DON'T BETT AGAINST RASEN

Report (and headline) by Andy Richley, Market Rasen 2nds

Paul Bett’s 5 for 19 in the veteran’s Lincs League debut saw Market Rasen 2nds to a convincing 125 win at Brigg on Saturday in Lincs League 4. Combined with Scunthorpe 3rds unexpected 14-run victory at South Kelsey the result leaves the bottom side with it all to do to avoid re-election and further strengthens Rasen’s mid-table position.
A young Rasen side made the short trip north on the back of three wins from four to visit a Brigg side who, thanks to their tough first-half schedule, have been languishing in the lower reaches of the table most of the season. Initial impressions for the visitors were mixed as they were confronted by a wicket that was hard to distinguish from the outfield, however, this was balanced by the fact that Brigg were clearly missing a number of first team regulars, including ‘skipper Dylan Hildreth.
Brigg won the toss and lost little time in choosing to bowl on a wicket that promised to offer plenty of challenges to the batsmen. Paul Ellis and R. Throp opened for Brigg with Ellis immediately asking plenty of questions of the batsmen as they repeatedly played and missed outside off stump. Throp found it harder to find a consistent line and length and was duly punished, particularly by Luke Richards (44) who was severe on anything dropped short, pulling the ball with aplomb and unleashing a wide range of shots. With Shaun French grinding out a gritty 22 from 65 balls at the other end, Rasen’s opening pair put on 60 in 19 overs before Ellis finally got some reward for his tireless efforts, having French caught behind.
With the pitch doing plenty it was vital that Rasen consolidated their position and, thanks to a fine knock from skipper Andy Richley, they did just that. Joining Richards the pair set about bedding in before the young opener’s ambition got the better of him and he was bowled by a fine yorker from Ollie Kilgallon. Kilgallon continued his excellent spell, proving to be the only Brigg bowler, other than Ellis, capable of exerting any kind of control over the Rasen lineup with Rob Chamberlin his next victim, bowled by one that pitched on middle and took off.
Whilst wickets fell at the other end, Richley settled in and started to take advantage of the short boundary on the Brigg Town side of the ground, with the change bowling taking some punishment once Ellis and Kilgallon has been seen off. Stands of 40 with Tom Bradford (16) and then Rory Jackson saw Rasen’s skipper post his second half-century in three weeks as he accumulated 74 before finally succumbing to a ‘popping’ ball with a couple of overs left. Jackson (15*) shepherded the tail past 200 as Rasen posted 205 for 7 from their 45 overs, an imposing total considering the assistance on offer for the bowlers.
Gary Smith and Dave Kilgallon opened Brigg’s reply in enterprising style, climbing into anything short from Rasen’s opening bowlers, of which there was plenty, to rocket to 54 in nine overs before Richley had Smith taken at first slip from a ball that popped and took the batsman’s glove. Tom Bradford’s casual one-handed catch sending the opener on his way for 24. D. Kilgallon continued to rage against the dying of the light with a fine 32, but was the next batsman to have the pitch get the better of him as Richley’s next over saw a catch claimed at silly mid-on, again from a ball that bounced more than expected, leaving Brigg 61 for 2.
At this point Paul Bett turned his Lincs League debut into an exhibition, claiming 5 for 19 in 8 overs, including two victims caught and bowled. Throp could only watch from the other end as Bett cut through Brigg’s lineup in a manner that bodes well for the remainder of Rasen’s season, until he became Bett’s fourth victim. Despite some fine shots from R. Eagles at the end, Brigg were bundled out for 80 in the 20th over as Rasen earned their third successive win. The Rase Park outfit have left it a little late to secure anything other the mid-table anonymity this season, but this weekend’s forthcoming fixture with Caistor 3rds will be a good barometer of how far the young side have really improved over the last couple of months and whether or not they might have more to look forward to in 2011.