GRIMSBY'S SECRET WEAPON

By Ann Boulton

Not only do the leaders in the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League play the second placed side this weekend but third plays fourth, fifth plays sixth, eight plays ninth and 11th plays 12th. Only Skegness (7th) who play Woodhall Spa (10th) spoil the pattern in what could be a table-altering programme.
Bracebridge Heath will be aiming to extend their lead at the top when they entertain second placed Market Deeping, but the game to watch could be the next pair down – Grimsby and Boston who meet at Augusta Street.
Boston have pulled off some good results this season but will be up against a solid and determined Grimsby side for whom South African spinner George Linde is proving to be a secret weapon. Linde currently leads the wickets table with 27 while on the batting front Jim Morgan has passed the 300 mark.
Next in line in the table are Lindum and Louth who meet at St Giles Avenue, both smarting from defeats last weekend and keen to hold on to their place in the top half of the table. Nuwan Shiroman is a definite asset to Louth, hitting 390 runs and taking 12 wickets so far this season but Matthew Bursa is proving a good signing for Lindum and if batsmen Pierce Morley-Barnes and Alex Hornsby are available, this could prove an interesting game.
Topping the runs table with 395 is Conrad Louth from current champions Bourne who nevertheless are only eighth in the table and this week play at Hartsholme who are just one point behind their opponents and only three away from sixth place.
At the bottom of the table, Nettleham are now the only team without a victory this season but will be looking to alter that when they entertain Sleaford who are one above them. But with Oliver Burford back in the side and a win under their belts, Sleaford will be going all out for victory and an upward move.
Skegness go into their game against Woodhall Spa at Richmond Road knowing that a win could put them well up in the top half of the table while their opponents will be keeping an eye on what is happening at Mulsanne Park and fighting for the points that will keep them out of the bottom two.
The semi-finals and final of the Winkworth Cup, which were washed out on the recent Bank Holiday, will now take place at Sleaford CC on Sunday, July 3rd.

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