, you may as well have a slog in the closing overs if the other team's score is well out of reach.
Whatever the scoring system there will be cricketers who like it and others who don't.
Take the one we now use in the Lincs League. Examples are sometimes quoted when it hasn't worked well as far as a particular side is concerned - usually when, bowling first, they've failed to dislodge stubborn opponents and therefore only been able to make 12 or 13 points, rather than the full 20.
That AGM report - unfortunately without the exact year - also makes reference to Louth 2nds gaining membership of the Lincs League, along with Alford and District, who 'pipped Skegness 2nds for the remaining place in division three'.
Chairing the meeting was Ken Portlock (Ross Sports), with Bill Threapleton (Grimsby Town) then league secretary.
I think I attended my first Lincs League meeting in 1976/7, when Brigg Town first gained admission, and wouldn't like to estimate how many hours have been spent at Rase Park in the years that have followed.
Plus, of course, meetings of the Humberside Alliance, Broughton and District Evening League, Scunthorpe Intermediate League, North Lindsey League, Scunthorpe Midweek Friendly League, West Wold League, Scunthorpe Umpires' Association...and committee meetings at club level (including sub-committees).
As most of us know there's a lot more to running a cricket club, and a league, than just taking the field for a weekend game, getting changed and dashing to the bar for a pint or three.

LEEROY ON THE BALL

Brigg Town Cricket Club first team captain and keeper/batsman, Lee "Leeroy" Fielden, has now switched over to his winter sport, football, and is celebrating the notable milestone of 250 games in charge of Barnetby FC.

OUR BOY DONE WELL

Just been watching England beating South Africa, and glimpsed Phil Neale during the close-ups of the England dressing room.
He's a long-serving member of the England management team, and hails from Bottesford, near Scunthorpe, started his cricketing career as a boy member of the Appleby-Frodingham team which won the Lincs League championship in the early 1980s (alongside the likes of Salim Uddin).
That was followed by a long spell on Worcestershire's books, including a fair stint as captain of their County Championship team.
He also played football for Lincoln City, as one of the very last batch of professional footballer/cricketers.

RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH THE FAMOUS

From Vic Mills (via Ann Boulton)

Just a small update on Project Front Foot (PFF). A tad unexpected, but I gave an interview about PFF to BBC World Service radio on Wednesday. Cripes! The programme is only 20 minutes long and you do have to put up with Shaun Pollock, Greame Smith, Mickey Arthur, Andy Flower and the General Manager of the ICC, Dave Richards, before me, but .... what the hell!
You can find it by Googling BBC World Service World Cricket and then click on listen again.

NF adds: PFF takes donated cricket kit from this country and makes it available to children, families, players and clubs in India, where the cost would be just too much for them. Look on the Lincs Cricket Latest archive/search facility to find out more. Or follow this link to PFF

SOUND THE LAST POST

The postal service generally does a very good job on behalf of Lincolnshire cricket, but today a scoresheet was finally delivered for the important Lincs division three game between Outcasts 2nds and Immingham Blossom Way - having taken 12 days to cover that number of miles from the Isle of Axholme to the results secretary's house in Brigg. Perhaps this was due to the postal dispute/industrial action.
Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? Outcasts' captain Ian Fletcher (pictured) could have strapped the envelope to the back of a tortoise - even the type shown on the titles to TV comedy One Foot in the Grave - and it would have arrived in similar time.
The envelope is franked "Birmingham Mail Centre 23.09.09" so it's undertaken a very interesting journey from Th'Isle to the Midlands, then back up to North Lincolnshire. There's also a franking "14 IX" - showing the sheet was, indeed, posted in good time after the match. Just as 'Fletch' assured us it had. Not that we doubted his word.
So the final piece of correspondence arrives for the 2009 season, alongside it being a letter from Lincs League general secretary Mike Savage, including the agenda, and supporting documents, for the league AGM at Rase Park, Market Rasen, on Wednesday, October 21, when important decisions will be made for next season.
No rest for the wicked!

GROUNDSMANSHIP - PART ONE

By Jon Taylor, Hibaldstow CC, Lincs groundsman of the year

For most cricket club members September brings an end to the season and their kit bags head up into the loft for another winter. In times gone by it often also brought a welcome rest for the groundsman as the square was “put to bed for winter”. A few quick repairs were made to footholes and then the ground might be hardly visited until the next April. Not any more. Today’s groundsman knows that the end of one playing season is the start of the next. Over the coming months I plan to send in a series of pieces reporting the work that I do to prepare the square for the following summer. These are my methods and are to be presented to promote thought and discussion on this blog site through the winter months. Others will use different techniques. Any club seeking expert formal advice should contact Martin Deans – our County Pitch Advisor and Holton-le-Clay’s groundsman.

This first piece will look at scarifying, but before that, a little theory to explain why all the work is done.

All summer we’ve been stressing the cricket square. Rolling compresses the soil, closing all of the pores that help water and air reach the roots. Cutting the grass down to 3mm or less weakens the grass, killing probably more than half of the plants. Wicket ends get heavy wear – digging holes and killing 100% of the grass over a pretty wide area. On top of that grass leaf litter can build up through the summer and older grass plants develop tough straw-like stems and coarse fibrous root systems which eventually develop into “thatch”. Excess organic matter in cricket soils is one of the groundsman’s worst enemies. No single maintenance technique can tackle all of these problems. The priority for the groundsman is to clean out all unwanted plant debris, level the surface and get the next generation of grass plants growing strongly before winter sets in. Once the grass cover is back good and strong the focus can be turned to decompressing the square.

Scarifying is the first part of the process. When I started in the cricket groundsman game the state of the art scarifiers available to all but the largest clubs were lightweight machines capable of doing a respectable job on a back lawn, but incapable of scratching the surface of a hard cricket square. They were fine for clearing out surface debris but did nothing to sub-surface thatch build-up unless the ground was really soft. Today we are lucky to have access to much beefier machines – through purchase, hiring or membership of the County Groundsmens’ Association. At Hibaldstow we use the latter option.

The key aims of scarification are to clear the surface of all but healthy grass and to create the best conditions for the new seed to grow. Today’s big scarifiers are easily capable of cutting several mm into a dry cricket square, ripping out thatch, unhealthy and dead grass whilst at the same time creating slots for seed to fall into and then germinate. The way these scarifiers are built they also help to level the surface – cutting deeper where the ground is high. As the pictures show, using one of these machines when the ground is dry is a dirty dusty process!


The process of scarifying has three key steps;

· Cut the whole square down to about 5mm

· Scarify

· Collect arisings

The second and third steps are repeated in different directions until the job is judged sufficiently done.

In the pictures I can be seen with the Lincolnshire Groundsmen’s Assocaition DJ scarifier and Tom is clearing up with our Protea groomer – which acts a lot like a power-rake.

How much, and how deep to scarify is a matter of skill and judgement. The groundsman must know what is below the surface before knowing how deep to go – but the rule of thumb that I use is that when the arisings start to contain more weight of soil than plant, enough’s been done. Experience tells me that it usually takes four repetitions of the scarify:collect cycle on our square. I usually work side to side, then on the two diagonals and then finish in line with the direction of play.

Clearing up after the final pass is critical to the quality of the overall job. Two days after we completed the scarifying I returned for a second dose of clearing. Using the groomer, set to just kiss the surface, I collected a further six barrow loads of trash. Burying this under the new seed and loam would greatly reduce the benefit of doing the work.

Due to work commitments I won’t get seed and top dressing down until the next few days. That job is to be the focus of the next posting.

NF adds: Sincere thanks to Jon (pictured) for penning that piece which will be of interest not only to the general readers of Lincs Cricket Latest but also those involved in keeping club squares in good repair and order.

MID-60S STEELMEN

The Lincs League was very much in its infancy when this picture was taken at Foxhills sportsground, Scunthorpe, in the summer of 1964, featuring the Normanby Park Works team (then known as Lysaght's).
It's taken from a copy of the Open Hearth newsletter, produced by the steelworks which supported, and gave its name to, the team.
However, it's still possible to make out Keith Graham (third from left, back row) who later gave such fine service to the Lincs League as an official. Plus fellow bowler Allan Pashby(front, second from left). Long-serving batsman Mick Blanchard is on the back row, extreme left. The skipper, holding the Phipps-Fea Trophy, is Hubert Norris.
In this issue of Open Hearth, dated September 2, Lysaght's were "still riding on the crest of a wave with the first X1 battling on strong at the top of the Lincolnshire League."
An unnamed club spokesman told the Open Hearth: "Providing there is no slip-up it looks as though the championship may finally be on the way to our Works X1 who really have played well all season. It really has been a pleasure to be associated with this successful team who have played as a team and not relied on individual performances. At the time of writing we still have two matches to play, one of these being against the strong Ross Group (Grimsby) side. The other is against local side Scunthorpe Town."
The Lysaght's 2nd X1 were "struggling along" in division two of the Grimsby League, being fourth from bottom. It was a similar story for the 3rds, in the lower half of Scunthorpe League division two, and for the Works' Broughton Evening League side.
However, the club insider was pleased to report the Intermediates still had a chance of winning their competition, having yet to play Scotter and Winterton.
Just in case older readers are wondering about the oddly-named Phipps-Fea Trophy, it was an inter-steelworks competition, Lysaght's winning the competition for the third successive season - defeating Garringtons and Brymbo in the finals played at Bilston, in the Midlands.
Meanwhile, notice was given to sports fans that the 1964 cricket club dinner-dance was to be held on Thursday, October 24 at Scunthorpe's Wortley Hotel, starting at 7.30pm, with dancing until 2am. Guest speaker was to be Brian Close, the Yorkshire and England all-rounder, who went on to skipper his country.
Brian returned to northern Lincolnshire as chief guest at a recent Lincs League dinner.

ISLE LADS SIGN OFF WITH WIN

By Glen Sands, Outcasts CC scorer

Outcasts CC were certainly given a nailbiting end to their 2009 season as quite a story unfolded at Chichester Road last Saturday where the 1st team were taking on newly crowned Lincs League Division One Champions Cleethorpes 3rds, whilst the 2nd team were hoping for a surprise result over at Cherry Willingham where rivals for the Third Division title Haxey 2nds were playing their last game and were looking to gain the seven points they required to squeeze above them in the league table.

Cleethorpes skipper Paul Hewstone won the toss and invited Outcasts to bat first on what appeared to be a cracking wicket to bat on but things went pear shaped right from ball one when Jamie Belton miscued to Rob Griffin at gully off Mike Shelton and was back in the pavilion. Andy Lawson and Simon Lewis took the total to 29 before Lawson was well caught at slip by Jeff Todd off Matt Owen for 14 and when Andy Torr was bowled by a real jaffa from Shelton for just six the Isle side were in trouble at 36 for 3. Old heads were required and thats just what was provided by Lewis and club stalwart David Hobson who steadied things and they appeared in no bother as the score reached 80 but the drinks break brought a change of fortune which saw Hobson adjudged LBW to Lewis Markham for 19 who then followed up with a beauty that bounced and spun to find the edge of Lewis's bat seeing him caught by Todd at slip for 27. At 86 for 5 Outcasts once again needed to regroup and this time it was birthday boy Peter ( Spud ) Tait and Tom Sharpe who stepped up to the plate. Both younsters batted well , Tait in particular taking the game to the Meggies and with Sharpe , who hit 30 in one amazing over at the same ground in 2008, they took the score to 145 before Tait was caught by Elliott Drinkell off Ian Bellamy for 45 with a total of seven boundaries infrom his 56 deliveries.Jason Whiteley joined Sharpe in the middle and he kept the scoreboard ticking with a couple of threes that certainly tested the stamina on what was becoming quite a warm afternoon then Sharpe was caught by Drinkell, again off Bellamy, for 24 and Outcasts total stood at 164 for 7. Whiteley was stumped by skipper Paul Hewstone off Bellamy for 10 and visiting captain Graham Oxley plundered 16 further runs before edging to Hewstone off Jeff Todd and it was left to Liam McAnaney (3 not out) and Alex Fletcher (0 not out) to negotiate the last three deliveries, leaving Outcasts on 187 for 9 from their 45 overs, Ian Bellamy taking 3 for 19 for Cleethorpes although Mike Shelton's opening salvo of 2 for 23 from seven is certainly worth a mention.
After tea, news began to filter through from Cherry Willingham that Haxey 2nds had been set a target of 138 by their hosts which was felt to be a relatively comfortable chase for their adveraries but focus was brought back to the game at Chichester Road when Tom Sharpe produced a quite blistering yorker to shatter the stumps of Meggies opener Kris Richardson with just his second delivery, resulting in a five minute delay whilst a replacement stump was found.However that early break through became a distant memory as Rob Griffin and Ian Bellamy then set about the Outcasts attack with realish pouncing on anything remotely loose as they seemingly took the game away from the Isle side. Outcasts were looking somewhat ragged but once again the drinks break had an effect as Griffin, having made a terrific 61, inexplicably holed out to Simon Lewis at mid-off to give youngster Alex Fletcher a wicket and when Liam McAnaney produced a peach to bowl Bellamy for 39 the scoreboard had a different look to it as Cleethorpes had slipped to 119 for 3. Around the boundary there was suddenly something of a buzz, too, as news from Cherry reached the 2nd teamers that Haxey were struggling at 58 for 5 and with new found belief the first team on the park began to tighten up and cause Cleethorpes further problems. Paul Ridley had made 15 when he repeated Griffin's shot and was caught by Lewis off Fletcher and with the total on 147 Cleethorpes lost two quick wickets as Jason Whiteley bowled Jeff Todd for five followed in the next over by John Mansfield who was trapped LBW by Liam McAnaney who really had made a difference when he had come on to bowl. Elliott Drinkell tried to blast the Meggies to victory but was superbly caught at deep mid-on by Jamie Belton off Whiteley having made just seven then Paul Hewstone and Mike Shelton put together a mini partnership to inch the home team to within 16 of victory. McAnaney then produced another tremendous delivery, this time from around the wicket, to bowl skipper Hewstone for 13 and when Shelton tried to hit Whiteley back over his head he was spectacularly caught by a tumbling Peter Tait for seven leaving Cleethorpes nine down with a further 12 runs required. All this time 2nd team skipper Ian Fletcher had been prowling the boundary but the updates from Cherry were suddenly not happening leaving him and his team mates to chew their nails. McAnaney picked up the final wicket when Matt Owen guided a catch to David Hobson at gully, ensuring a 10 runs victory for the 1st eleven but barely had they finished their congratulatory high fives and handshakes than the incredible news came from Cherry that Haxey had slumped to 93 all out.
Frantic texts and phone calls seeking confirmation whizzed through the atmosphere and it took a good ten minutes before the result was confirmed after which the celebrations could begin.

So it has been a successful season for Outcasts CC despite a poor start for the 1sts who had to wait three games before picking up their first win after which they managed a further eight to gain a very comfortable 209 points and a mid-table placing in the First Division table. The 2nds spent the whole season in competition with neighbouring Haxey 2nds as both sides proved to be too strong for Division Three but even so it was a thrilling finish that saw Outcasts 2nds triumphant by just two points in the end in what was a real cliffhanger.
Both teams will hope to continue their good form next season.

A BIT OF A LAUGH

Someone well-known in Lincs cricket circles whose "other half" is a high-ranking umpire has sent a link to a website poking a bit of gentle fun at the men/women who don the white coats.
Our informant writes: "We all need a laugh at the end of the season and I laughed my socks off!"
It should be pointed out, in the interests of balanced reporting, that, in this area, umpires' expenses are all open to full scrutiny and agreed with each league before the start of the season (eg Lincs League matches £23, North Lindsey £20). No further claims for mileage, or any other items, are added.

Double-click on this link

PURELY FICTICIOUS

MANY HAPPY RETURNS

Former Barton Town cricketer Phil Clipson - landlord of Brigg's Britannia Inn - is 60 today.
Many cricketers use his hostelry as well as Brigg Town players - including a number with Appleby-Frodingham connections, the Grimsby Town skipper and some from Broughton CC. Plus a number of ex-players, including Clive Humphrey (once of Fisons and Norsk Hydro, Immingham).
It's also a popular 'calling in' spot for cricketers passing through on their way back to base, being alongside the main A18.

DOWNBEAT END TO SEASON AT RASE PARK

From Andy Richley, Market Rasen CC

With the summer coming to a glorious end Market Rasen ended their season with a whimper, with the 1sts soundly beaten by Louth 2nds. This was compounded by bad news from the coast for Rasen’s 2nd team, where Alford 2nds condemned Rasen’s young side to ninth spot in Division 4, meaning that they will require re-election for 2010.
With Rase Park basking in an Indian summer, Simon Bunn, Rasen’s 1st team captain, won the toss and chose to bat. Louth 2nds rose to the challenge with the leather and their opening bowlers, Nagi Chodern and Owen Roberts, reaped the benefits of their tight start. Roberts made the initial breakthrough, yorking Dean Richards as the opener looked to break the shackles. Youngsters Luke Robinson and Luke Richards then set to work, with Robinson latching onto anything over-pitched, despatching straight drives at will. Chodern finally reaped the reward for his efforts, bowling Luke Richards and starting a collapse that would see three wickets fall for four runs and Rasen reduced to 38 for four.
The collapse brought Simon Clark to the crease to join Robinson and the pair set about repairing the damage in their differing styles. Clark mixed dogged defiance with a couple of flashes of aggression and Robinson continued to score at will, taking the home side to 66 for four at drinks. As is so often the case, the break led to a wicket, with Robinson being bowled by Mark Roberts for a fine 43. With Robinson gone, and Clark becalmed, the Rasen batting folded to 87 all-out with Laurence Scott claiming two outstanding catches at slip. Clark’s 17 not out was the only other score of note. Louth shared the wickets around - Nagi Chodern (3 for 23), Owen Roberts (2 for 25) and Mark Roberts (3 for 22) carving up the batting between them.
Rasen made the best possible start in the field, with Dean Richards castling Mike Searle in the third over. However, John Medler came in and immediately set about the home attack. With his cover drives and pull-shots particularly crisp, and Lee Freeman secure at the other end, Louth set about chasing down the inadequate total. Rasen’s young spinners, Luke Richards and Luke Robinson, prevented the romp turning into a rout, with Robinson despatching Searle for a brisk 38 and Hodgkins to finish with two for 16. Both bowlers were finding sharp turn and testing the balletic abilities of Mark Robinson behind the ash.
However, Rasen were unable to prevent Louth winning by seven wickets.

HERE INDOORS

It's a shame the Scunthorpe and District Indoor Cricket League is no longer operating at High Ridge Sports Hall, off Jackson Road.
It ran for many years, with several divisions, offering something a bit more competitive, and a lot more useful and enjoyable, than net sessions during the winter months.
Dream conditions, if you were a flighty spinner. For the batsman would lose the ball in the battery of lights at the far end of the hall. But somewhat tricky for the square-leg umpire, who was very much in the firing line.
Some great matches were contested - and must have improved running between the wickets by 100 per cent.
I can't remember quite when, or why, it all came to an end. Perhaps increasing costs; perhaps someone to run it all.
If a keen administrator could be found, how about trying to get it under way once again? I'm not offering to take on the role - but this website might play its part by judging whether any interest exists among the current crop of players.
The league was certainly going as far back as the mid-to-late 1970s when it was one of the first in the UK. For I recall writing a special feature on Scunthorpe indoor cricket for publication in Steel News, the national newspaper of the then British Steel Corporation (while on their PR staff, which I left in 1979).
There was even a national indoor competition, and I recall Normanby Park Works - in the days of Rick Burton and Co - getting to the finals one year.
Please post a comment here, now, if you think it's a good idea to get it going again.

36 GAMES UNBEATEN

From Lee Freeman, captain - Louth 2nds, Lincs League div two

I would just like to congratulate all at Louth CC 2nd team after finishing for the second successive season as undefeated champions in the league.
To go 36 league games unbeaten is a rare achievement in any sport. But the nature of cricket means that it does not lend itself to this type of run easily.
Even the most dominant sides often find themselves capable of losing quick wickets or coming up against someone who just clicks on the day with bat or ball. We have had some close calls in the last two years, but somehow always managed to pull through.
Division one next season will be a welcome challenge, and no one at Louth expects any such repeats next season.
However, the last two seasons have been exceptionally successful for the club (with both the 1st team and the 2nd team progressing well in their respective leagues) and our new ground, at last, is begining to reflect the investments made on it.
With so many young players at the club not being able to get a league game on a weekend, Louth have also indicated their wish to enter a 3rd team next season in the Lincs League. Should this be agreed at the AGM, we look forward to fielding a young side under the watchful eye of a couple of our more senior players.
We are pleased that we have so many under-15 and under-16/17-year-olds with us, but they really need the competitive stretch of league cricket in a Saturday that we are not currently providing. The players are not quite ready for Lincs division one, or ECB cricket, but will no doubt benefit from an opportunity in the Lincs League lower down if given the chance.
Finally, thanks to Owmby CC for sharing their ground with us this year, whilst London Road was being finalised. Not only is it the most picturesque ground in the county, in my opinion, Nick Crowe and his club have made us extremely welcome and the 2 clubs have become firm friends.
Roll on April 2010.

VERY RARE WAY TO GET OUT

From Mike Owen, South Kelsey CC

A topic for your website, if you so wish, could be an incident in the final game of the season at Lysaght's yesterday. South Kelsey 2nds were playing Hykeham 2nds. South Kelsey batted first and wickets began falling at regular intervals. Andy Walton, our experienced player in a young team, came to the wicket and had just begun to hit some of his trademark off-drives.
One ball then came off his pads and rose up in the air, dropping towards his stumps. He instinctively pushed the ball away with his hand.
Instead of the usual appeal, players looked at one another, looked across at me as the stand-in square-leg umpire, and someone muttered: "Can he do that?"
It was then realised that it could be against the Laws of the game and the bowler belatedly appealed.
Gordon Turner, the umpire, then gave Andy out Handled the Ball.
Ann, our scorer, was most confused and in an interval of the game had to clarify the method of dismissal. The wicket does not apparently go to the bowler, which seems a trifle unfair!
I believe, a few years ago, Graham Gooch, playing in a Test match, was dismissed exactly the same way.

NF adds: Full marks to Gordon, one of the Grimsby area's most senior umpires. Law 33 states: "Either batsman is out Handled the Ball if he wilfully touches the ball, while in play, with a hand, or hands, not holding the bat - unless he does so with the consent of the opposing side."


This was, indeed, a very rare mode of dismissal. Anyone remember another Handled the Ball in a Lincs League game?

SEASON OF HIS LIFE

By Glen Sands

It has been a successful season for Outcasts CC, despite a poor start for the 1sts who had to wait three games before picking up their first win in Lincs division one -after which they managed a further eight to gain a very comfortable 209 points and a mid-table placing.
The 2nds spent the whole season in competition with neighbouring Haxey 2nds as both sides proved to be too strong for division three but even so it was a thrilling finish that saw Outcasts 2nds triumphant by just two points in the end in what was a real cliffhanger. Both teams will hope to continue their good form next season.
I'm sure as the summer of 2009 will live long in the memories of Outcast 2nds, particularly opening batsman Jamie Belton (pictured), who has won the divisional batting averages with an average of 98.
Quite an excellent achievement for the young man who has had the season of his life.

NEW SKIPPER ON WAY

Horncastle say their fifth place finish in the Lincs League premier division is somewhat disappointing, considering they were top at various stages until August, but their late season performances have cost them an improvement on 2008.
Yet they remain comfortable in the top division and will hope to move on next season under a new, yet to be confirmed, captain after Mick Devereux relinquished the role at the end of Saturday's final match against Bracebridge Heath 2nds.
Mick said: "As always, the club would like to thank their sponsors and supporters, of whom there are many and hope to see as many of them as possible at the annual dinner on October 10th."

CAISTOR AVOID BOTTOM PLACE

Messingham take the wooden spoon in the Lincs ECB Premier League, with Caistor one place above them.

Final Saturday of the season scores: Lindum 275-9 (Hornsby 80, Morley-Barnes 56), Caistor 151 (Rutherford 5-40, Bansal 5-65); Louth 301-5 (Shiroman 93), Messingham 216-7.

Bracebridge Heath finished top of the Lincs ECB Premier, Skegness were second, Louth third, Grimsby Town sixth and Nettleham ninth - in a 12-strong league.
Who comes down to the Lincs League premier, and who goes up, has yet to be confirmed by the ECB competition. Hartsholme have finished champs of the Lincs League premier, with Haxey runners-up. Meanwhile, Boston are the South Lincs and Border champs.

GOOD SPORT

Owmby have been quick to congratulate Caistor 2nds' skipper Dan Healy for sportingly "walking" after getting the thinest of edges in yesterday's division two clash at Todmoor.

EX-TEST STAR TO SPEAK

Speakers have just been announced for Lincs Cricket Lovers' winter programme of meetings at Cleethorpes CC. The interesting line-up includes a former Test player, and the father of two others.
Thanks are extended to Ann Boulton for supplying the details below.

Thursday, October 15th: Bill Flower (father of Grant and Andrew)
Bill, now living in Stamford, was involved in cricket in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe for many years and will be providing a fascinating insight into the history of cricket there as well as touching on the careers of his two sons.

Thursday, November 12th: John Grimsley (Bradman Museum UK representative). John travels the world, researching and writing about the hundreds of UK items in the museum at Bowrai. Recently this has included studying and identifying over 700 items donated by Harold Larwood’s daughters.

Tuesday, December 8th: Quiz Night Teams of four - £20 per team to include pie and peas supper. The annual non-too-serious occasion for all cricket lovers. Tel: 01472 877798 to enter a team.

Thursday, January 21st, 2010: David Steele (Northants and England). Memories of 22 years in first class and international cricket including famous matches against Australia and the West Indies and stories of some of the great characters of the game.

Thursday, February 11th: Grahame Lloyd and John Parkin.
Grahame is the author of Six of the Best, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of first class cricket’s most famous over – Garry Sobers’ six sixes for Nottinghamshire off Malcolm Nash of Glamorgan. As the batsman at the other end, John had a unique view of every shot!

Subscriptions: Adult £12.00; joint: £16.00; Under 18 Free. Non-members: £5.00 per meeting).

Venue: All meetings take place at Cleethorpes Cricket Club, Chichester Road, and start at 7.30pm. Car parking and bar facilities available. Ladies and junior cricket lovers are welcome.

Email Ann Boulton for further details through this link:
CRICKET LOVERS

ONLY 12 OUT OF 358 RAINED OFF

The incredibly dry nature of this summer's weekend weather was highlighted in a very interesting report delivered to last night's end-of-season meeting of the Scunthorpe and District Cricket Umpires' Association, held at Appleby-Frodingham's Brumby Hall pavilion.
Fixture secretary Mick Walker, who oversees the deployment of officials to matches, thanked all the umpires for their co-operation during the season.
He said: "In total there were 358 matches covered by our umpires - 11 schoolboy matches, one in the Bassetlaw League, 55 in the (Lincs) ECB, 31 in the Premier Division of the Lincs League, 135 in the other divisions and cup matches, 125 North Lindsey League and Cup matches.
"Of these only 20 were cancelled - 12 through rain and eight others including teams not being able to raise a side. Five Sunday games were covered for us by Grimsby umpires.
"The remaining matches were covered by 25 umpires."
It was agreed association secretary Jo Walker should write and thank Gordon Turner and his Grimsby umpires for their help - the Scunthorpe Association generally sending its members to all North Lindsey fixtures, although a number are in the Grimsby/Cleethorpes, Gainsborough and North Notts areas.

NF adds: The tiny number of cancelled games - compared with the previous couple of seasons - is even more remarkable when taking into account May 24 when Scunthorpe United FC played at Wembley, resulting in just one match (out of six) being played in North Lindsey divisions two and three - Barton Academy v Upton-cum-Kexby, the remaining five being cancelled.

GOVERNMENT 'SHOULD THINK AGAIN'

By Keith Bennett, Lincolnshire County Welfare Officer

I am responding to your article ‘Checks and Balances’ in your Blog of the 15th September 2009. I am in some sympathy with your views concerning parents giving lifts to children and the procedures involved in getting CRB checks. On the other hand, your comments related to showering with ‘youngsters’, and the transportation of children, are something that the Safeguarding ECB Welfare Policy regards as ‘Poor Practice’. The ECB guidelines which have been adopted by all Lincolnshire Focus and Affiliated clubs, state:

Poor Practice means you (Staff and volunteer) must never:

· Take or drop off a child at an event

· Take children to your home or transport them by car, where they will be alone with you

· Shower with a child

The above guidelines apply to adult players, club coaches and team manager when dealing with young players. I support these ECB guidelines which are designed protect young players and to also protect adults working with young players.

I have recently just advised all coaches and team managers of the Lincolnshire County under 19 squads to avoid transporting young players to, or from, matches on their own. I am aware that this action is forcing parents to transport their children to, and from, matches and coaching sessions and recognise and sympathise with your concerns about the new Independent Safeguarding Authority demands that have been criticised and made much of by the media.
I hope that your article and those expressed in the media will bring the government to reconsider their definition of the parents who transport children to games as being in need of CRB checks.
If they are forced to be CRB checked, then there will be inevitable pressure on coaches/ team managers/ adult players to transport youngsters to and from matches. This will place them in a difficult position – to follow the ECB guidelines or risk taking responsibility for children alone.
In my club, we make it clear to parents that it is their responsibility to transport their children to and from cricket events, not adult club officials, coaches or team managers.

I have been responsible for six years in promoting welfare policies for the protection of both young players and adult club members who are engaged in playing cricket in a safe environment. I only wish that my role was not necessary in cricket, but unfortunately there is sufficient evidence of crimes against children and litigation against adults involved in work with children that makes my role, unfortunately, a necessary requirement in a sporting culture.

SECOND HELPINGS

Having played Lincs League, North Lindsey and Humberside Alliance cricket in a 2nd X1 for many years I often look out for the results of 2nd X1 first class matches involving the main counties. Sad, perhaps, but I do.
County championship games attract only a few hundreds spectators some days, but are very well-attended compared with those involving The Stiffs.
Many Lincs players down the decades have graduated into 2nd X1 cricket with various counties, and I recall Tim Hopper (Woodhall Spa and Lincolnshire Minor Counties) turning out for several in a short space of time. A few of our umpires have also reached exalted 2nd X1 standard.
This is all leading up to information about the finale of the current first class 2nd X1 campaign.
On Monday (September 21) Lancashire will take on Yorkshire for the ECB Second XI Trophy at Scarborough in a limited overs clash, starting at 10.30am - admission free. So if you fancy one last day watching some decent cricket before it's all over for another summer, pop over the Humber Bridge and drive north to the historic seaside ground.
In case it rains on Monday, there is a reserve day set aside - Tuesday, September 22.
The structure of the Second XI Championship altered this year. Once a tournament based on average points, it was reorganised to mirror the structure of the First XI Championship. The teams have been grouped into two zones - points being based on batting and bowling performances as well as the overall result.
Mike Gatting, the ECB’s Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships, told Lincs Cricket Latest: “The introduction of the new format has benefited Second XI cricket on a whole due to the more recognisable format that all teams can follow. Previously, teams in the Championship had no definite number of games to play, and would heavily depend on how many they could afford to organise. The new structure also allows a smoother transition from Second XI to First XI cricket for up-and-coming players.”
Hands up who remembers attending a cricket forum involving Mike Gatting staged by the Grimsby Telegraph, more than 20 years ago - either at the Beachcomber or the Winter Gardens? You are now showing your age!

FROD FAMILY FORTUNES

One August weekend, App-Frod 2nds had four sets of fathers and sons playing - Mick Bramley and son Benjamin, Vinnie Grimes and Liam, Mick Powell and Rob, and
Paul Taylor with Simon and Ben.

Pictured here, forwarded to us by Toni Forrester - mother of App-Frod bowler Jack - are, left to right: Vinnie and Liam Grimes, Mick and Rob Powell, and Mick and Ben
Bramley. The picture was taken by Diane Grimes.

BEST FINISH SINCE 2004

Report and picture by Graham Hackney

Cleethorpes 1st X1 ended their Oxbridge Yorkshire ECB Premier league campaign with a disappointing five-wicket defeat to champions York last Saturday. However, with results going Cleethorpes’ way they were able to cling on to a creditable sixth place finish in the league despite losing their last two home games. After winning the toss, Skipper James Osmond has no hesitation in opting to bat in glorious conditions at Chichester Road. Openers Bill Kirby and Ishan Mutaliph got off to a brisk start before Kirby (5) fell chipping the ball to midwicket to finish the season with 927 league runs to his name. James Osmond promoted himself to three in Eddie Carlton’s absence and he and Mutaliph set about the York attack and added 49 runs in even time. With Mutaliph looking to make amends for what has been a disappointing campaign the pair found the boundary with ease. Mutaliph had crashed eight fours and a massive six when he went chasing a wide delivery and edged to the keeper having made 48 with the score on 72. This prompted a collapse as Chris Wragg came and went without scoring to a debatable catch behind and Osmond departed leg before for 14. From here on only Alex Osmond offered serious resistance as the innings fell away. He hit seven boundaries in an adventurous 35 as the tail subsided to leave Cleethorpes 131 all out in only 30 overs. Champions York replied in typical attacking intent as their Aussie opener Dan Wilson set out to build on his record league runs haul. It took the introduction of James Osmond to break the opening pair as Neil Wheeler executed a sharp stumping with the score on 33. Cleethorpes’ attack was without the services of Alex Osmond who was unable to bowl due to a blister on his spinning finger. Andy Ellis, despite some early punishment, chipped in with two wickets while Harry Clewett put some late pressure on York by bagging a brace of wickets but they had little trouble in reaching their target of 132 in only the 26th over for the loss of five wickets. Clewett was the pick of the Meggies attack with 2/22 in five overs with Ellis, finishing the season with 37 league wickets, picking up 2/40 in eight overs.
James Osmond took 1/17 in five overs as the first eleven's season drew to a quiet close as they achieved their best league position since 2004.

Cleethorpes 2nd X1 ended their season with an excellent six-wicket win at lowly Alford to finish third in the Lincs Premier Division. With little chance of clinching the title unless a series of results went their way, Skipper Dan Tolson opted to change things round as Gary Cowlam opened the attack for Cleethorpes. He did not disappoint as he claimed two early wickets for 21 in an eight-over spell to make the early breakthrough. Alford’s batsmen then recovered from 30-3 to post a highly respectable 232-9 in their 50 overs. Cleethorpes employed seven bowlers with Cowlam the pick. Indy Hayre picked up figures of 2/45 in nine overs with John Zielinski, Ian Bellamy and Stuart Harvey all adding a wicket apiece. Cleethorpes’ reply began with Dan Tolson and Peter Thompson opening and the pair got the side off to a great start as they added 123 for the first wicket. Tolson was first to depart, lbw for a well made 39. Rob Brice (3) soon followed before Patrick Hughes and Thompson added another 72 for the third-wicket. Thompson fell ten runs of his maiden century for Cleethorpes but Hughes remained unbeaten to guide Cleethorpes home in the 44th over and finish with an excellent 78 not out. The seconds will be left to rue crucial defeats at Haxey and Hartsholme in recent weeks that cost them the chance of securing the title in what has been a tight Premier league.

Paul Hewstone’s 3rd X1 secured the First Division title after gaining the four points required from their home game with Appleby-Frodingham 2nds last Sunday. Scunthorpe’s defeat on Saturday meant they needed just the four points to add the league crown to the Bob Welton cup picked up earlier in the season. Sunday’s game was forced to be abandoned because of bad light with Cleethorpes struggling at 95-5, chasing 231 to win. Cleethorpes bowlers struggled in the blustery conditions as Frod recovered from 35-3 to post 230-7 in their 45 overs. Mike Shelton was the pick of the Cleethorpes attack with 2/33 in ten overs. Jeff Todd bowled tirelessly into the wind to record 1/50 in 11 overs while Ian Bellamy (1/47 in 12 overs) and Fred Lumby (1/44 in 4) also added wickets. In reply Cleethorpes soon lost Matt Shelton (5) before Callum Robinson (33) and Ian Bellamy (21) added 50 for the second wicket. Robinson’s departure saw four wickets clatter for just seven runs to leave the Meggies hanging on at 71-5 but Kris Richardson (11 not out) and Skipper Paul Hewstone (13 not out) steadied the ship before the umpires brought proceedings to a premature close. Cleethorpes took eight points to clinch the title that was just reward for Paul Hewstone’s young side.

Cleethorpes Academy went down to a heavy 93-run defeat at Tetney on Sunday in their last game of the season. After Tetney posted an imposing 239-7 in their 40 overs, Cleethorpes were restricted to 146-6 at the close. Tom Latimer had earlier picked up 3/37 with Beth Tutty (2/28 in seven overs) and Nicola Knapton (1/40 in 7) performing well. In Cleethorpes’ reply Ian Mansfield hit his first senior half-century to finish 50 not out, while Bob Leafe was forced to retire hurt on 29 as the youngsters closed their campaign.

This weekend Cleethorpes 3rds bring the curtain down on the 2009 season at Chichester Road with a home clash with Outcasts (12.30 start). This will be followed by the traditional end of season Steak Night with all players and members welcome. Please sign up for one in the clubhouse. Cleethorpes 4ths entertain Hykeham 2nds at the Stamford Club (1.30 start).
Sunday will see an Inter Club Twenty20 clash round off proceedings before Howard Swain begins preparations for the 2010 season with work on the square beginning Monday.

GREAT IDEA

Barton Town CC has come up with an interesting way of generating a few quid for its funds and helping club members save on the wife's Christmas or birthday present(s).
It's being done through online shopping.
"Just by registering and not spending, the club gets a payment of between £5.00 and £7.50 paid to us," says first team all-rounder Gareth Mellors, who seems to be Mr Ideas Man at Marsh Lane.
"By visiting http://www.clubnetcashback.co.uk you can access hundreds of household names online all with CashBack Savings for you. You still pay the normal online price but you also benefit by receiving CashBack on whatever you buy - effectively SAVING you money when you shop."
Included are goods and services from such well-known firms as Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Boots, Carphone Warehouse, B&Q, Waterstones, HMV, Play.com, JD Sports, Halfords, Comet, PC World, Mothercare, Virgin Holidays, and Blockbuster.
Gareth urges his members: "You can start shopping straight away - it takes seconds to register online at http://www.clubnetcashback.co.uk and you could be SAVING money straight away. Plus you'll automatically be helping our Club raise some extra money too."
We hope the novel fundraiser proves successful.

NO CLOSE SEASON

Given the very encouraging, and growing, number of hits received by Lincs Cricket Latest we want to keep it running after this weekend when the local club cricket season draws to a close. But obviously we need a steady input of information.
So if you have comments to make about highlights of your season, low spots, funny incidents, changes you'd like to see, presentations and fund-raising events, indoor nets...indeed anything of interest to cricket-lovers, just send details through for some free publicity. Click on the link below
Mr Editor

You will note one or two trial adverts appearing on Lincs Cricket Latest over the coming weeks. This is in an effort to defray some of our costs, as obviously visitors are getting a free service although we're putting a lot of time and journalistic effort into providing the free content, without any funding. The ads may, or may not, prove successful - but we are going to give them a try.

MEETING UP

The Scunthorpe and District Umpires' Association holds its end-of-season meeting tomorrow, Thursday, September 17 at Appleby-Frodingham Cricket Club's pavilion, off Ashby Road, Scunthorpe (7pm).
Hopefully we won't be getting notice of the retirement of any umpires other than Peter Douce (previously reported), who has called it a day after 19 years.
There are rumours that others might be coming off the list - but let's hope not.

CHECKS AND BALANCES

It will be interesting to hear whether the current debate about further Criminal Records Bureau checks for volunteers is to affect club cricket in any way.
From what we read in the national press, folk who offer lifts to youngsters going to/from events may now be required to get CRB certification, just in case they have unsavoury skeletons in the cupboard.
Will this include those who give lifts to young people playing in cricket matches?
Currently, as I understand it, coaches and umpires need CRB clearance - but not players and spectators/officials who offer lifts to boy and girl players.
Press reports quote £60 as the cost of a current CRB check. Certainly, in the case of umpires, there's never been any question of the officials themselves having to cough up the cash. So let's hope that, if cricketing lift-givers are brought into the equation, the authorities, not clubs, will foot the bill.
Surely everyone welcomes moves to preserve the safety of young people in sport, and other walks of life - but the worrying factors with CRB checks are:
1) The amount of time they take to be carried out
2) Defining exactly who needs one, and persuading those who do to apply.
The danger here is people who might help (say by giving lifts) will be put off in the future and just reply, if approached by a team or club, with a polite "Sorry - no" whereas the answer would previously have been a resounding "Yes - no problem."
Parents play a very important role in transporting youngsters to cricket matches, including district and county representative matches, as do club players for ordinary league matches.
Really, for cricket, this could not have come at a better time. For this season is just finishing and we have until next April to sort out what's happening for 2010.
But, as we all know, the wheels of Government often grind slowly.
So what clubs need is clear Government and ECB guidance on whether they need to take any steps to comply. And sooner, rather than later!

The bizarre situation is, as a player, you can shower with, and get changed alongside, youngsters - but once you become an umpire you require an Enhanced (top level) CRB Certificate, even though you will probably never step into a dressing room unannounced, nor remove any more clothing after the match than your umpire's hat and coat. As Charles Dickens once wrote: "The law is an ass!" Perhaps not the most apt quote in this context, but true, nevertheless.

One national newspaper reports: "Parents who regularly ferry groups of children on behalf of sports or social clubs such as the Scouts will have to undergo criminal record checks — or face fines of up to £5,000. They will fall under the scope of the Government's new vetting and barring scheme, which is aimed at stopping paedophiles getting access to children. Failure to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority, the Home Office agency that administers the scheme, could lead to criminal prosecution and a court fine. The clubs themselves also face a £5,000 fine if they use volunteers who have not been cleared. Its creators hope the scheme will reduce the risk of abusers gaining access to children. A Home Office spokesman said informal arrangements between parents to offer lifts would not be covered."

PLANE SPOTTING UPDATE

Further to earlier posts about the World War Two Lancaster bomber from RAF Coningsby, the 1940s survivor made a fine sight - side on - as it droned by in the distance at Alkborough's West Halton Lane ground, early on Saturday evening.
Those gathered outside the clubhouse seemed suitably impressed.
It was probably returning from making a fly-past at an event somewhere in Yorkshire.

WELL DONE, SKIP

Brigg Town stalwart Gary Smith has offered a "good luck" message to Market Rasen 2nds, who go into the final week of the season not yet knowing whether they will have to seek re-election to Lincs division four.
Gary, whose Brigg team have now cleared the danger zone, tells Rasen: "To win 3 of your last 4 games and still be up for re-election would be hard to take. We have enjoyed playing the Rasen 2nds this year with its blend of youth and experience and your points tally reflects the fighting spirit of the team. Andy (Richley) has put a lot of effort into the team and brought his own brand of captaincy to Div 4 which is what we are all about - enjoying our beloved summer game. As the saying goes 'it's not over until the fat lady sings'."


NF adds: I've umpired Rasen 2nds this season and will echo Gary Smith's comments. Andy (pictured) has a great approach to the game - encouraging not only his own players but also opponents. Some people forget there's must more to cricket than winning. Yes, it's nice to taste success - but playing the game the right way is what many rank much more important than clawing a few extra points out of the match.

THEY BROKE THE (CLAY) MOULD WITH CHIPPY

The current Lincs League scoring system has been in place for a decent length of time now, meaning (on the whole) clubs are satisfied with it. However, I'm still not convinced it has helped bring spinners into the game.
Those of us who've been around for many years will remember when you could get 9pt/1pt and 7pt/3pt draws. Then you very often saw spinners operating at the end of the game, with many close fielders, as the side batting second could still get one, or three, match points by ensuring they were not all-out (rankings then being decided by percentage rather than total points).
Today there are no match points for the losing team. Quite right, many will say, as it's very boring cricket when one side stonewalls and blocks out overs just to get a token point.
Currently, however, if Team A gets a decent score and the other side finishes nine down the victors will take 19pts anyway (out of 20). In the old days it could have been 7pts playing 3pts - a lot narrower margin. Hence the incentive for the side batting second to ensure it was not out, resulting in many more slow bowlers being called in to try and end stubborn resistance.
Andy Clay (pictured with trophies at the latest Lincs League dinner), who skippers Alkborough 2nds in Lincs League div one, is - I hope he won't mind us saying - a bit of a throwback to a bygone age. He gives the ball a huge amount of air, puts fielders in the deep and buys his wickets in the old-fashioned way. Experienced batsmen will play forward gently and push him in the gaps for ones, twos and the odd four. However, the modern breed, particularly tail-enders, have probably never faced anyone using "Chippy's" approach - and are bemused how to play him.
Roll the clock back 20 or 30 years - to the days of the old Lincs League scoring system - and flighty spinners were quite common.
Today's typical club cricket tweaker tends to push the ball through more and show greater accuracy. Like Liam Redmond, of Scunthorpe Town, who bowled in the same divison one match as "Chippy" on Saturday. Coming on first change, off-spinner Liam gave little away and took three for 22 in 13 overs; left-armer "Chippy" later bamboozled the tail and claimed three for three in 3.4.
Different styles and different approaches - but both good to watch.
A slow bowler more in the Redmond than the Clay mould (pardon the pun!) who 'gives it a rip' is Ciaron Deegan, of Owmby, to whom we extend our congratulations on reaching the landmark of 50 wickets for his club in all competitions this season (from 189.1 overs at an average of 11.52). That includes some good spells in Lincs div two.
Ciaron, like me, shares the view that spinners 'seem to be dying in the game'.
Perhaps it helps if, like "Chippy", you are a slow bowler captaining the side. For many skippers seem reluctant to try spinners, thinking they will always prove more expensive than a medium-pacer.
Yet, to me, strike rate is something many cricket selectors and skippers fail to use as a benchmark on performance. They look at bowling averages and, particularly, runs per over conceded, when they should be considering the average number of overs a bowler takes to get each of his wickets.
Jon Jacklin (Scunthorpe Town 2nds) amused me a few weeks ago, at Heslam Park, when the visiting side for a division three match - chasing a 200-plus total from the home side - were struggling to make one an over but not losing wickets. Jon pointed out 'yours truly' and suggested my off-spin might be just the thing to come on and get a wicket or two.
We then took a trip down memory lane, remembering how, years ago, veteran Alan Wilson, of Scunthorpe Town, had so often wreaked havoc among the unwary with his loopy leg-spinners and googlies.
Keelby veteran Jim Cowie has also operated at times this season in the mode of left-arm wrist-spinner - the Chinaman being most unusual and little-employed spinning style of all.
You don't see bowling like Alan Wilson's anymore, although (with tail-enders in his headlights) "Chippy" does a fair impression from time to time.
To me, and some others the other side of 45, there's no finer sight in cricket than a spinner tossing the ball up, with fielders set well back, and an attacking strokemaker taking up the challenge, particularly by driving down the ground.
That's a battle of wits, and abilities, which makes a refreshing change from the usual medium-pacer operating to a ring of fielders on the edge of the square, plus maybe a slip.
Before some slow bowlers complain about not getting a mention here, I will just make it clear that we have been talking about those who turn the ball regularly - not purveyors of slow-medium seamers, or floaters, who some batsmen might play as tweakers but actually don't fall into the category of "proper spinner".

RELEGATION DOGFIGHT AT RASE PARK

By Andy Richley, Captain, Market Rasen 2nds

Market Rasen’s young 2nd XI tasted a bitter-sweet victory in their last league game of the season on Saturday, beating Alford 2nds by 19 runs, only to find that their fellow strugglers, Brigg Town, had gone to second-placed Stamford Homes and won, meaning that the Rase Park outfit must rely on Alford taking fewer than 4 points from their last game to avoid ninth place and re-election.
On a balmy, late summer’s afternoon, Rase Park basked in the sunshine as Market Rasen and Alford 2nd XIs played out an enthralling end-of season encounter. With Rasen looking to lift themselves out of the bottom two and Alford still not mathmetically safe, both sides had everything to play for.
Alford won the toss, putting Rasen in and Luke Robinson and Ivan Nash set about making the most of their opportunity. The pair were particularly harsh on Dan Poynton, as the young Alford bowler failed to find a full-enough length to prosper. The 50 partnership was brought up in the 6th over as the bowling was put to the sword. It was only the introduction of Paul Nickson that Alford break through, as Nash was adjudged LBW for 22 with Rasen on 56.
The runs continued to flow as Robinson opened up, punishing anything loose from the bowlers and repeatedly finding and clearing the boundary. However, wickets continued to fall and, with the introduction of Daryl Crowe, Alford found a bowler capable of stemming the flow of runs and taking wickets.
Robinson brought up his 50 in the 16th over, out of 91, before falling on the same score; LBW to Crowe. Undeterred, the lower order continued to fling the bat with some success, as Crowe continued to wheel away, picking off Rasen batsmen as he went. Only Luke Richards, with 20, was able to halt the procession of wickets as Alford dismissed the home side for 145 in the 33rd over. Crowe ending up with 5 for 16 from 11 overs.
With 57 overs available to them and a Rasen side in the field with an average age of 17, Alford resumed slight favourites, but were swiftly evicted from the ‘box seats’. As Rampal (2 for 36 from 10 overs) and Andy Richley opened up, combining pace and spin, and the pair reduced the visitors to 13 for 4.
This brought together Dave Honman and Crowe for Alford, who added 40 runs together, before Luke Richards (1 for 25 from 11 overs) bowled Crowe for 28. Wells (1 for 10) bowled the Alford skipper, Wilkinson, shortly after, to leave Alford 56 for 6 and Rasen on top, but with Honman joined by a keen accomplice in Allen, the veteran pair set about knocking the tyro fielding side off their stride. The pair added 50 and, with overs not an issue, seemed content to continue taking the game steadily away from Rasen.
The re-introduction of Richley (3 for 30 from 12 overs) and a fine spell from Luke Robinson finished the home side off. Robinson ensnared both Honman (48) and Allen (32) to finish with 2 for 10 from 6.1 overs and see Rasen to victory by 19 runs.
The win for Rasen and results elsewhere, have lifted them to eighth for the time being. However, Alford are only four points behind and host Stamford Homes on Sunday in a must-win game for both sides, so it will be next week before their future is known.

FOOT OF LINCS E.C.B. PREMIER

So who will be coming down to the Lincs League premier for 2010, with one game left to play for Messingham and Caistor? Hartsholme are Lincs premier champs, ready and willing, we understand, to go up a level. Boston are champs of the South Lincs and Border League, and similarly qualified (we are sure) for promotion. Outcome of the necessary ground inspections/other criteria required by the would-be promotees for ECB League membership not yet known by the Lincs Cricket Latest editorial department - but we don't anticipate any difficulties there.

Latest ECB score: Nettleham 322-5 (R Cook 117, Smith 68), Messingham 114 (McKay 5-14).

Final fixtures: Caistor v Lindum (fifth), Louth (third) v Messingham.

Team	P	Pts	%
Caistor	21	131	36.39
Messingham	21	135	35.53

BARTON'S EDITED HIGHLIGHTS

Extracts from a circular by Gareth Mellors to Barton CC faithful

The cricket season is almost over and as I write this the 1st team have secured their status in the Lincs Premier Division. This has been a difficult season on the field as the unavailability of players has stretched us to the maximum limit on numerous occasions.
Saturday 19th will be the club's presentation night for both juniors and seniors. The 2nds are at home that day and it would be great to see all players and families stay for a few drinks and some food and congratulate all award winners.
Friday, 2nd October is the night of the Annual Sportsman's dinner. Birchy (Richard Birch) once again has been working his magic and found one of the best speakers and comedians on the circuit. Tickets are cheaper this year than last, and judging by the views of people who have seen Steve Kindon and Billy Bean (speaker and comedian) £30 is an absolute bargain.
Please contact me via email bartontowncc@hotmail.co.uk or call 01469 533396/ 07764 559203 on numbers, or preferably how many tables you want. If you haven't been before you really don't know what you are missing. Don't forget, the more we raise the more money the club gets.

Work will be starting on the square a week on Friday so any available hands will be most welcome. Al (Sanderson) and Teg (Tester) have put an almighty stint in this year with once again the weather causing serious problems to most clubs, apart from ours. This is pure and simply down to two things, Al and Teg. So if anyone has a spare few hours on that day please come down and give them some help.

The new net facility will be in place for next season. The net is being situated in the old car park. We are looking into putting a new car park behind the clubhouse, this will be for home players and spectators. This net is state of the art and is costing around £35,000.00. Well done, Al, once again for all his hard work. With this we can hopefully progress and really be pushing for honours next year.
I have said before, and I will say again, these are really exciting times. The AGM will be held within the next couple of months and the date will be confirmed and you all will be informed. This is your club, so have your say and do your bit. If anyone has any ideas or concerns, contact me via email bartontowncc@hotmail.co.uk or 01469 533396 / 07764 559203.

SOUTH LINCS AND BORDER

From Ann Boulton

What a weekend for runs, particularly for Woodhall Spa!
Andrew Crook (ex-Northants) made 146no for the 1st XI in their victory over Market Deeping and now has 1,118 to his name for the season, 20 short of the league record.
And in South Lincs & Border Div 1, Oakham set Woodhall 2nd XI a target of 250 for four - a respectable total off 50 overs. Sam Wills made 129 of these.
Woodhall then knocked the runs off without loss, Matt Sergeant making 180 while Matt Haslam contributed just 58! Matt H said he just kept one end going while his partner blazed away at the other.
Skegness 2nd, in Div 2, did even better, finishing 290 for two, Reece Brant with 110 and Alistair Ainsworth 133 not out! Steve O'Dare (blast from the past) took five wickets as opponents Cavaliers were out for 143.
Another century was scored by Simon Behan (remember him?), now playing for Blankney in Div 3 of the SLBL.

END OF AN ERA

Peter Douce, from Broughton, vice-chairman of the Scunthorpe and District Cricket Umpires' Association, officiated in his last match yesterday before stepping into a very well-earned retirement.
Peter, who has been umpiring locally for 29 years, stood in the Lincs division one game at West Halton Lane between Alkborough 2nds and Scunthorpe Town.
After tea, players from both sides sportingly formed a guard of honour as he entered the field to umpire his very last session of play.
Alkborough skipper Andy "Chippy" Clay also presented Peter with a bottle of wine, on behalf of the home club - a nice gesture.
Peter intends to carry on helping behind the scenes, which is just as well as he's the man who handles the vital paperwork for enhanced CRB (Criminal Record Bureau) checks, without which no umpires would be permitted to stand in any games.
Peter has helped, and encouraged, new umpires down the years and many of us are in his debt for advice and wise counsel received.
We understand Peter wants to keep in touch with local cricket next season, as a spectator, and he will be assured a warm welcome wherever he chooses to go.

FINE SEASON FOR JUNIOR TALENT

Caistor Cricket Club junior trophy winners with Sahan, this season's overseas player. Caistor have won the under-11 league, the under-13 league and the under-15 cup, also being runners-up in the under-17 league and cup. Wes Allison, who supplied the photo, says 116 children have been taking part in training.

GENERATION GAME

From Jon Taylor, Hibaldstow CC

Garry Dixon finished the Lincs League season with 52 wickets. When was the last time that a grandfather fast-medium bowler took over 50 wickets in the Lincs league? I can imagine a spinner, but a medium-fast one?


NF adds: Left-arm seamer Garry plays for Hibaldstow in division three and has also chipped in usefully with the bat at times this season.

SHUTTING THE STABLE DOOR...

While the Old Trafford Twenty-20 international abandonment fiasco was unfolding before our very eyes a few weeks ago, Shane Warne, the Aussie leg-spinning legend, sent a brief message to Sky Sports commentary colleagues, saying: "Let's bowl from only one end!"
This would have got over the problem of a slippery patch near the square which resulted in the umpires calling off the game, on safety grounds, with the full agreement of the captains of Australia and England.
David "Bumble" Lloyd described it as a disaster for cricket and his beloved county club, as TV viewers watched bemused fans heading out of the ground. Lancashire CCC spokesman Jim Cumbes felt the game could, and should, have gone ahead - despite the damp patch.
Yet no-one on the night acted on Warne's brilliant suggestion.
Today's sports pages, however, contain brief reference to the authorities who run the game now concluding it would be a good idea to get two strips ready for a Twenty-20 international (just in case there's a problem with surface water), and that bowling from one end should be allowed, if it means getting things under way.
Now who's paid to govern our game and come up with solutions?
Not Shane Warne - you are unlikely to see him donning a suit and taking charge when the going gets tough.
Yet he came up with the solution in a quick text message, while others (on the night), hands tied by red tape regulations and playing conditions, did not.
It's all too late now, of course. The damage to cricket as a spectator sport was done that night in Manchester - after which, as Messrs Cumbes and Lloyd rightly pointed out, people who had paid a lot of money to watch international cricket for the first time will probably never do so again.
This official ruling - very welcome as it is - is very much a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. We needed someone in authority on the night just to say to both teams: "OK, it's not strictly in the rules - but let's give bowling from one end a try!"
This reminds me of a game about this time of year some 20 years ago when my own club's first team needed to win its final home game of the season to clinch the South Humberside Alliance division one championship ahead of Grimsby team SCM.
Having bowled out visiting South Kelsey 2nds for 90-odd, we watched in horror at tea as a thunderstorm deposited masses of water on the Brigg Sugar Factory square. Unsurprisingly the playing strip was not draining very well at all - due to the amount of top dressing applied and rolling carried out.
But umpire ex-Minor Counties umpire John Harrison - standing alone - merely inquired of the groundsman: "Could you cut another strip out on the far end of the square?"
No-one realised that was in order - but that's what we did, the game resumed on the second strip without too much further delay, and we inched home by a couple of wickets to lift the trophy.
I applied what we might call The Harrison Solution myself while umpiring a North Lindsey cup-tie in Gainsborough a year or two back. But although that got play under way, both teams insisted on playing more overs than seemed sensible to us, given the weather forecast, and the 'semi' eventually had to be abandoned, then replayed.

TOP MAN

I've just been looking through a copy of the Scunthorpe Town Guide from 1978/9, which contains an interesting cricket entry.
For, in the list of helpful contacts for various social and sporting groups, the heading 'Cricket' is followed by 'Mr D S De Silva, c/o Central Centre, Lindum Street, Scunthorpe, tel 62639'.
D S De Silva was an all-round player of first class calibre from Sri Lanka who came to Scunthorpe in the mid-1970s and proved a huge success for Scunthorpe Town, and I seem to recall for Lincolnshire, too.
No other cricket club merits a mention in the Scunthorpe Guide for that year, and we can only wonder whether the above entry helped attact any newcomers to the fold at Heslam Park.
It's strange how these publications appear to survive down the decades and crop up in drawers and cupboards from time to time. Just as this one has. I've also uncovered a stack of old cricket handbooks, Wisdens and cuttings of articles penned on cricket in the 1980s.
Plenty to keep us going during the close season.

WHO NEEDS WHAT

Glen Sands, the Lincs League fixture secretary, has kindly provided an 'in a nutshell' guide to who needs what, in terms of points, now we have arrived at the penultimate Saturday of the season.

Premier division: Barton Town require 3pts to ensure safety, which would relegate Alford. Broughton are already down.

Division one: Cleethorpes 3rds require eight points to clinch the title; Grimsby Town 2nds and Alkborough 2nds already relegated.

Division two: Louth 2nds need 4pts to secure the title; Louth 2nds and Hykeham already promoted; Keelby and Holton-le-Clay 2nds already relegated.

Division three: Haxey 2nds require 16pts to clinch the title; Haxey 2nds and Outcasts 2nds both promoted; Caistor 3rds and Keelby 2nds relegated.

Division four: Washingborough already champions and promoted; Stamford Homes need 26pts from two games to ensure promotion; Nothing yet decided at foot of table for bottom two re-election places.

Let's not forget, too, that individual performances can be important in a team's final match or two, with positions in the divisional end-of-season averages (compiled by Andy Sharp) to be considered.

LONG HAUL

Sunday, September 20 sees the final Lincs League game of the season - that's five months and two days since it all started.
The day after the last match (Alford 2nds v Stamford Homes, division four) there's a get-together of Lincolnshire League officials to start the preliminaries for the 2010 season, and tie up a few loose ends from the current campaign.
No rest for the wicked!

WHAT A TITLE RACE IT'S BEEN

From Mick Devereux, Horncastle CC captain

Horncastle have one game left, away to Bracebridge Heath 2nds a week on Saturday, and can still finish fourth after what has been a difficult but intriguing Lincolnshire premier division season - and they will hope to go out in style.

UNBELIEVABLE

I swear I haven't been sitting at home on the computer pressing F5 (to refresh) on the Lincs Cricket Latest website, but somehow, in the past week, we've enjoyed another TWO THOUSAND hits.
That must mean we've gained a lot of new visitors, in which case it would be great to know how your heard about the site, and what you are finding of interest (or not!). Thanks also go to our many regular visitors, supporters, and suppliers of snippets (and often much more).
Your comments and suggestions will be welcomed. So click on this link and get typing now...
DEAR Mr EDITOR

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE

Only a couple of days after Lincs Cricket Latest flagged up the need to recruit more local umpires for next season, the ECB's Association of Cricket Officials has sent me details of a very praiseworthy campaign being run to get more people across the UK to take up the white coat.
It features Peter Willey, the former Northants and England all-rounder who played 26 Tests for his country, and has since umpired a similar number at the highest level. Pictured with him (right) is Simon Wilson, a club cricketer who has now joined the umpiring ranks.
"Club or country, stay in the game at every level," is the praiseworthy message being put across by the ECB in its recruitment campaign.
This poster will be appearing in some 5,000 cricket clubs across the land, with the aim of "converting" players to umpires, who can then be involved in "giving decisions instead of having to accept them!"
To find out more contact your local umpires' association, call the ECB on 020 7432 1240 or follow our helpful direct link to ECB OFFICIALS

SPARKLING ENTERTAINMENT

By Graham Hackney, Cleethorpes CC

Sunday saw the Cleethorpes Cricket Club host its fifth annual Twenty20 Cup competition at Chichester Road with the hosts first up facing Yorkshire League rivals Hull YPI in the first semi-final. The second semi would see holders Sheffield United, also of the Yorkshire League, face newcomers West Indian Cavaliers of the Nottinghamshire Premier League. After putting Hull in, Cleethorpes’ bowlers, backed up by some excellent ground fielding and superb catching, responded by restricting their near rivals to just 91-8 in their twenty overs. Cleethorpes' Sri Lankan guest player Omesh Wijesiriwardena produced a hostile opening spell, while Alex Osmond picked up four late wickets to peg Hull back as they went on the offensive. With a large crowd gathering, James Osmond and Ishan Mutaliph treated them to some sparkling shots as the scoreboard rattled along. Despite losing Osmond, Cleethorpes had little trouble reaching their target in the 14th over for the loss of three wickets with Mutaliph out attempting to finish the game for a handsome 45.

The second semi produced an amazing finish after the West Indian Cavaliers had posted 127-6 against Sheffield United. Michael Millwood had hit three sixes and five fours when racing to 50 in just 30 balls for the Cavaliers before the holders fought back to restrict the Cavaliers. Sheffield looked to be coasting to victory at 87-3 before two superb run-outs led to a collapse that would see them enter the final over requiring four runs with just two wickets in hand. Another sharp run out and a scampered two left the game in the balance before a brilliant diving catch at the second attempt by Cavalier Andy Hayre gave the West Indians victory by the smallest of margins, one run.

The final saw the West Indians bat first and soon rattled up 46 in the first five overs. With Morteze Ali completing a rapid 50 the Cavaliers brought up the hundred with four overs remaining before racing to the day’s highest total as they closed on 143-7. This could have been considerably more but for another display of superb fielding from the Meggies who held some great catches, noticeably Charlie Tomlinson. In reply Cleethorpes soon lost Mutaliph to a disputed catch in the covers, while James Osmond started to smash the ball to all parts of the ground. Keeping up with the rate of seven an over, James reached his fifty before departing in the 11th over, having hit three sixes. With risks needing to be taken a flurry of wickets fell and after Alex Osmond departed for 30 the balance of the game swung Cavaliers' way. Eighteen off the final two overs looked a tall order but with Omesh having hit a massive six Cleethorpes knew they still had a chance. The final over started with Cleethorpes 136-8, needing eight runs win. With Jack Harrison run out off the first delivery going for a second run, and a well-run two off the second ball, Omesh gleefully smashed the third ball for six to claim the trophy by one wicket to the delight of the crowd and his team-mates.
Many thanks to Chris Broadburn of E.A Broadburn (Chemists) Ltd who kindly sponsored the event for the fifth year running and he presented the individual awards and trophy to winning skipper James Osmond.

This weekend Cleethorpes 1st X1 finish their Yorkshire League campaign with a clash at Chichester Road with champions York (12 Noon Start). Dan Tolson’s 2nd X1 travel to Alford knowing nothing but twenty points will give them a chance of lifting the Lincs Premier League crown, while results elsewhere must go Cleethorpes way. Sunday sees Paul Hewstone’s 3rd X1 entertain Appleby-Frodingham 2nds (1.30pm start)in the knowledge that a ten-point haul will clinch the Lincs League first division title. This will give them the double after earlier winning the Bob Welton Cup. Cleethorpes Academy finish their East Lindsey campaign with a trip to Holton-le-Clay where they face Tetney.

Pictured, from the top: Runners-up West Indies Cavaliers, champions Cleethorpes, Alex Osmond hitting a six and then receiving the trophy from the tournament sponsor. All images kindly provided by Graham Hackney.

More details of this event were posted on Lincs Cricket Latest on Monday this week, if you want to read, and see, more on the tournament.