OUTCASTS LOSE OUT TO LOUTH 2NDS

BY GLEN SANDS

Outcasts went into their Lincs League Div One game against Louth 2nds yesterday knowing that if they could pick up their first win of the seasonthey would give themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation from Division One of the Lincolnshire League but as has so often been the case they got themselves into a good position only to let things slip once more.
Louth won the toss and invited their hosts to bat first in a game kindly sponsored by Tobi Potato Merchants Ltd and it was'nt long before the Isle side were one down when Mark Coulman was caught by Ed Brindle off the bowling of 14 year old Niall Illingworth for eight. Scott Buttrick appeared determined to bolster the innings whilst wicket keeper batsman Richard Wroot joined him at the crease but his recent poor form continued when he was trapped LBW for just five by Zain Siddiqui leaving Outcasts on 43 for 2. Andy Lawson suffered the same dismissal having scored just one and when Andy Torr was fourth man out , bowled by Ed Brindle for just a single they were struggling on 54 for 4. Home skipper Russell Fletcher and opener Buttrick then put on 41 for the fifth wicket before the experienced Brindle had Fletcher caught by Jake Sanders for 16 which saw Tom Sharpe stride to  the middle to partner Buttrick who by now was nearing a well deserved half century. He duelly brought up his fifty as he and Sharpe took the total to 123 then Buttrick was bowled by Tom Ryder for a well constructed 58. Graham Clark and the free hitiing Sharpe then pressed the accelerator as runs began to flow until Clark had the misfortune to be run out for 16 when backing up , Sharpe's straight drive being deflected onto the stumps by Siddiqui. The big hitting left hander went on to make exactly 50 not out as the innings closed on 170 for 7 with Ed Brindle taking 2 for 37 and Zain Siddiqui 2 for 54 for the visitors.
Outcasts made a splendid start when picking up two quick wickets as Louth slipped to 12 for 2 in their reply. Mark Duell was bowled by Sharpe without troubling the scorers and the same applied to Henry Tye who was well caught by wicket keeper Richard Wroot off Graeme Fletcher. Zain Siddiqui then joined Steve Gale to steady the ship and they put on 68 valuable runs with some excellent shots coupled with some stuutering Outcasts fielding. Gale had reached 43 when he became Wroot's second victim , this time off the bowling of brother Jonathan but just when they appeared set to get themselves right back in contention Outcasts once again showed frailties in the field. Two or three difficult chances were dropped whih would have made such a difference had they been taken , then Scott Buttrick did catch Siddiqui for 38 off the bowling of Graham Clark with the total on 112. Youngsters Jake Sanders and Jamie Johnson then took the game away from the Isle side and although Sanders was eventually caught behind for 27 Johnson ( 29 not out ) and Mike Searle ( 10 not out ) saw Louth home in the 40th over ensuring their safety for the season and inflictinyet another defeat on the still to win Outcasts side. Tom Sharpe was the pick of the bowlers taking 2 for 37 from 12 overs although no one can deny how determined the rest of the bowlers were despite the final result.
Outcasts 2nds travelled to Brockleby Park to take on Cleethorpes 4ths in Division Three , setting a target of 158 for 8 thanks to James Glew and Mark Fletcher who both scored into the 30's and the Meggies appeared set for a rare victory when standing at 100 for 2 in reply until King of Spin Anthony Fitzgerald came on to change the game with an outstanding spell of 12 overs that saw him take an exceptional 5 for 27 , earning the Priorymen a victory by 13 runs.
Saturday will see both Outcasts teams playing their final games of the 2012 campaign as the first eleven play Bracebridge Heath 2nds whilst the seconds have a mouth watering derby match against promotion chasing neighbours Haxey 2nds.