WELCOME RETURN TO FORM

By Graham Hackney

Cleethorpes 1st X1 crashed to a heavy eight-wicket defeat at Sheffield Collegiate on Saturday when they were unable to defend a target of 244 in humid conditions. Having won the toss and elected to bat, Cleethorpes got off to a confident start with Yaniv Judah (15) hitting three early boundaries as he and Bill Kirby (12) added 24 in the first six overs. However both fell in identical circumstances as Thompson bowled the pair with balls that nipped back in. Peter Fulton was joined by Alex Osmond and the pair laid the foundations for Cleethorpes’ total with a dominant stand of 141 in 36 overs. After struggling with the bat in the early part of the season, Alex Osmond (70) made a welcome return to form striking twelve fours on his way to his first Yorkshire league half-century of the season. Fulton especially was in excellent form pulling anything remotely short while using his long stride to great effect to drive through the covers. He brought up his fifty in only 75 balls as the hundred partnership came up. With a big total in site, Cleethorpes looked to kick on and in doing so lost valuable wickets. The introduction of Ex-Pakistani spinner Nadeem Khan had held Clee in check and it was he who bowled Fulton having hit 82 in 110 including 12 fours and two towering sixes. Osmond followed soon afterwards and it was left to Charlie Tomlinson, with an excellent cameo of 32 in 29 balls, and James Osmond, 20 in 14 balls to take Meggies to their final total of 243-7 in 55 overs. Sheffield got their reply off to a positive start with Gaywood and Billy Root adding 68 for the first wicket in under 16 overs. Cleethorpes were struggling to apply an pressure to the batsmen as boundaries flowed at will. Even the introduction of Alex Osmond had little effect as Cleethorpes premier spinner went wicketless in his ten overs. Harry Clewett eventually made the breakthrough, Fulton accepting a sharp chance at slip to remove Root (40). Meckenna joined Gaywood and the pair added a confident 116 for the second-wicket before a tired shot from Gaywood saw Ellis take a catch again off Clewett. This was to prove to be Clee’s last success as Sheffield’s Wall proceeded to knock off the remaining 61 runs in under nine overs. They reached their target in 49.1 overs with Clewett the only successful bowler with 2/85 in 17 overs in a poor bowling performance from Cleethorpes.
Cleethorpes 2nd X1 climbed to second in the Lincs Premier with a comfortable 7-wicket win over Haxey at Chichester Road on Saturday. Batting first Haxey had reached 129 without loss when Skipper Paul Sunley turned to part-time spinner Rob Griffin. He quickly rewarded his captains faith to produce stunning figures of 7/27 in 9.2 overs as Haxey collapsed in his spell to 174 all out in 45.2 overs. Indy Hayre also weighed in with 3/29 in 11 overs in a remarkable turnaround. Despite losing Hayre (0) early on Chris Wragg (22) and Paul Sunley (46) added 75 for the second wicket. However both departed in quick succession and it was left to in-form Patrick Hughes (64 in 57 balls) and Rob Griffin (28 not out) to take Cleethorpes to victory in only the 38th over. The twenty points Cleethorpes secured moved them into second place in the table tucked in behind Messingham who they dace this coming Saturday.
Paul Hewstone’s 3rd X1 are still looking for their first victory of the season after seeing Saturday’s encounter at Hykeham abandoned due to a torrential shower with the game evenly poised. Hykeham had earlier made 217-9 in their 45 overs with Lewis Markham the pick of the bowlers. Despite taking some punishment in his final over, Markham still produced excellent figures of 3/33 in 11 overs of legspin. Fred Lumby took 3/51 in 12 overs with Simon Taylor and Stuart Harvey also taking a wicket each. Cleethorpes lost Ben Marris (9) and Callum Robinson (7) before youngster Ryan Harrison (26) was needlessly run out. Dan Tolson (33 not out) and Joe Farmery added an unbeaten 27 when the heavens opened and flooded the square with Cleethorpes 111-3 in 34.5 overs. They take nine points from the match to leave them second bottom of the Lincs’ First Division table.
Cleethorpes 4ths were led by Bob Leafe in Kris Richardson’s absence but still crashed to a nine-wicket defeat at Hartsholme 2nds on Saturday. Will Abe (23) and David Mansfield got the 4ths of to a good start but wickets then fell in a flurry. John Mansfield (21) and Bob Leafe (19) consolidated the middle order but only Mike Shelton’s 22 ensured Cleethorpes took at least one batting point as they were bowled out for just 121 in 33.1 overs. Hartsholme made light work of the target in reply losing just one wicket in chasing down the total in 21.2 overs. Ian Mansfield was again the pick of the bowlers with 1/6 in 5 overs as the 4ths remain rooted in the relegation zone of the Second Division.
Neither Cleethorpes North or East Lindsey sides were in action last weekend.
Cleethorpes aim to get back to winning ways when they entertain Doncaster at Chichester Road this Saturday. The game will begin at the earlier time of 11am with players eager to take in England’s World Cup encounter later in the evening. Cleethorpes 2nds travel to Messingham in a clash of the top two in the Premier league. Cleethorpes 3rds make their first visit to Louth 2nds London Road ground this Saturday chasing an opening win of their campaign. Cleethorpes 4th X1 face Owmby at the Stamford Club (1.30pm Start). Sunday sees the North Lindsey X1 travel to Caistor, led by the returning Neil Wheeler.