LINCOLN DERBY TAKES TOP BILLING

By Ann Boulton

Having moved back in the top half of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League table, Lindum face a real challenge to keep their place as they take on leaders Bracebridge Heath at Cross O’Cliff Court tomorrow (Sat).
A strong batting line-up and the addition of Ashley Schultz to the attack have made Paul Cook’s side formidable opponents and Cook himself is piling on the runs and is one of five players topping 400.
Leading the list with 470 runs is Conrad Louth of Bourne who are away at Woodhall Spa, currently 11th and struggling to find batting form. Bourne lie eighth but are just one point behind Sleaford who host second placed Boston.
Sleaford appear to have recovered from a disastrous start to the season and could make life difficult for the Mayflower outfit as they fight to stay on touch with top place.
Hartsholme’s Warren Nel, who is just behind Louth with 467 runs, returns to his former club Nettleham who are still without a win at the bottom of the table while Hartsholme are enjoying a better second year in the top flight.
Skegness, whose season has so far not fulfilled its early promise, are the visitors to third placed Market Deeping, for whom Tom Andrews is having a very good year with bat and ball and Chris Jones has strengthened the top of the batting order.
But the match of the day should be at London Road where Louth in fifth take on Grimsby who are just eight points ahead. Spinner George Linde, already with 36 wickets, could find the Louth pitch to his liking but the visitors will need to target Nuwan Shiroman if they are to keep Louth to a low total – the Sri Lankan has notched up 463 runs from nine innings.
On Sunday, a second attempt will be made to play the semi-finals and final of the Winkworth Cup after the May bank holiday matches were washed out.
Sleaford is the venue and first up are Bracebridge Heath and Grimsby at 10.30am, followed by Lindum and Boston at 1.30pm with the final at 4pm.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES
Bracebridge Heath v Lindum
Louth v Grimsby
Market Deeping v Skegness
Nettleham v Hartsholme
Sleaford v Boston
Woodhall Spa v Bourne