BAD LUCK FOR MEGGIES TO STOMACH

Harry Clewett's dogged 25 not out kept Barnsley at bay.

PICTURE AND REPORT BY GRAHAM HACKNEY

Cleethorpes 1st slipped to a second successive Yorkshire league defeat at Barnsley on Saturday, losing by 43 runs. They were dealt a blow even before travelling with newly arrived Sri Lankan professional Omesh Wijisarewardana going with an overnight stomach bug that ruled him out. Nathan Judah was recalled at short notice and Barnsley promptly opted to bat after Skipper James Osmond lost the toss. Andy Ellis immediately struck a blow for Cleethorpes capturing opener Wilson lbw with just four runs on the board. Nuttall seemed destined to follow in Ellis’ next over but the batsman was given the benefit by the umpire. Nuttall and Ex-Yorkshire batsmen Simon Widdup then went on to compile a fluent stand of 72 for the second wicket as the early threat of Ellis and Jack Harrison was seen off. Alex Osmond was introduced in the twelfth over and despite being hit for two early boundaries made the breakthrough for Cleethorpes trapping Widdup in front as the opener attempted to sweep. With brother James tying one end up, Cleethorpes were finally able to exert some pressure as the overs began to tick away. Nuttall passed fifty in 72 balls but was becoming becalmed and the hundred was brought up in the 28th over. Alex Osmond trapped Barnsley skipper Booth in front in identical fashion to Widdup and in his next over saw brother James dive forward to take a great catch to send back Rafiq. At 114-4 Cleethorpes were now right back in the game. James Osmond had bowled a great containing spell of 0/23 in 11 overs when they were dealt what turned out to be a serious blow. Wilkinson hit a well-timed drive in the air and James, attempting to take another diving catch came up grasping his hand. After being lead from the field and off to hospital, Cleethorpes worst fears were later to be confirmed as the Skipper had broken a finger. Clewett took over and removed Nuttall, who had moved slowly to 73, with only his fourth delivery as he played back to a ball that kept low and was again adjudged lbw. From here the innings limped along with Osmond and Clewett taking a stranglehold of the Barnsley batting. Osmond claimed his fourth lbw and had Bullingham stumped to bring up his first five wicket haul of the season. Clewett trapped Coomber in front for Cleethorpes’ sixth lbw decision as Barnsley closed on 191-8 after their 55 overs. Osmond finished with 5/60 in a marathon 21-over spell with Clewett (2/24 in 8 overs) keeping things tight at the other end. A target of 192 would prove a tough ask with a batsman down and the pitch playing lower and lower.
Bill Kirby and Rory Osmond once again got Cleethorpes off to a promising start. With both players taking every opportunity to get onto the front foot they slowly began to see off the threat of the Barnsley seamers. The fifty stand was brought up in the 18th over with both players growing in confidence. It took the introduction of Barnsley spinner Wilkinson to break the stand as Kirby, having reached a solid 30 in 69 balls, played loosely off his legs to be snapped up at short midwicket. Osmond (24) followed four overs later playing back to Wilkinson and being wrapped on the pads. With Yaniv Judah (9) and Charlie Tomlinson (6) falling lbw in quick succession Cleethorpes had slipped to 77-4 as the game ebbed away. Alex Osmond and James Windeatt briefly looked to dominate as the pair adopted a more positive approach. Osmond finally got after Wilkinson hitting him for consecutive boundaries while Windeatt struck Ivill for a four and a six as the pair added a quick-fire 27. Any hope was soon erased as both departed in successive overs. Osmond (16), attempting to keep out a Wilkinson delivery that again kept low could only scoop the ball to midwicket while Windeatt’s ugly sweep at Widdup saw him bowled for 16. Jack Harrison and Harry Clewett showed some fight adding 22 for the seventh wicket before Widdup accounted for Harrison (10) and Nathan Judah two balls later to take the number of lbw decisions on the day to 11. With ten overs to survive, Clewett and Andy Ellis dug in as they had done a week earlier at Rotherham. With James Osmond prepared to come out to bat if needed, the pair showed admirable defence to keep the Barnsley spinners at bay. With one point secure they saw off the threat as the innings closed out at 148-8. Clewett innings of 25 had taken 56 balls with Ellis’ 8 lasting 28 deliveries.

James Windeatt bowled at Barnsley.