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.