BATTERED BY BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS

Market Rasen 2nds v Brigg Town, Lincs League div four

By Andy Richley, Market Rasen CC

Market Rasen 2nds have, so far, found their second season in Lincs League 4 a lot less traumatic than their first time around. With their young players benefiting from the experiences of last year and a bigger pool of players to choose from, they’d put together a fine run of form to win five of seven before last weekend’s encounter with Brigg Town.
2009 saw Brigg Town condemn Rasen to ninth place and re-election at the Lincs League AGM with some stunning late wins. 2010 has been a rather different tale for both sides, but Brigg visited Rase Park knowing that if they were to emulate Houdini once more, then defeat in the lee of the Wolds was not an option. Unfortunately for the visitors they ran up against a Rasen batting line-up in fine fettle and whilst their bowlers were able to make the batsmen work for their runs, particularly early on, the fielders were unable to snaffle the chances created that could have put the young side under pressure.
Jack Richards won the toss for Brigg and opted to put Rasen into bat. Dylan Hildreth did his best to make the decision work for the visitors, sending down an honest opening spell that was to last until drinks. For Rasen, Luke Richards dug himself in, whilst George Fussey (30) continued in his recent vein of form, looking to attack from the off and unfurling some rasping cover drives and cuts. Unfortunately for Fussey, his innings had, what followers of the side may recognise as, a familiar end. He greeted Phil Dewfall’s arrival with disdain, effortlessly lofting the left-armer’s first ball to the cover boundary. However, not content with the one boundary from the over, Fussey tried to smear a better delivery through cover and, with the ball sticking on the damp wicket, found his innings cut short by a fine catch by Danny Minshall low to his right at mid-off.
Andy Richley and Luke Richards (20) set about digging in and were content to collect the singles and wait for the bad ball. Richards’ vigil was ended by a fine over from Hildreth, who pinned the young opener in front of his stumps, only for a faint inside-edge to deny him. However, the all-rounder wasn’t to be denied, with the next ball pitched up and leaving the right-hander, presenting Matt Bell with a regulation chance that he snaffled.
Rob Chamberlin helped his ‘skipper keep the Rasen wagon rolling, soon getting into his stride and taking advantage of anything short, punching the ball off the back foot straight and through cover with comfort. The introduction of Rick Lancaster’s tempting away-swing was the only thing to upset Rasen’s middle-order rhythm as Richley’s stolid vigil was ended as he limply offered a catch to cover, having played far too early at a wide half-volley. Lancaster then struck again, inducing Chris Higgins to self-destruct and end a promising cameo by hitting the ball straight to square-leg.
At 119 for 4 after 30 overs Brigg were at the races and Rasen were simply looking to get a competitive total on the board. However, Chamberlin was now well and truly in and found two willing accomplices in Richard Limmer and Aaron Wells. Dropped down the order after a number of unconsummated starts when opening, Limmer played a perfect foil to Chamberlin, upping the tempo with some fine running between the wickets and some lusty blows. In particular a straight six that sailed into the top of the sight-screen at the River Rase end of the ground off Dylan Hildreth. With Chamberlin punishing anything remotely loose the pair added 73 for the fifth wicket in less than ten overs and it was a surprise when Limmer fell to the brothers Dewgall for 36.
Aaron Wells strode to the crease and picked up the cudgel with aplomb, blasting 33 out of a partnership of 41 with Chamberlin to take Rasen past 200 and set them on their way to an imposing total. With the demise of Wells, Chamberlin came into his own, shepherding the tail through the closing overs and carting the ball to all-corners, to finish on 85 not out and leave Rasen on 279 for 9.
Whilst Brigg grassed a number of chances in the field, their spirit and general bonhomie under Jack Richards’ unflaggingly enthusiastic leadership could not be criticised. Minshall, Lancaster and Dixon all claimed two wickets apiece and Phil Dewgall and Hildreth were unlucky to only end with one victim each.
Brigg’s reply began steadily, with the experienced pair of Gary Smith and Jack Richards putting on 50 for the first wicket in relatively untroubled fashion. Rasen’s opening bowlers struggled at first to make best use of the conditions, with the amount of swing on offer they perhaps tried too hard to find the perfect ball. Richard Limmer mastered the conditions first and, having consistently caused problems with his late movement of the ball through the air he finally garnered his reward, pinning Gary Smith LBW for a determined 30.
As with the game at Brigg Rec, once Rasen had broken through there was little resistance from the visitors. Limmer removed Jack Richards (23) and Matt Bell, both caught behind by Fussey to help him to figures of 3 for 23 from 12 overs. With Limmer causing all sorts of problems at the river end, James Greenwood got his first bowl in League cricket from the Gallamore Lane end and twice found himself on a hat-trick in the space of six overs. The young seamer pitched the ball up and let the seam and conditions do the work, claiming 4 for 11 from his six overs whilst Brigg capitulated. Luke Richards rolled up the tail to snaffle 3 for 9, with all three caught by that man Limmer, to complete an emphatic 185 run win for the home side as Brigg Town were bowled out for 90.