CENTURY IS PICK OF CHERRY BATTING

By Glen Sands

Outcasts suffered an humiliating defeat yesterday at the hands of Cherry Willingham who outplayed their Isle of Axholme compatriates in every department, running out victors by 201 runs.
The only positive aspect of the day came when Outcasts won the toss and for a while their opening bowlers kept things quite tight. Peter Tait produced a terrific throw with just one stump to aim for when running out Cherry's skipper Lee Coupland as he tried to pinch a quick single, then Will Carter joined Andy Johnson at the crease and between them they began to piece together a decent partnership. Tom Sharpe and Jason Whiteley continued to put the squeeze on the men from Lincoln with just 37 runs coming from the first 14 overs but the shackles were slipped soon after as Carter in particular began to find some form. Johnson appeared set to make a half century only to fall eight short when he was bowled by Simon Lewis with the score on 62 and Scott Coupland then helped to take the total past three figures along with Carter who really was batting well. Coupland was next to go, brilliantly run out by a direct hit from Tom Sharpe for 20, but John Singleton then added 68 runs with the impressive Carter as Outcasts were made to toil in the cold May afternoon weather. Singleton had made 21 when he was caught by Oliver Coulman off Sharpe whilst Carter continued to press home the advantage reaching a splendid ton as the Cherry total passed 200. McGill (7) and Dan Laughton (8) surrendered their wickets in the chase for late runs and by the end of 45 overs the visitors had made an imposing 236 for 6, Carter ending the innings on 111 not out with Tom Sharpe picking up 2 for 67 for the Priorymen.
If their bowling efforts had proved somewhat tough the Outcasts batting display was quite simply woeful. David Hobson was first to go, bowled by the reliable and accurate Joe Dobson for just a single and he was quickly followed to the pavilion by Craig McAnaney who didnt manage a run at all before he was bowled by Keith Whiteley. Graham Clark was caught by Dan Laughton off Dobson having scored just one and with the total at 16 they lost their fourth wicket as Oliver Coulman was bowled by Dobson for seven , giving the Cherry bowler his third wicket of the innings. Stand in skipper Andy Torr was next to go, comprehensively bowled by Whiteley without scoring and the visitors were celebrating another wicket from the very next delivery when Tom Sharpe was skittled by the in form Whiteley who was now on a hat trick. Incredibly he was successful in his quest when Peter Tait offered no shot to the hat trick ball and was adjudged LBW , leaving Outcasts on a disastrous 16 for 7 and staring an embarassing defeat in the face. Jason Whiteley hit a boundary before he was another LBW victim, this time to Dobson and despite a late addition of a further ten runs the humiliation was soon completed when Keith Whiteley picked up another two to take his figures to 6 for 17 whilst Dobson ended with 4 for 11 from the other end.
So Outcasts have now lost all four games so far and in truth have only been competitive in one of those outings, whilst their second eleven have faired little better as they were beaten for the third time at Haxey 2nds where they were bowled out for 73 before their near neighbours squeezed their way to 74 for 4, although they were made to fight extremely hard to overcome the Outcasts total.
Next up for the first team is a home game against Louth 2nds, whilst the second team travel over to the coast to take on Grimsby Town 2nds with both teams looking for a big improvement to kick start their respective seasons.