SKEG HOSTS AREA FINALS

From Ann Boulton

A prestigious ECB competition comes to Skegness Cricket Club on Sunday, August 22 after Lincolnshire was invited to host the Area Finals of the ECB League Twenty/20 competition.
On a day that is being planned as a showpiece for cricket as well as a family day out, Bracebridge Heath, winners of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League competition, the Winkworth Cup, will represent the home county.
They will take on Wath CC from the South Yorkshire League and Northowram Fields from the Central Yorkshire League for a place in the ECB Regional Finals on September 5.
Here, their opponents will be the winner of the North East area final which involves York, South Northumberland and Richmondshire. Finals day is at the Rose Bowl on September 23.
The Wath side has already been announced and includes former West Indian test player Lesroy Weekes, now 39 but described by the club’s chairman of selectors Mark Barlow as “a hard hitting batsman and high class opening bowler.
“Lesroy brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and age to the side,” he said. “The Big Man can still change games in the blink of an eye, albeit sometimes a rather long blink nowadays!”
Wath expect to bring around 40 spectators by coach and several car-loads of supporters and Skegenss CC are currently finalising plans for a marquee for officials of all three clubs. In addition, the club is laying a bouncy castle and ice cream and burger stalls, a Kwik Cricket demonstration by junior players and other entertainment.
The bar at the Richmond Road will also be open and food will be available for visitors, while a PA system will keep spectators in touch with proceedings.
A raffle is planned for which the Lincolnshire Cricket Board has secured an amazing first prize - a day/evening with the Red Arrows and members of the Board. Second prize is £100 and third £50.
The first match begins at 10.30am with the losers staying on for the second match at 1.30pm and the final game will begin at 4.30pm.
Admission is free for pedestrians and £5 for cars, which includes a programme.