WAITING IN THE WINGS

By Ann Boulton

The foot of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League table could provide the weekend’s tightest game as bottom team Sleaford entertain Hartsholme, who are two places above them.
Both sides will be without their captains, Oliver Burford recovering from appendicitis and Hartsholme skipper Nathan Poundall getting mobile again after a serious knee injury. Despite their lowly position, Sleaford have been involved in some close games while their opponents are showing a real improvement on last season.
Sleaford are 16 points behind Hartsholme but only seven adrift of Nettleham who are away at Grimsby where George Linde will be waiting with the aim of adding to the 15 wickets he has already taken this season. Dan Wright is coming good with the bat for Nettleham but the visitors lack a penetrating attack and Grimsby’s strong batting line-up could take full advantage.
Skegness face an even more prolific bowler when they visit Bourne, for whom Fahad Masood already has 21 wickets in the bag. Despite some new faces in the team, the season has yet to take off for the seasiders, though Peter Houghton’s century last week bodes well for future games.
Lindum, deposed from the top spot last weekend, are away at Boston who will be looking to defend their mid-table position while new leaders Bracebridge Heath visit Woodhall Spa, another team not yet firing on all cylinders. However, a win for Woodhall would push them into the top half of the table while should Bracebridge slip up, Market Deeping are waiting in the wings to take over at the top.
Deeping, who are just one point behind in second place, visit Louth who lie sixth but are only seven points off fourth place.
Games start at 12.30.