MESSINGHAM 2NDS v OUTCASTS - LINCS LEAGUE DIV ONE

BY GLEN SANDS

Outcasts climbed to fourth in the Lincs League Division One table when they comfortably beat struggling Messingham 2nds on the first really hot Saturday of the summer.

Skipper Richard Wroot was happy to win the toss and had no hesitation in batting first but things were not going to plan as Outcasts found themselves in a tricky situation at 84 for 5 before he himself and Craig McAnaney put together a terrific century partnership to really take them into a strong position. Matthew Teal was first to go , caught by wicket keeper Steve Cox off John West for 12 then Andy Torr hit a splendid quickfire 25 before he was second to go , trapped LBW by West with the score on 55. John Stokoe failed to trouble the scorers when being bowled by a good yorker from West then opener Darren Clark was bowled by Paul Baxter for 28 and Andy Lawson caught at slip by Nigel Barnes from the next delivery which saw the Isle side in a perilous position and in need of some rebuilding. That came via captain Richard Wroot and Craig McAnaney who steadied the innings then began to take control with some excellent play as the warm weather began to take effect on the fielding side. They added exactly 100 runs with Wroot bringing up an splendid half century before he was finally caught at backward point by John West off the wiley Jimmy Snee for 61 then Mick Wills , in his first Outcasts game for over ten years , hit ten after which McAnaney ( 44 not out ) and Tom Sharpe ( 12 not out ) guided Outcasts to an impressive 223 for 7 , McAnaney in particular looking more at ease the longer his innings progressed. John West was the pick of the Messingham bowlers with figures of 3 for 38 although Jimmy Snee's 11 overs saw him pick up 2 for 47 and Paul Baxter finished with 2 for 21 from seven.

Messingham 's reply got off to a particularly slow start as Liam McAnaney and Matthew Teal bowled some very tight overs , then Teal had Steve Cox spectacularly caught by Richard Wroot for three with the total on 14 and the stage was set for a steady progression of wickets. The usually reliable Ian Dawson edged a catch off Teal to John Stokoe at slip having scored just eight then Paul Baxter was comfortably caught by Wroot without scoring to earn Teal a third wicket and that became four when he bowled Rob Talbot for one , leaving Messingham in trouble on 29 for 4. Just one further run had been added when Liam McAnaney joined the party , bowling Neil Birkitt for nought then Issac Hammond and the stubborn Nigel Barnes put on a dozen runs before Tom Sharpe , bowling his quicker brand of deliveries again , hit Hammond's stumps to make it 42 for 6. The writing was on the wall now and Graeme Fletcher quickly made it 43 for 7 when bowling Jimmy Snee quickly followed by Sharpe's second wicket as John West was bowled for nought. Fletcher wrapped things up when trapping Barnes LBW for 21 and with Messingham's last man absent through having to leave early the match came to an end , the winning margin being a comprehensive 171 runs , Mattew Teal taking the bowling honours with 4 for 18 from eight overs although Graeme Fletcher's late cameo saw him pick up 2 for 2 from 4.5 overs including four maidens and Sharpe finished with 2 for 4 from four.

So it was a welcome return to form for the Isle side even though they got off to a faultering start but they will have to wait two weeks beforwe taking to the field again and it will be a tough task when they travel to runaway league leaders Broughton on July 20th whilst Messingham head to Heslam Park on July 13th to take on Scunthorpe Town 2nds looking to pick up some much needed points if they are to start to climb off the bottom of the table.

Outcasts 2nds gave a good account of themselves before losing to Division Three leaders Alford 2nds by 33 runs at a sun drenched Hirst Priory. Alford set a target of 211 for 5 with 61 from Harry McHamilton and 58 not out from Dean Jacklin, Alex Fletcher taking 3 for 54 for Outcasts who reached a creditable 178 all out in reply thanks to 42 from skipper Jason Whiteley 32 from Matt Wilkinson and decent cotributions of 28 , 26 and 24 from Jon Wroot , Lee Gash and Josh Bramhill.  Their performance should put them good heart when they take on Barton Town 2nds on July 13th.