MEGGIES DENIED MAX POINTS

Patrick Hughes in action for Cleethorpes 2nds against Bracebridge Heath 2nds in the Lincs League premier division.


Peter Fulton in action against Driffield.



Report and pictures from Graham Hackney

Cleethorpes 1st X1’s game at Castleford became a victim of the heavy rain in West Yorkshire last Saturday but they bounced back on Bank Holiday Monday to record a second successive league victory at home to Driffield. Asked to bat first on a lively wicket, Cleethorpes’ batting showed far better resilience to make 224-6 in their 55 overs. The backbone of the innings was again Bill Kirby who batted nearly 50 overs for a patient 73, in 153 balls, that included seven boundaries. He found good support from Peter Fulton (31) and added further half-century stands with Alex Osmond (28) and Charlie Tomlinson (27). James Windeatt (14) hit two towering sixes before James Osmond’s final flourish (24no) set Driffield a challenging target. Clee’s opening bowlers both had early success as Andy Ellis and Jack Harrison removed both openers early, Harrison courtesy of a fine leg-side catch from wicketkeeper James Osmond, and Ellis removed Cadmore after the opener inexplicably padded up to a straight delivery. When Ellis removed Drury to a smart Yaniv Judah catch, Driffield had slipped to 44-3. Only a fine 79 from Joe Fraser kept Driffield in the game as further wickets fell after the introduction of Cleethorpes spinners Alex Osmond and Harry Clewett. Osmond picked up two stumpings from his brother as Driffield collapsed to 132-8 before a dogged ninth wicket stand of 49 took Driffield to 181-8 at the close to deny Meggies maximum points. Osmond finished with 3/57 in 18 overs with Clewett the pick of the bowlers with 2/52 in 15 overs. Ellis had figures of 2/38 in 13, while strike partner Harrison finished 1/19 in 6 overs as Cleethorpes picked up six points.
Cleethorpes 2nds were denied by the heavy drizzle and poor light as their home game with Bracebridge Heath 2nds was eventually abandoned on Saturday with Cleethorpes in a healthy position. They had earlier posted 197 all out in 42.3 overs with Patrick Hughes dominating the bowlers with a powerful 86 until last man out. He added 67 for the seventh wicket with Nathan Judah (27) and there were other positive contributions from Elliott Drinkell (22) and Paul Sunley (21). Bracebridge had reached 27-1 in eight overs when the umpires brought proceedings to an abrupt halt with Kris Adams and John Zielinski causing the batsmen all kinds of problems with their pace. Adams picked up the only wicket to finish 1/8 in four overs.
Cleethorpes 3rds' match at Cherry Willingham also fell foul of the weather but they had slightly better luck on Sunday claiming eleven points from their home draw with Nettleham 2nds. Nettleham had posted 204-9 in their 45 overs but because of a number of rain delays the game was reduced to a time game meaning only 35 overs were possible in Cleethorpes’ reply. At the close they had reached 147-6 to claim two batting points. Earlier, Lewis Markham had defied a sodden ball to bowl a fine spell of legspin to record 5/80 in 17 overs. He got great support from veteran Jeff Todd who pegged the Nettleham batsmen back with figures of 3/43 in 10 overs. Cleethorpes' reply was anchored around young Ryan Harrison who fell four runs short a maiden senior half-century, hitting an excellent 46. Dan Tolson had added impetus to the innings with 38 while Fred Lumby’s 16no ensured Cleethorpes gained some reward from their batting.
Cleethorpes 4ths' game at the Stamford Club against Messingham 2nds was also abandoned on Saturday. Messingham’s innings was reduced to 37 overs and they posted a healthy 207-5 in difficult conditions. Ian Mansfield was again the pick of the bowlers with 2/55 in 12 overs with Danny Khan, Reece Holberry and Riaan Swanepoel all picking up solitary wickets. When the umpires called time, Meggies had reached 72-3 in 19.3 overs with Nathan Would top scoring with a classy 25 while Bob Leafe had reached 20 not out as Cleethorpes take seven points from the draw.
Sunday saw two young North and East Lindsey sides crash to heavy defeats at Messingham and Alford respectively. Holders Cleethorpes lost their grip on the Division One North Lindsey League Cup when they went down to a 106-run defeat at Messingham. A brilliant unbeaten century from Messingham overseas player Cameron Fletcher (129no) formed the bulk of Messingham’s mammoth 246-2 in 40 overs. Only Paul Sunley was successful for Cleethorpes but his two wickets came at a cost of 65 runs in his eight overs. In reply only Chris Wragg with 30 and Patrick Hughes with an excellent 75 kept Cleethorpes in the hunt and when these two departed the innings fell away to 140 all out in 27.2 overs. Alex Osmond led the East Lindsey side at a strong Alford and nearly came away with a surprise win. Alford batted first but were bowled out for 163 in 33.4 overs. Good bowling from John Mansfield (3/19 in 5.4 overs) had restricted Alford early on and when Osmond introduced himself to the attack he ripped through the middle order to claim remarkable figures of 5/6 in 4 overs. Riaan Swanepoel and Sam Would also picked up wickets to leave Cleethorpes in with a shout. Osmond opened with youngster Chris Burgess and the went on the attack immediately hitting a positive 17 before being first man out at 34. Unfortunately the rest of Cleethorpes young side could not support Osmond with only Nathan Would reaching double figures. Osmond was fifth man out for 58 with the score on 101 and the innings faded to 114 all out in 32 overs to leave Alford winners by 49 runs.
This weekend Cleethorpes 1st X1 travel to Sheffield Collegiate today, eager to make it three league wins in a row. Cleethorpes 2nds face Haxey at Chichester Road (1pm start) as they continue to mount a challenge for the Premier league crown. Paul Hewstone’s 3rd X1 look for their first league win of the campaign when they travel to Hykeham, while the 4th X1, this week led by Bob Leafe, also travel to Lincoln to take on Hartsholme 2nds.

Ryan Harrison smashes a boundary for Clee 3rds.

Bill Kirby hits a four against Driffield.

Messrs Osmond and Fulton successfully appeal for LBW against Driffield.