HUGE WIN FOR MEGGIES

Callum Robinson on his way to 33 at Haxey on Sunday.


REPORT AND PICTURES FROM GRAHAM HACKNEY

Cleethorpes 1st X1 completed a massive 167-run win Sheffield United at Chichester Road in the Yorkshire ECB Premier league last Saturday. They were surprisingly asked to bat first against a young Sheffield attack that have struggled so far this season and sit two places below Cleethorpes second from bottom. Eddie Carlton and Bill Kirby got Cleethorpes off to a bright start before Carlton departed for 18. For once Cleethorpes were not over reliant on Kiwi professional Peter Fulton who went for 11 to leave Meggies 39-2. Kirby and Yaniv Judah (20) added a patient 68 for the third wicket before Kirby, having passed his fifth half-century of the season was fourth man out for 73 having added a further 72 with the resurgent Alex Osmond. Osmond and stand-in skipper Charlie Tomlinson then proceeded to blitz the Sheffield attack as both went to quick fifties. Osmond’s 56 came in even time and included 7 boundaries while Tomlinson’s first half century of the season took just 32 balls and included three sixes and three fours. With James Windeatt (28 not out in 16 balls) adding a fitting finale to the innings, Cleethorpes closed out on 285-6 in their 55 overs. Sheffield were never in the hunt in their reply as Tomlinson opted to open with Osmond’s leg spin to compliment Andy Ellis’ seamers. They soon had Sheffield in real trouble and were bowled out for just 118 in 32.1 overs. Ellis, backed up by some good fielding, helped himself to his fourth five-wicket haul of the campaign to finish with 5/56 in 15 overs. Osmond was unfortunate to only pick up 4/35 in 16 overs as he continually bamboozalled the Sheffield batsmen. Jack Harrison nipped in with the final wicket to complete a comprehensive win that sees Cleethorpes move up a place in the league with a number of winnable games coming up.
Cleethorpes 2nds' descent down the Premier league continues after they lost by five wickets at a strong Appleby-Frodingham 2nds on Sunday. Frodingham, fielding a team with a great deal of first team experience, skittled Paul Sunley’s side out for 162 in the 44th over. Rob Griffin top scored with 35 with Sunley (28), Gary Cowlam (25no) and Nathan Judah (19) the main contributors. Despite Judah bowling a sparkling opening spell that brought three wickets, Frodingham’s sixth wicket pair added an unbeaten 77 to see their side home in the 34th over. Judah finished with figures of 3/34 in eight hostile overs with Indy Hayre (1/41 in 8 overs) and Rob Brice (1/15 in 3 overs) the other wicket-takers.
Cleethorpes 3rd X1 continue to struggle in the relegation places in the First Division. Saturday saw them go down to a heavy nine wicket defeat at Scothern after posting just 87 in 27.3 overs after batting first. Scothern took just 19.3 overs to knock off their target for the loss of only one wicket. Callum Robinson (20) and Nathan Judah (15) had been the only men to reach double figures in a poor batting display by Paul Hewstone’s side. Lewis Markham picked up the solitary Scothren wicket to fall with 1/20 in 6.3 overs in a bad day at the office for the thirds.
The following day they redeemed themselves with a fine three-wicket win at Haxey 2nds to the holders a place in the Bob Welton Cup final in August. An excellent bowling display saw them restrict Haxey to 154-9 in their 45 overs. Mike Shelton was the pick of the bowlers with a brilliant opening burst of 2/23 in his nine over spell. Fred Lumby also picked up superb figures of 3/26 in nine while Paul Ridley’s 2/21 in nine kept the middle order in check. Lewis Markham (1/29 in 9) and Matty Owen (1/43 in 9) were Cleethorpes other wicket takers. They made hard work of reaching their target though with Skipper Paul Hewstone (37) playing a typical dogged innings after Callum Robinson’s 33 had got Cleethorpes off to a flying start. Mike Shelton (13no) and Fred Lumby (14) ensured Cleethorpes made it home with some four overs to spare.
Another poor batting performance saw Kris Richardson’s 4th X1 slip to a nine wicket defeat to Market Rasen in the Second Division at the Stamford Club last Saturday. Only John Mansfield with a battling 33, Abdul Jamli (19) and Riann Swanepoel (17) ensured Cleethorpes edged up to their final total of just 93 in 33 overs. Rasen wasted little time in reaching their target taking just 15 overs. Jamli being the only successful bowlers as they face up to the real possibility of relegation to the third division.

Eddie Carlton led Cleethorpes' North Lindsey X1 to a 36-run home victory over Gainsborough side Marshalls on Sunday. The NLL X1 remain top of the first division after posting 181 all out in their 40. Carlton led the way with 42 at the top of the order with Matt Shelton (37), Harry Clewett (23) Alex Osmond (20) and Nathan Would (20) all chipping in for Meggies against some brilliant spin from Nadeem Ahmed from Marshalls. A great opening burst of 4/23 in six overs from John Mansfield immediately had Marshalls on the back foot as they slipped to 145 all out in 26 overs. Clewett picked up 3/31 in five overs while Adam Osmond, Nathan Would and Carlton also added a wicket apiece.
This weekend, Cleethorpes 1st X1 face a tough trip to second in the table Barnsley on Saturday. Cleethorpes 2nd X1 entertain Caistor in the Lincs League premier division at Chichester Road (1pm start) while the 3rd X1 have a must-win game at near-neighbours Holton le Clay. Cleethorpes 4ths are without a fixture this week.
Sunday’s only fixture sees the Academy X1 take on Grimoldby at Chichester Road (2pm start).

This ball from Alex Osmond appears to have passed right through the stumps!