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.