MEGGIES BACK ON TRACK

Eddie Carlton drives for four at Hull.

PICTURES AND REPORT BY GRAHAM HACKNEY

Cleethorpes 1st X1 comfortably beat Hull at Chanterlands Avenue by 8 wickets last Saturday to record their first Yorkshire League win in four games. Set a lowly 122 to win the Meggies reached their target in only 20.3 overs for the loss of just two wickets. After winning the toss, Skipper James Osmond surprisingly opted to field first in the baking conditions. Hull’s openers added 40 for the first wicket at a pedestrian pace before Andy Ellis claimed the first of his five wickets having Andy Kirby, brother of Cleethorpes’ Bill, trapped lbw. Hull skipper Dave Barrick soon followed to a Harry Clewett run out and from here the innings went into freefall as Hull collapsed from 102-3 to 121 all out in the 45th over. Ellis was the pick of the Cleethorpes attack which used only three bowlers. He recorded figures of 5/56 in a marathon 22.5 over spell. Alex Osmond (3/34) picked up three late wickets in a 14 over spell with brother James (0/23) wicketless in his eight overs. Cleethorpes openers, Bill Kirby and Eddie Carlton, wasted little time in adding 71 for the first wicket taking just 11.5 overs. With a lightning outfield Hull’s bowlers were put to the sword as both consistently found the boundary. Hull’s caused was not helped by some indiscipline as their bowlers gave away a number of extras through wides and no balls. Kirby was first to depart lbw having hit 24 in 39 balls with five boundaries. In form New Zealander Peter Fulton ensured a quick finish with a quickfire 26 off just 16 balls with four 4s and a towering six into the car park but fell with victory in sight as Barrick got a delivery to bounce and turn and the edge was taken at first slip. Eddie Carlton finished an encouraging 48 not out (60 balls) as Alex Osmond (9no) hit the winning boundary to give Cleethorpes maximum points and put them into striking distance of the other mid-table sides.

Neil Wheeler stumps Hull batsman Jimmy Philips to give Andy Ellis a five-wicket haul at Hull.


For the second time in three weeks, Cleethorpes 2nds went down to defeat to Messingham in another close-fought encounter. Messingham racked up 244-8 in their 50 overs in perfect batting conditions. New Zealand kepper Cameron Fletcher continued his one-man crusade against the Meggies adding another 63 not out to two undefeated centuries already this season. Indy Hayre was the pick of the Cleethorpes attack with 2/39 in 11 overs while Jack Harrison returned and took some late punishment with figures of 2/62 off 12 overs. Rob Brice and Rich Griffin also added wickets. In reply Cleethorpes were bowled out for 210 in the 48 th over after looking in a promising position on a number of occasions. James Windeatt hit an excellent 40 in his first appearance for the second team while Indy Hayre(36) and Paul Sunley (37) made good contributions before getting themselves out as Messingham applied pressure. Rich Griffin (28) and Pat Hughes (23) also chipped in but the defeat by 34 runs leaves the Meggies in third place in the Premier league some 42 points adrift of Messingham.
Paul Hewstone’s 3rd X1 were unable to repeat their 7-run win at Louth 2nds of a fortnight ago as they fell to a heavy 7-wicket defeat. Batting first they made 217-7 in their 45 overs with all the batsmen getting a start but nobody going on to pass fifty. Young Ryan Harrison again top-score with a diligent 45 with Elliott Drinkell hitting 36 and Joe Farmery adding 31. Gary Cowlam (24) and Ben Marris (21) also helped Cleethorpes gain maximum batting points for the first time this season. Louth’s openers got off to a good start adding 60 for the first wicket before Jeff Toff made the first breakthrough. Another 63 were added for the second wicket and 73 for the third as Louth’s batmen made light work of their target. They reached their victory total in the 44th over for the loss of just three wickets. Todd remained to top bowler for the Meggies with 2/42 in 13 with only Lewis Markham able to add a further wicket with 1/47 in seven expensive overs. The defeat leaves Clee 2nds second bottom of the First Division table but with games in hand on the teams above.
Kris Richardson returned to lead Cleethorpes 4ths as they defeated bottom side Outcasts 2nds at the Stamford Club last Saturday. Despite late call offs that left the side with only 10 players they mustered 178-9 in their 42.1 innings. Veteran Bob Leafe (53) hit his first half century of the campaign with John Mansfield weighing in with 32 and Will Abe contributing 29. Reece Holberry hit a late 16 that was to prove vital in the final outcome. In reply Outcasts collapsed from 66-1 to 75-5 before a lower order recovery looked like snatching the game from Cleethorpes. However Mike Shelton held his nerve to claim the final two Outcasts wickets as they were finally bowled out for 158 in the 43rd over as Cleethorpes ran out winners by 20 runs. Shelton produced an outstanding spell of 4/36 in 12.3 overs backed up by Ian Mansfield’s impressive 2/12 in 7 overs after his return to the side. All Cleethorpes’ other bowlers , John Mansfield, Richard Woodward, Sam Would and Holberry, added wickets as the side moves into mid-table on the back of this 20 point win.
All Cleethorpes’ Sunday fixtures were cancelled to accommodate a certain football match so the 2nds game at Appleby-Frodingham has been re-arranged for 25/07.
This weekend Cleethorpes 1st X1 make their longest trip of the campaign to Harrogate. Cleethorpes 2nds are without a fixture while the 3rd X1 entertain Scothern at Chichester Road (1.30pm Start) this Saturday. Clee 4ths travel to Alkborough 2nds. Cleethorpes North Lindsey X1 travel to Appleby-Frodingham on Sunday.
Attention at Chichester Road focuses on Lincolnshire this weekend when they entertain Cumberland in a three-day Minor Counties fixture beginning Sunday at 11am. The game may feature Cleethorpes’ own Alex Osmond and Bill Kirby.

Peter Fulton smashes a six at Hull.