WEEKEND LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER PREVIEW BY ANN BOULTON

READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

May 4

Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League newcomers Spalding face a challenging game when they host Bracebridge Heath, one of only two teams going into the third week of the season with maximum points.

Spalding, still finding their feet at the higher level, will be happier with last week’s performance which saw them pick up five points and will be working hard to get a first victory under their belts.

Skegness share top of the table with Bracebridge but will be up against Prasanna Jayawardene and could also encounter Northants contracted player Lee Daggett when they entertain Woodhall Spa.  Both sides have a strong batting line-up and this fixture could produce a high scoring game.

Louth have  set off strongly with a draw and a win and will look to build on that, as will Grimsby who are just behind their nearest neighbours in the table. Louth exchange one London Road for another when they visit Sleaford who recovered from their poor opening match to take 17 points last week.

Grimsby are at home to Hartsholme who have made a disappointing start to the season but could pick up with the arrival of their overseas player ???

Market Deeping make their longest journey of the season to play Haxey for whom Graeme Attenborough will be looking to go one better than last week’s 99. 

Fixtures– 12.30 start

Bourne v Lindum

Grimsby v Hartsholme

Haxey v Market Deeping

Skegness v Woodhall Spa

Sleaford v Louth

Spalding v Bracebridge Heath

RICHARD GENGE OF HARTSHOLME IN LINCS ECB LEAGUE ACTION

Richard Genge in action for Hartsholme in their defeat at the hands of Skegness. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST. www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography

SOUTH LINCS & BORDER UPDATE FROM ANN BOULTON

Boston’s quest for an immediate return to ECB Premier League cricket got off to a good start with a nine wicket win over Woodhall Spa 2^nd who were bowled out for 99, Tom Baxter claiming four victims.  Rowan Evans then hit an unbeaten 62 to take Boston to victory.

Last year’s title challengers Billingborough also triumphed with an emphatic victory over Stamford Town.  Dave Newman made 65 of the village side’s 207 for five before Roy Tilley’s eight overs brought him five wickets for 12 runs as Stamford were all out for 84.

Newly promoted Welby got a win under their belts, beating Sleaford 2^nd by 64 runs while Daniel Turner’s 59 put Belton Park on track for a 93 run win over Grantham for whom Neil Stevenson took six for 39.  And Skegness 2^nd scored a 100 run win over Moulton Harrox, Aiistair Ainsworth making 79 for the seasiders.

Archie Stroud put in another good performance for Bourne 2^nd, taking five Lindum Ramblers wickets for 29 runs to help his side to a six wicket win, Tom Bentley hitting 54 for Bourne.

In Division One, John Lamin took five for eight in 6.3 overs to help Baston to a 27 run win over Market Deeping 2^nd while Long Sutton went on to claim a nine-wicket win over Friskney after Phil Edgeller has taken four for seven off seven overs.

Boston 2^nd couldn’t emulate their first team, going down to Stamford Town 2^nd by 78 runs but Simon Behan’s 56 helped Blankney to victory over Thomas Cook.

The tightest game of the day was in Division Two where Long Sutton 2^nd had just one wicket standing when they scored the winning run at home to Timberland who had been bowled out for 108.

Elsewhere, Cavaliers set Welby 2^nd a target of 205 for nine, Jamie Hayes hitting 68 and Andrew Spencer taking five for 39 for the visitors. Paul Ingram then claimed six for 23 as Welby were all out for 62. 

Grantham 2^nd went down to Freiston by 10 wickets, Goodfellow taking five for 29, while a higher scoring game at Spalding saw Burgh & District make 171 for nine, a target Pinchbeck reached for the loss of five wickets, Danny Jackson with 72.

And Claypole continued their good start, bowling Spalding 3^rd out for 110. Having then been reduced to 48 for six, Ben Ryder and Luke Endley came to the rescue with an unbeaten stand to take Claypole to victory.

Premier Division

Woodhall Spa 2^nd 99, Boston 101-1 (Evans 62no);

Welby 176, Sleaford 2^nd 112-9;

Belton Park 194 (D Turner 59, Stevenson 6-39), Grantham 101;

Billingborough 207-5 (Newman 65), Stamford Town 84 (Tilley 5-12)

Lindum Ramblers 159 (A Stroud 5-29), Bourne 2^nd 161-4 (Bentley 54);

Skegness 2^nd 219-4 (Ainsworth 79), Moulton Harrox 119

Division One

Thomas Cook 133-7, Blankney 135-4 (Behan 56no);

Baston 128, Market Deeping 2^nd 101 (Lamin 5-8);

Friskney 47, Long Sutton 51-1;

Stamford Town 2^nd 184-8, Boston 2^nd 106;

Division Two

Cavaliers 205-9 (Hayes 68, Spencer 5-39), Welby 2^nd 62 (Ingram 6-23);

Burgh & District 171-9, Pinchbeck 172-5 (Jackson 72);

Grantham 2^nd 89 (Goodfellow 5-29), Freiston 92-0;

Spalding 3^rd 110, Claypole 112-6;

Timberland 108, Long Sutton 2^nd 109-9;

NORTH LINDSEY LEAGUE OPENS ON SUNDAY WITH NEW SPONSOR

BY GLEN SANDS

The newly sponsored Amazing Smile North Lindsey Cricket League  begins on Sunday ( May 5th ) with three games  - all in Division One.
Amazing Smile are the largest teeth whitening company in the UK with over 100 franchises nationwide. They also operate in Spain , France , Lithuania and New York. and look forward to encouraging the participation of young players in the North Lindsey League, and have kindly donated £50 of the sponsorship deal to go to the Young Player of the Year award.

SUNDAY, MAY 5
AMAZING SMILE NORTH LINDSEY LEAGUE DIV ONE
Broughton 3rds  v  Appleby-Frodingham 3rds
Grimsby Town 3rds  v  Hibaldstow 2nds
Scunthorpe Town 4ths  v  Caistor Cougars
(2pm starts unless teams mutually agree a change)

SCOTHERN v OUTCASTS - LINCS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

BY GLEN SANDS

2012 was not a year to be remembered for Outcasts 1st eleven as they avoided relegation by the narrowest of margins but their first game under the captaincy of Richard Wroot brought a change of fortune as they gained a full 20 points when beating Scothern by 4 wickets in the bracing Lincolnshire air.Scothern batted first and quickly lost opener Mark Conyers , who had been something of a nemesis to the Isle side in the past , bowled by a terrific delivery from Matty Teal having made just two but that brought the in form Peter Wright to the crease fresh from an opening day half century and he looked in top form with an array of splendid shots. However just as he appeared set to put together a big score he attempted a pull to leg off the speedy Graeme Fletcher sending the ball spiralling into the air for skipper Wroot to take a difficult catch in the gusty wind, Wright having made 23 in no time at all. That left Scothern on 48 for 2 and in need of a calming period which they got from young opener Scott Nicholson and Joe Drabble who took the total to 93 before Drabble was caught by Tom Sharpe off the impressive Teal for 22. Nicholson had rode his luck at times when being dropped on a couple of occasions but just when he looked set for a half century he drove at Liam McAnaney and edged a sharp chance to Wroot who's glove work was impeccable throughout the innings and he was gone for a well constructed 42. Richard Johnson did'nt last long , making just a single before sending a catch back to the now spin bowler Tom Sharpe who has decided to revert back to his junior days when he bowled spin for the county then with the score on 123 Sam Naughton became Wroot's third victim when he edged McAnaney to the keeper having hit a brisk 22.Home captain Ian Brown lofted a catch to Graham Clark off Sharpe when he'd made a dozen , leaving Scothern on 139 for 7 in the 40th over but number eight Drabble and number nine Ian McGowan took the game to the visitors and progressed the score to 160 before Drabble was run out by a terrific piece of athletisism from Liam McAnaney who picked the ball up in his follow through , swivelled , then threw down the stumps with Drabble out of his crease. Simon nHarvey chopped a delivery from Sharpe onto his stumps in the 44th over and the innings came to a close when McGowan was caught in the deep by soldier Clark off McAnaney for 24 leaving Scothern all out for 178. Sharpe and McAnaney both took three wickets whilst Matty Teal was outstanding with figures of 15 overs 7 maidens 2 for 33 and Graeme Fletcher also played his part with his opening burst in what was reasonable fielding display apart from a couple missed catches.
Not content with his bowling stint Matty Teal then opened the innings with Scott Buttrick and it was Teal who set them on the way with some excellent shots. Runs were flowing and he had reached 25 when he pushed the ball to cover and set off, then inexplicably failed to run his bat in as Ian McGowan hit the stumps directly to send him back to the boundary edge. New recruit John Stokoe joined Buttrick in the middle and for a while they nudged the ball around as Scothern chose to take the pace off the ball when bringing on medium paced Mark Conyers. Buttrick couldn't find any rythme and having struggled to 13 he was caught by home skipper Ian Brown off Joe Drabble with the total on 66 and with just a couple of runs added it became 68 for 3 when Andy Lawson was bowed by Drabble as the Lincolnshire villagers fought back. Russell Fletcher hit one majestic boundary only to then hit a catch to Peter Wright of the wiley Ian McGowan who had entered the frey and at 78 for 4 Outcasts knew they needed a partnership of some quality if they were to have a chance of victory. Enter Spud Tait, fresh from a half century for the second eleven on opening day, and along with Stokoe who was proving his worth with a very confident first knock they took the total past three figures. McGowan was very economical but Scothern couldn't find a foil for him at the other end , particularly with skipper Brown being unable to bowl due to a problem with his back. The total had reached 109 when McGowan struck a blow for his team trapping Stoke LBW for 33 which saw Graham Clark join the ever impressive Tait at the crease. Richard Johnson , so often the scourge of the Isle side for once had an off day as both Tait and Clark took advantage with some splendid boundaries so Scothern brought on Jon Drabble and he picked up Clark in his first over , caught in the deep for 13 leaving Outcasts on 140 for 6 , some 39 runs short of their target. Skipper Richard Wroot had held himself back and his decision proved to be a very good one as he and Tait proceeded to guide their team home. Tait brought up a second successive half century with a six and Wroot also cleared the ropes before hitting the winning boundary in the penultimate over to earn Outcasts a well deserved victory , Tait ending on 55 and Wroot on 22. Ian McGowan was the pick of the Scothern bowling with figures for 2 for 45 from 14.4 overs.Credit should go to umpire Robyn Wilkinson who was standing on his own on a bitter spring afternoon. He showed great concentration throughout and generally umpired the game very well indeed.
So the season is underway for Outcasts 1st eleven and they couldn't have made a better start. There were several performances of note but it would be unfair to single anyone out for praise when as a team they produced a terrific display which they will look to take into their next game at Hirst Priory against Horncastle who have made a very good start themselves having won both games so far. Scothern on the other hand find themselves in a rare position of having lost their opening two games and will hope to improve that start when they travel to take on Messingham 2nds on Saturday , although with the talent they have at their disposal it is only a matter of time before they get back to winning ways.     

SAEED IN ACTION FOR SKEGGY

Skegness all-rounder Saeed Bariwala fell just short of a half-century at Hartsholme yesterday in the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST. www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography

HAXEY BATSMAN OUT ON 99 IN LINCS ECB PREMIER

READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

27 April - BY ANN BOULTON

Bracebridge Heath and Skegness were the only two teams to hold on to their unbeaten records in the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League.

Matthew Bradley was the architect of Bracebridge’s win over Market Deeping, taking six for 27 as the home side were all out for 112.  The visitors also found themselves in trouble on 28 for three but Nick John hit an unbeaten 55 to take them a six wicket victory.

And a half century for Ricky Lovelace saw Skegness to an eight wicket win at Ashby Avenue where Hartsholme were bowled out for 128.

Haxey’s Graeme Attenborough was the unluckiest batsman of the day, getting out on 99 at Woodhall Spa for whom Prasanna Jayawardene celebrated his first appearance with an innings of 65. 

Haxey’s Josh Savage was the bowler who claimed the Sri Lankan’s wicket after the visitors had made 212 for eight, three wickets falling to Northants player Lee Daggett. But Sam Evison with 50 Jayawardene helped Woodhall to a five wicket win.

New signing Harry Clewett continues to shine for Grimsby, the former Cleethorpes player making 46 runs and taking three wickets at Lindum.  Grimsby finished their 50 overs on 232 for eight and despite Richard Bishop’s 51, Lindum had only reached 135 when the final wicket fell.

Spalding and Sleaford both put in improved performances at London Road where the league newcomers made 192 for nine, Warren Nel hitting 58.  Tom Shorthouse then made 85 to help Sleaford to a six wicket win.

Louth went one better than last week’s draw with a 68 run win over Bourne.  Jason Collinson’s unbeaten 83 saw his side to 220 for seven at the close and Bourne were then bowled out for 152.

Results

Spalding 192-9 (Nel 58), Sleaford 196-4 (Shorthouse 85);

Grimsby 232-8, Lindum 135 (Bishop 51);

Haxey 212-8 (Attenborough 99), Woodhall Spa 213-5 (Evison 50, Jayawardene 65);

Market Deeping 112 (Bradley 6-27), Bracebridge Heath 113-4 (John 55no);

Louth 220-7 (Collinson 83no), Bourne 152;

Hartsholme 128, Skegness 129-2 (Lovelace 52no);

	P		W	L	Draw	Bat	Bowl	Win	Total
Bracebridge Heath		2	2	0	0	10	10	20	40
Skegness	2		2	0	0	10	10	20	40
Louth	2		1	0	1	9	9	10	35
Grimsby	2		1	0	1	9	7	10	29
Bourne	2		1	1	0	7	8	10	25
Haxey	2		1	1	0	7	7	10	24
Market Deeping	2		1	1	0	5	6	10	21
Sleaford	2		1	1	0	4	4	10	18
Woodhall Spa	2		1	1	0	4	4	10	18
Lindum	2		0	2	0	2	5	0	7
Hartsholme	2		0	2	0	1	5	0	6
Spalding	2		0	2	0	3	3	0	6

ACTION FROM HARTSHOLME v SKEGNESS TODAY

Ricky Lovelace on his way to an unbeaten half-century as Skegness won by eight wickets at Hartsholme today. Picture by NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography

HOWZAT FOR SPEEDY SERVICE? LINCOLN LINDUM v GRIMSBY TOWN TODAY

2.15pm Saturday, April 27: Jonathan Miller bowling for Lincoln Lindum at home to Grimsby Town, the latter have progressed to 149 for 5 from 35 overs.  The fine action picture was taken by NIGEL WEST and sent to Lincs Cricket Latest by the wonders of modern technology.
Nigel says: "I'm just going to Hartsholme v Skegness, so more to follow."
You will be able to view this picture, others from this game and many more fine action pix from Nigel's archive by following this link to www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography
Copies are available for sale. It's often said in sport "You are a long time retired." Those of us whose cricket careers began in the era of black and white prints will have kept a few old team pix in a drawer somewhere. But when we go (hopefully not for a few years yet) the chances are they will be thrown out. And that's a great pity. You lads who play today are lucky: Your performances, in the digital era, go into archives that should last for ever. Especially those taken by photographers like Nigel who use major storage servers like Photobox.

SOUTH LINCS AND BORDER CRICKET LEAGUE

FROM ANN BOULTON

Of the eight teams involved in the opening South Lincolnshire & Border League Premier Division games, only Stamford Town came out with a maximum 20 points.

Stamford’s innings ended on 225 for nine and Bill Hall’s five for 12 helped bowl Moulton Harrox out for 85.

Rob Bee made the Premier Division’s only century with 101 as Woodhall Spa finished on 200 for six before bowling newly promoted Welby out for 154.

Rob Bentley was also among the wickets with six for 45 for Bourne 2nd who were all out for 142, Archie Stroud making 61.  Paul Roberts hit an unbeaten 74 for Sleaford 2^nd but Bentley’s haul helped his side to a 14 run victory.

Alistair Ainsworth hit 90 of the Skegness total of 192 for six and Belton Park where then bowled out for 114.

Division One’s century maker in a tense, high scoring game, was Lloyd Stewart whose unbeaten 102 saw Baston reach 232 for eight, Jon Howard with 51.  For Moulton Harrox Sunday, Karl Hibbert made 64 and Henry Lavery 63 not but five for 18 from Felix Cunningham helped bowl Moulton out for 221.

Friskney got their Division One campaign off to a good start with victory over Thomas Cook while Stamford Town 2^nd won a tight game against Market Deeping by just two wickets, Neil Lowndes taking five for 19 for Deeping.

In Division Two, both league newcomers met at Freiston where Long Sutton 2^nd came out on top by nine wickets after bowling their opponents out for 58.

Claypole hit the day’s top team score with 262 before Luke Endley’s five for 16 helped bowl Boston 3^rd out for 41.

Sanjeet Tottl took five for 30 in Spalding 3^rd’s victory over Pinchbeck and Grantham 2^nd continued last season’s improving form with a 22 runs victory over Cavaliers, Stuart Mudie hitting 62 for Grantham.

Premier Division

Stamford Town 225-9, Moulton Harrox 85 (Hall 5-12);

Bourne 2^nd 142 (A Stroud 61), Sleaford 2^nd 128 (Roberts 74no, R Bentley 6-45);

Skegness 2^nd 192-6 (Ainsworth 90), Belton Park 114;

Woodhall Spa 2^nd 200-6 (Bee 101), Welby 154;

Division One

Spalding 2^nd 74, Boston 2^nd 75-3;

Friskney 158, Thomas Cook 84;

Market Deeping 2^nd 121-7, Stamford Town 2^nd 123-8 (Lowndes 5-19);

Baston 232-8 (Howard 51, L Stewart 102no), Moulton Harrox 221 (Hibbert 64, Lavery 63no, F Cunningham 5-18);

Long Sutton v Heckington – Heckington conceded

Division Two

Grantham 173-9 (S Mudie 62), Cavaliers 151;

Claypole 262, Boston 3^rd 41 (Endley 5-16);

Welby 2^nd 116, Lindum 3^rd 117-4;

Freiston 58, Long Sutton 2^nd 59-1;

Pinchbeck 109 (S Tott 5-20), Spalding 3rd 111-6;

SKEGNESS IN ACTION BY NIGEL WEST

Skegness skipper Richie Hewitt, whose side got off to a winning start against Lindum. PICTURE BY  NIGEL WEST.

SHROPSHIRE v LINCOLNSHIRE - MINOR COUNTIES KNOCKOUT TROPHY

FROM CHRIS KEYWOOD, CHAIRMAN, LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB

Lincolnshire began their 2013 season with a visit to Shrewsbury to play Shropshire in the first of their four Minor Counties Knock Out Group matches.

Shropshire won the toss and put Lincolnshire in to bat. An early breakthrough saw Kranjit Bansal bowled for nought and this brought debutant Mat Lineker, the former Derbyshire player, to the crease to join the aggressive Dan Birch. These two advanced the score to 64 before Birch was dismissed for 38 and he was quickly followed by Vikram Atri. There then followed a century stand between Lineker and Paul Cook before the latter was dismissed for an excellent 55. With plenty of overs remaining Lincolnshire were looking to post a total of around 300 and whilst Lineker was there it looked highly likely. The lower order could not build on this position and when Lineker was caught on the long-on boundary for 97 the innings fell away with only captain Brett Houston with 21 not out reaching double figures. Lincs were finally dismissed for 261, some 30 to 40 runs short of a likely winning total.

Early wickets were needed if Lincs were to take a firm hold on the game and Adam Shepherd duly obliged clean bowling opener Oliver with the first ball of the innings. Ed Foster and Bilal Shafayat then scored freely before Dan Freeman dismissed the latter. Foster was dismissed by Shepherd for 45 and with Shropshire on 102 for 3 Lincs were well in the game. There then followed the match winning stand of 106 for Shropshire between Joe Leach (69) and Rob Foster (72 not out) which took them to within 54 of victory. After Leach was dismissed by Bansal Jon Whitney together with Foster saw Shropshire to victory with 3 overs to spare. Lincs tried everything they could to contain the strong Shropshire batting line up using 7 bowlers in the process but to no avail.

Lincolnshire’s next group fixture is against Wiltshire at Woodhall Spa on Sunday, 5^th May with an 11am start.

HELP AT HAND IF YOUR LINCS CLUB IS LOOKING FOR FRIENDLIES

FROM ANDY - THE SUNDAY CRICKETER


Myself and another member of my cricket club have set up a website for teams to search and advertise for friendly games either pre-season or last minute during the season.
We have over 400 clubs already registered around the UK and that number is growing daily. Also, currently have around 200 dates where clubs want a game of cricket.
It's free to register and we think this will and has already benefit grass roots cricket. It also allows players in your area look for there local clubs.
We would be grateful if you could forward this to clubs in your county. We already have several counties helping with the main aim of more cricket being arranged and played
We are just trying to spread the word as much as possible and reach all clubs around the UK
Any questions, please ask

www.thesundaycricketer.co.uk

Find us on twitter @sundaycricketer 


Thanks



This e-mail was send to you through the Cricket Officials section on Play-Cricket.

OPENING DAY ROUND-UP IN THE LINCS ECB

READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE - BY ANN BOULTON

April 20

Grimsby’s Neal Snell hit the only century as brilliant sunshine welcomed the first weekend of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League season.

But despite the Grimsby player’s efforts, Louth came out on top in the day’s highest scoring match.

Arran Brindle hit 71 for the home side and Jason Collinson and overseas signing Azeem Ghumman contributed 44 and 43 respectively as Louth reached 233 for six, David White taking three wickets for Grimsby who were then reduced to 10 for two by Andy Carrington.

Snell came to the crease with the score on 47 for three and was ably supported by Jack Wilson, Harry Clewett and Lee Charlton as the score crept up.  However, the overs ran out with the visitors 18 short of their target with Snell unbeaten on 100.

Champions Haxey got off to a good start with Graeme Attenborough’s 47 helping his side to 175 before the final wicket fell. South African Josh Savage then celebrated his arrival in the league with two wickets in two balls in his first over.

Despite some dogged resistance from Christian Millar and Louis Kimber with a stand of 32 for the third wicket, Hartsholme never recovered from this early blow and when Attenborough and Mark Atkins joined forces in the attack, wickets fell steadily. 

Liam Moir-Holland batted steadily for his unbeaten 22 but ran out of partners with the total on 86, Atkins with three wickets and Attenborough and Savage with three each.

Four teams picked up the maximum 20 points – Bracebridge Heath, Bourne, Market Deeping and Skegness.

Bracebridge welcomed two new signings, Australian Martin Stephenson who took three wickets and Matt Carter, formerly with Cherry Willingham, who took four as Woodhall Spa were bowled out for 74, a total the home side reached for the loss of four wickets, all falling to Ben O’Brien.

Spalding’s Premier League debut got off to a disastrous start as the newcomers lost their top five batsmen for just 16 runs to Market Deeping’s Ali Sharp and Tom Andrews.

Zimbabwean Campbell Light stopped the slide, adding 58 with Michael Kearns but when Light fell to Mehul Adatia for 52, Spalding were reduced to 84 all out.  Andrews finished with five for 24 while Adatia bowled 10 overs with eight maidens and took three for five. 

Deeping had reached 24 when wickets began to fall and at 39 for four, a collapse could have been on the cards. But Chris Jones was still there and, first with Alex Wheatley then with Adatia, the opener saw his side to a five wicket victory with an unbeaten 34, Light taking three wickets.

Bourne’s maximum haul came at the expense of Sleaford who were all out for 133 despite an opening knock of 59 from new signing Ben Raine.  Raine was dismissed by Darren Cousins who went on to take four wickets while Colin Cheer claimed three.

Conrad Louth and Peter Morgan then hit 54 and 50 respectively to take Bourne to a nine wicket win.

Sean Williams, Australian but with a British passport, announced his arrival at Skegness with a haul of five for 39 off 13 overs to help bowl Lindum out for 133, Richard Bishop top scoring with 37 and Geoff Middleton hitting 36.

From 42 without loss, the seasiders found themselves 50 for three but Richie Hewitt and Paul Butler added 62 and Butler’s knock of 36 helped his side to a four wicket win.

Results

Woodhall Spa 74, Bracebridge Heath 75-4;

Spalding 84 (Light 52, T Andrews 5-24), Market Deeping 86-5;

Haxey 175, Hartsholme 86;

Lindum 133 (Williams 5-39), Skegness 134-6;

Sleaford 133 (Raine 59), Bourne 139-1 (Louth 54, Morgan 50);

Louth 233-6 (Brindle 71), Grimsby 215-9 (Snell 100no);

OUTCASTS 2nds v BROUGHTON 2nds - LINCS LEAGUE DIV 3

BY GLEN SANDS

The 2013 cricket season got underway on Saturday with the sun shining and it also brought a nail biting finish at Hirst Priory where Outcasts 2nds entertained Broughton 2nds in a match sponsored by JW Joinery.
New 2nd team skipper Jason Whiteley lost the toss to Broughton captain Tom Brock who invited the Priorymen to take first knock and it proved to be a good choice early on as Outcasts quickly found themselves struggling at 17 for 3. James Glew was first to go , trapped LBW by Brock without opening his account then Josh Bramhill was bowled by Tom Reed and when Anthony Fitzgerald was adjudged LBW to Reed for 8 it was looking likely to be a tough start for the Isle side. However club stalwart David Hobson and the talented Peter Tait set about repairing things and with some sensible batting they steadied the ship , adding 67 runs for the fourth wicket before Hobson was bowled by left arm swing bowler Robbie Ward having scored 25. That brought Jamie Arrowsmith to the crease and he played some excellent shots along with Spud Tait , both players finding their timing as the ball began to disappear to the boundary quite regularly. Just as it seemed they were going to post a sizeable total Broughton fought back , picking up the wicket of Arrowsmith for 25 , caught by Robbie Glentworth off the bowling of Andry Hillyard. Tait brought up a terrific half century then proceeded to deposit the ball into the trees for two mighty sixes but to their credit the visitors then bowled particularly well , stemming the runs which eventually saw them frustrate Tait into a false shot that saw him bowled by Hillyard for 69 , leaving the total at 143 for 6. From then on Outcasts innings stalled as Mark Fletcher was run out by skipper Jason Whiteley having scored five, then Tom Reed was brought back to clear up the tail , bowling Whiteley for seven , trapping Andy Colebrook LBW without scoring and finishing it off when bowling Ian Fletcher for 3 which left Matthew Mellers not out on eight and the total on 162 , Reed finishing with a personal haul of 5 for 35.
Broughton's reply began in similar fashion to Outcasts as they lost early wickets. Craig Hall played on to give Matt Mellers his first wicket of the season and Kyle Kitchen went for nought in the next over when sending a comfortable catch back to Jason Whiteley leaving Broughton on 3 for 2 !Robbie Glentworth and Paul Reed took the score to 28 before Reed was adjudged LBW to Whiteley for 12 then Glentworth was spectacularly caught in the covers by a swallow like diving Ian Fletcher for 18 , earning Mellers a second victim. Ryan Thompson was yorked by Whiteley , again without troubling the scorers and at 37 for 5 all appeared lost for Broughton but bowling hero Tom Reed was then joined by Jake Parker and as had happened in the Outcasts innings  a rebuilding job began to take place. They took the total to 98 before Reed picked out Mark Fletcher in the deep off the bowling of Josh Bramhill for 27 which saw Robbie Ward head to the middle. Parker was batting superbly and the game began to swing back in favour of the visitors , even when Andy Colebrook produced a stumping off Jason Whiteley to remove Ward for 10. Parker was still in command and when his skipper Tom Brock joined him they held their nerve to calmly see their team home with just four deliveries remaining as the spring sunshine disappeared to bring a decided chill to proceedings , Parker making an excellent 68 not out.
So it wasn't the winning start Outcasts 2nds skipper was looking for but there were some encouraging performances with Peter Tait opening the season well , as did the ever dependable David Hobson and Jamie Arrowsmith whilst Matthew Mellers return to the team saw him ease himself back nicely. 
Broughton were delighted to begin with a victory with a terrific all round performance from Tom Reed and a match winning innings of 68 not out from the impressive Jake Parker.

Outcasts first team will open their season with a trip to Scothern on April 27th whilst the 2nds are also on their travels , heading to Market Rasen to take on their 2nds who were promoted from Division Four last year.

EVERTON - WEEKS AHEAD ON ARTIFICIAL SURFACE

Clubs in the North Lindsey Cricket League are reminded that Everton  use an artificial strip for Sunday home games in the now renamed  Amazing Smile North Lindsey League.
The initial fixtures in the competition this year are on Sunday, May 5.

OPENING GAMES PREVIEWED IN LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER

A number of familiar faces return to the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League for the 2013 season, WRITES ANN BOULTON.

Former top batsman Warren Nel has left the Nottinghamshire Premier League to join newly-promoted Spalding while Charlie Tomlinson, who has had several seasons with Cleethorpes in the Yorkshire League, heads back to Lindum.

And a second Cleethorpes player, Stuart Airey, who also had a spell with Bracebridge Heath, will be playing at Bourne.

Also returning to the league with Spalding are Tim and Steve Norris and Rob Ambrose who skippers the side – all last seen when Long Sutton played in the league - while Stella Norris is now secretary and scorer.

In addition, Spalding field former Market Deeping brothers Charlie and Michael Kearns and have prepared for the first season in the top flight by signing batsman Jack Barrett from Moulton Harrox.

But the talking point of the new season is the appearance of two internationals.  Woodhall Spa clinched the deal of the year with the signing of Sri Lankan wicketkeeper/batsman Prasanna Jayawardene while Sleaford pulled off a coup by securing the services of New Zealand batsman Tim McIntosh who has a Test century against West Indies to his name.

Woodhall have stated that Jayawardene, scorer of almost 2,000 runs and four centuries in 52 Tests for his country, will play as a batsman as the club keeps faith with last year’s award-winning young wicketkeeper Jack Hughes.

The signing of Jonathan Cheer from Boston further strengthens the Woodhall line-up which will be skippered for the fifth year by Jack Luffman assisted by vice-captain Matthew Sargeant while newly appointed head coach Paul Timby will work with Jayawardene in developing the Woodhall Spa Academy.

Woodhall’s opening match is away to Bracebridge Heath who have added off spinner/batsman Matt Carter to their squad, having lost Jonathan Darke who has moved to Kent.

Skegness have a had busy winter, appointing last year’s 2^nd XI opening bat Richie Hewitt as 1^st XI captain and signing Dan Milgate and Ricky Lovelace from Woodhall Spa and wicketkeeper Matthew Hood from Boston.  From Australia comes seam bowler Sean Williams, who has a British passport and 17-year-old batsman/off-spinner Jarrod Hoskins.

Two New Zealanders are heading for Hartsholme - seam bowling all-rounder Richard Genge and 18 year old Tim Brown – while Grimsby have opted for an Australian quickie to replace Carl Taylor.

Joel Hamilton currently plays alongside fast bowler Ryan Harris in Brisbane and will be partnered fast bowler Charles Wright who has moved to Augusta Street from Woodhall Spa.

Slow bowlers have also been in skipper Jim Morgan’s sights, resulting in the acquisition of Harry Clewett from Cleethorpes and South Kelsey’s Connor Hawkins.  Completing the new faces at Grimsby is Bracebridge Heath batsman Ross Carnelley.

Champions Haxey have opted for a Pakistani bowler to replace Chintaka Perera who is sidelined for the season following a foot operation and have also secured the services of Barton’s Ashley Hooper and Dominic Bishop from Caistor.

Louth’s overseas player, 24 year old Azeem Ghumman is also from Pakistan and Market Deeping have signed 18 year old Ben Willemsen from Otago in New Zealand.

Deeping travel to league newcomers Spalding while league champions Haxey begin their season with a home fixture against Hartsholme.

Saturday, April 20 opening fixtures – 12 noon start

Bracebridge Heath v Woodhall Spa                     

Louth v Grimsby                                    

Haxey v Hartsholme                                          

Skegness v Lindum                                           

Bourne v Sleaford                                              

Spalding v Market Deeping