PREVIEW: GRIMSBY KNOCKOUT FINAL ON MONDAY, JULY 15

BY ANN BOULTON

Monday sees the culmination of seven weeks of cricketing entertainment when Augusta Street hosts the final of the 2013 Grimsby Town Knock Out.

Following last week’s semi-final win over Cleethorpes, Louth return to Augusta Street to contest the trophy with Lincolnshire Cavaliers.

This is Cavaliers second year in the competition – and in the final.  In 2012, the select team, led by ex-Grimsby players Jonny Miller and Geoff Middleton, both now with Lindum, lost out as the host club carried off the honours for the second year running.

However, Cavaliers got their revenge in this year’s semi-final, knocking out Grimsby after seeing off Messingham in the first round.

In addition to Miller and Middleton, the team includes former Grimsby players Matt and Tom Webb.  Kristian Adams and Lewis Tillison have also played alongside Lindum’s Luke Robinson and Karanjit Bansal and Market Rasen’s Matt Rutherford.

Louth’s progress to the final saw them top the 200 run mark in their first match against Nettleham – the only team to achieve this milestone in 2013 – then defeat Cleethorpes in a lower scoring semi-final.

Stewart West was instrumental in both victories, getting his side off to a quick start with the bat while Tom Corden was the top scorer in the first match.  Against Cleethorpes, Andy Carrington’s four wickets were crucial in restricting the Meggie’s’ scoring rate.

Spectators will also be hoping for a second glimpse of England player Arran Brindle, named this week in the Ashes squad, after her unbeaten innings in the semi-final.

The match starts at 6.15pm and admission is £2 (free for Grimsby Town members).