LOUTH MAN LEADING RUN-MAKER

By Ann Boulton

With five games played, six Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League players have already passed 250 runs for the season.
Topping the list with 327 is Nuwan Shiroman of Louth whose team heads for Hartsholme this weekend keen to build on last weekend’s high score and move further up the table. Louth lie fifth, only one point behind Bourne, but if Warren Nel is on form, Hartsholme will present strong opposition.
Bourne take on Market Deeping who are second in the table having posted some of the highest scores of the season and have the advantage of their good home ground. However, despite the lack of help that bowlers are receiving from the dry pitches, Fahad Masood has 22 wickets to his name and could prove a handful for the home side.
George Linde has only three wickets less than Masood and will be taking his lethal brand of spin to Skegness where Grimsby are defending their third place in the table. Skegness showed a big improvement last week and this could be one of the games to watch but the seasiders’ bowlers will need to be on top form against a strong batting line-up.
Leaders Bracebridge Heath are at home to Sleaford, whose lowly 11th place is perhaps an unfair reflection of their early performances and some close finishes. But Paul Cook has assembled a strong unit at Cross O’Cliff Court with a good mix of youth and experience and will be looking to build on recent successes at Sleaford’s expense.
Lindum will attempt to halt their slide down the table at home to Woodhall Spa who are still awaiting the arrival of Fawad Alam and are in need of a boost to their bowling attack. And Boston, who are just three points behind Lindum and six behind Louth travel to Nettleham looking for a victory that could take them into the top half of the table.
Monday brings the semi-finals and final of the Winkworth 20/20 Cup which takes place at Sleaford with the first match beginning at 10.30am. This will feature current trophy holders Bracebridge, who have won the cup four times and Grimsby who are two-times winners, the last time in 2008.
The only semi-finalists not to have held the trophy are Boston who take on Lindum, winners in 2005, at 1.30pm for a place in the final which is due to begin at 4.30pm. Spectators are welcome at London Road where the pavilion will be open all day and there is ample parking around the ground.

Saturday Fixtures
12.30 start
Bracebridge Heath v Sleaford
Hartsholme v Louth
Lindum v Woodhall Spa
Market Deeping v Bourne
Nettleham v Boston
Skegness v Grimsby

Monday May 30
Sleaford CC
Winkworth Cup
10.30am Bracebridge Heath v Grimsby
1.30pm Boston v Lindum
4.30pm Final