PROMISING POSITION

By Graham Hackney

Cleethorpes Cricket Club completed a highly successful 2009 campaign that saw all its senior sides challenging for honours in their respective divisions.
James Osmond’s 1st X1 finished in a promising sixth position in the Oxbridge Yorkshire ECB Premier league. Although they fell away with two disappointing home defeats in the final two fixtures of the season, his side managed to cling on to a deserved top six finish that bodes well for next year. The side featured a blend of youth and experience with youngsters Harry Clewett and Jack Harrison cementing their places in the side. The batting was led once again by Bill Kirby who topped the sides averages with 927 league runs at 48.79.
Alex Osmond came good with the bat towards the end of the campaign to top 500 runs, while James Osmond - pictured right - and Eddie Carlton made good contributions throughout.
The major disappointment was overseas professional Ishan Mutaliph who failed to build on a great first season to hit 471 runs at 23.70 as his brand of attacking strokeplay proved his downfall. The club are in the process of searching for a new professional for next season. As the pitches became harder and drier, Alex Osmond’s leg-spin came into its own as he finished the league’s top wicket taker with a magnificent 63 wickets at 14.97. Veteran Andy Ellis chipped in with 37 league wickets while Harry Clewett (25) and James Osmond (21) both topped twenty wickets. Jack Harrison shouldered the burden of the new ball well with 16 wickets while still restricted to the number of overs he could bowl. Disappointments came with a first round defeat in the National Knockout Cup at Hallam and a quarter final defeat to Scarborough on run rate in the league cup. The side capped the season with a great win in the club’s Twenty20 finals day when Sri Lankan guest player smashed a last over six to guide them to a one-wicket win over a strong West Indian Cavaliers side.

Dan Tolson’s 2nd X1 competed well in a highly competitive Lincs’ Premier league. They finally finished third despite leading the pack with two weeks of the season remaining. Key losses at high flying Haxey and eventual champions Hartsholme proved pivotal late on in the season.
George Carlton - pictured below, right - led the batting with 316 runs at 52.67 after a late start to the season but no other batsmen topped 300 runs as the sides strength lay in its bowling.
Paceman John Zielinski finished top bowler with 27 wickets at 13.15 with opening partner Peter Thompson picking up 21 wickets at 14.52. Stuart Harvey’s 31 wickets came at 16.84 apiece while Mike Shelton (17) and Rob Brice lent good support. A disappointing defeat at Grimsby Town 2nds saw the side knocked out of the George Marshall in the second round.

Cleethorpes 3rds enjoyed a trophy laden season adding the league title to the Bob Welton Cup the retained when beating Alkborough 2nds by 6 wickets. They clinched the Lincs’ First divison title with a game to go after title rivals Scunthorpe Town fell away at the end of the season.
Ian Bellamy - pictured here with the Bob Welton Cup final man of the match trophy - was the stand out performer with both bat and ball. He hit a mammoth 481 runs at 53.44 and also took 33 wickets at 11.82 to top the bowling. Skipper Paul Hewstone was ever ready to give youth a chance and was rewarded with Callam Robinson and Matt Shelton cementing their places at the top of the order with Lewis Markham (27 wickets) and Fred Lumby (18 wickets) taking increased responsibility with the ball. Lumby’s 7/6 at Scunthorpe Town 2nds in the cup was the highlight of the season.

Cleethorpes 4th overcame a poor start to the season to finish a creditable fourth in the Lincs’ Second Division.

Veteran Bob Leafe - pictured here - with 472 runs at 29.50 held the batting together as a number of youngsters were blooded. The nature of the side meant numerous personnel changes were made during the season and no other batsman passed 200 runs. Lewis Markham topped the sides bowling despite only playing six times with 21 wickets at 8.76.

Cleethorpes North Lindsey side retained their First Division crown led by Alex Osmond and also clinched the league cup while Neil Wheeler’s Academy side took the opportunity to introduce a number of youngsters to senior cricket in the East Lindsey league.

The club’s presentation evening will take place on Saturday 5th December at 7.30pm and all players are encouraged to attend. Lancashire Chief Executive and Ex-Ason Villa goalkeeper Jim Cumbes will be guest speaker. Special thanks go to Margaret Ferrier and her tea girls for providing the teas and refreshments throughout the season and the stirling work of Groundsman Howard Swain and his ‘Boundary Boys’ who keep the ground in pristine condition and ensure the wicket remains amongst the best in the county. Preparation work has already commenced for next season with winter nets about to begin in a couple of weeks while the square has already been worked on. The club are looking for match scorers for next season and if anyone is interested please contact the club on 691271.