FIRST TIE IN ECB LEAGUE

By Ann Boulton

The first tie of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League season was played out at Louth where, despite New Zealand star Josh Brodie making his comeback with an innings of 63, Lindum were restricted to 167 for nine off their 50 overs.
Louth batted steadily until they were on equal terms with their visitors with one wicket standing but were unable to score the vital winning run, losing their last batsman with eight balls to go of the match.
League newcomers Boston are rapidly becoming the team to watch for the unexpected result – on this occasion a five wicket win over second-placed Grimsby at Augusta Street. Top score of the day went once again to Boston opener Jonathan Cheer who hit a massive 133 as his side chased down Grimsby’s 227 for nine of which Richard Antcliffe made 66.
There were also celebrations at Bourne where the home side recorded their first win of the season, beating Nettleham by four wickets after the visitors had finished on 227 for six. Andrew Hibberd added another 75 to his growing runs tally while for Bourne, Conrad Louth was unbeaten on 88 and Charlie Hopkins hit 76.
Bracebridge Heath marched on at the top of the table after being bowled out for 238 by Sleaford, Nick John scoring 56. In reply, Oliver Burford hit the day’s only other century with 110 but couldn’t prevent his side going down by 61 runs. This defeat means that the London Road side, who rose three places to third last week, have slipped back down to sixth.
Woodhall Spa looked set for high score when they raced to 104 without loss off 12 overs at Market Deeping, only to be bowled out for 214, Nick Cowley taking five for 54. Deeping then knocked the runs off for the loss of only three wickets. Four half centuries were scored in this match, Sam Evison (57) and Ricky Lovelace (52) for Woodhall and Charlie Kearns (56) and David Gillett (62no) for Market Deeping.
Skegness hit the highest individual score of the day with 285 for seven, Peter Houghton making 72 and Saeed Bariwala 55. This proved too big a challenge for Hartsholme who were bowled out for 200, Nathan Poundall scoring 67 and Roald Badenhorst (pictured) taking six for 37.

RESULTS
Woodhall Spa 214 (Evison 57, Lovelace 52, Cowley 5-54), Market Deeping 217-3 (C Kearns 56, Gillett 62no); Nettleham 227-6 (Hibberd 75), Bourne 231-6 (Louth 88no, Hopkins 76); Bracebridge Heath 238 (John 56), Sleaford 177 (Burford 110, Onyon 5-47);
Grimsby 227-9 (Antcliffe 66), Boston 228-5 (Cheer 133);Skegness 285-7 (Houghton 72, Bariwala 55), Hartsholme 200 (Poundall 67, Badenhorst 6-37); Lindum 167-9 (Brodie 63), Louth 167.

HOW THEY STAND
Bracebridge Heath 5 4 0 0 1 17 20 40 0 77 96%
Grimsby 5 2 1 2 0 20 19 20 14 73 73%
Market Deeping 5 3 1 0 1 12 14 30 0 56 70%
Skegness 5 3 1 0 1 12 14 30 0 56 70%
Lindum 5 3 1 1 0 14 20 30 5 69 69%
Sleaford 5 2 2 0 1 14 17 20 0 51 64%
Boston 5 2 2 0 1 10 17 20 0 47 59%
Nettleham 5 1 2 1 1 18 11 10 3 42 53%
Bourne 5 1 3 0 1 10 13 10 0 33 41%
Woodhall Spa 5 0 2 2 1 14 8 0 10 32 40%
Louth 5 0 3 1 1 12 10 0 5 27 34%
Hartsholme 5 0 3 1 1 9 15 0 3 27 34%