SENSATIONAL START FOR MEGGIES

Bill Kirby hammers through the covers against Scarborough.


Report and pictures from Graham Hackney, Cleethorpes CC

Cleethorpes 1st X1 suffered disappointing back to back defeats to Scarborough and York at Chichester Road over the Bank Holiday weekend. On both occasions they were asked to chase moderate targets but fell well short in both games. Saturday's encounter with Scarborough got off to a sensational start with veteran seamer Andy Ellis claiming two wickets of the opening over of the match courtesy of a brilliant leg side stumping from James Osmond and a catch at cover from Harry Clewett. Ellis claimed three more wickets in quick succession as Scarborough wilted to 43-5 and at this point had figures of 5/5 in eight overs. Scarborough then staged a fightback with their sixth wicket pair adding 42 before Harry Clewett claimed the scalp of Scarborough's overseas Rinke. From here on in Cleethorpes went on the defensive and the tactic looked to have payed off before Ellis conceeded 21 in the final over of the innings to set a target of 164 to win. Ellis' figures remained impressive with 5/68 as he bowled unchanged throughout the 55 overs. Clewett gave good support with 1/41 in 13 overs. Cleethorpes reply got off to a poor start when New Zealand overseas Peter Fulton edged behind without scoring. Eddie Carlton scratched around for 12 before falling in similar fashion and when Alex Osmond and Charlie Tomlinson both followed for ducks Cleethorpes had slipped to 29-4. Bill Kirby had dropped anchor at one end but having reached 26 in 86 balls top edged a pull to first slip. Neil Wheeler (15) attempted to inject some urgency into the innings but fell shortly after to leave James Osmond and James Windeatt the final recognised pair of batsmen left. Osmond gradullay took command of the bowling hitting a number of sparkling boundaries before a contensious lbw decision saw him depart for 33. Windeatt attemted to win the game for Meggies but fell for 15 before the tail subsided quickly to leave them 119 all out some 44 runs short of victory.
Bank Holiday Monday's defeat by 96 runs to reigning champions York came after another terrific bowling display by Cleethorpes. On a green wicket they bowled York out for just 159 in 49.2 overs. Harry Clewett had been the pick of the bowlers with 4/25 in 11.2 overs with Ellis again producing a superb opening spell with 2/15 in 9 overs. Alex Osmond, Rob Brice and Peter Fulton also added wickets. Howver Cleethorpes were dealt a cruel blow when Eddie Carlton badly broke a thumb that would later require surgery and so leave the side a batsman light. York's bowlers were soon making good use of the conditions as Cleethorpes' top order again failed to fire. Fulton (2), Alex Osmond (3) and Tomlinson (0) all departed in the first six overs to leave them 5-3. Bill Kirby battled around for 18 but wickets continued to tumble against some hostile bowling. Only Rob Brice (10) reached double figures from the lower order and when Jack Harrison was run out Cleethorpes had been bowled out for just 63.
Paul Sunley's 2nd X1's game at Horncastle on Saturday became a victim of the weather as a terrential shower put paid to proceedings with Cleethorpes 60-1. Indy Hayre had reached 35 not out with Yaniv Judah run out for 20. Cleethorpes claimed 5 points but bounced back to claim all 20 points with a great win at table topping Barton Town on Monday. Batting first they posted a challenging 179 all out. Sunley top scored with a fluent 43 while there were other good contributions from Rob Griffin 40, Gary Cowlam 37 and Rich Griffin's 23. At 154-4, Barton looked to be coasting home but fantastic spell from John Zielinski tore the Barton batting apart. His 6/34 in 17.2 overs ensured Barton were bowled out for 170 just nine runs short as he and Rich Griffin, with 3/18 in 7 overs, took Cleethorpes to victory.
Cleethorpes 4ths earned a good 16-run victory at Outcasts 2nds last Saturday. A captain's innings of 59 from Kris Richardson with contributions of 20 form Ryan Harrison and 17 from senior Will Abe meant Cleethorpes posted 170-9 in their 45 overs. In reply Cleethorpes opening attack of the John and Ian Mansfield soon had Outcasts in trouble. John claimed two early wickets while Cleethorpes employed three leg spiners, Abe, Richardson and young George Hawkey and all chipped in with a wicket apiece. Ian Mansfield then returned for a devastating second spell that brought four more wickets to finish with 5/33 in 10.5 overs to leave Outcasts 154 all out.
Both Cleethorpes' North and East Lindsey sides had good wins on Sunday. Paul Hewstone led the North Lindsey side to a comfortable six wicket win at home to Appleby-Frodingham. Fred Lumby (3/21 in 7 overs) and Riaan Swanepoel (3/14 in 5) had helped contain Frodingham to 121 all out in 38.2 overs. Simon Taylor also grabbed a brace with Lewis Markham the other wicket taker. Cleethorpes had few problems reaching their target with Ben Marris (40) and Patrick Hughes (28) adding 51 for the third wicket. Elliott Drinkell (23no) then finished the game off in his usual style with some 15 overs to spare.
Cleethorpes Academy had a four-wicket win at Brocklesby Park on Sunday. They kept Brocklesby to 108-9 in their 40 overs with Sam Would the pick of the attack with 3/15 in 8 overs. Youngsters Joel Gibbs (2/13) and Brad Greenhalgh (2/23) both bowled well. Josh Latimer's 32 got Cleethorpes off to a fine start in reply before Kris Richardson (18no) and Skipper Neil Wheeler (29no) took Cleethorpes home.
This weekend sees Cleethorpes 1sts travel to bottom-placed Sheffield United, eager to get back to winning ways in the Yorkshire league on Saturday before facing Doncaster away in the first round of the league cup on Sunday. Paul Sunley's 2nd X1 have the opportunity to improve their league position with back to back home games against South Kelsey on Saturday and Barton Town on Sunday (both 1pm starts). Cleethorpes 4ths entertain Grimsby Town 2nds at the Stamford Club this Saturday (1.30pm Start). The Academy make the long trek to Frieston on Sunday.

Harry Clewitt chases a wide one.

Cleethorpes 1st X1.