LINCS ECB PREMIER PREVIEW BY ANN BOULTON

With three games to go, Woodhall Spa will attempt to add to their 12 point lead at the top of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League table when they entertain bottom team Hartsholme.

But the Lincoln side have a reputation for pulling off surprises in big games and should not be underestimated by the league leaders.

Second placed Bracebridge Heath are at home to Louth while Sleaford, who trail Bracebridge by one point, travel to 11^th placed Haxey.

The most interesting game of the day is likely to be at Market Deeping who are fifth and take on fourth placed Lindum.  Just 11 points separate Lindum from a top three position but Deeping have stayed in the top half of the table all season and will prove tough opposition.

In mid-table, Skegness play host to Bourne while Grimsby are at home to Spalding.  The league newcomers are 10^th and have little change of progressing higher but a win for Grimsby could see them move into the top six.

Skipper Jim Morgan needs eight runs to pass 500 for the season while a good innings from Steve Crossley could see him top 600 but both have some way to go to catch Spalding’s Warren Nel, whose tally stands at 784.

Saturday, August 31 fixtures (12 o’clock start)

Haxey v Sleaford

Woodhall Spa v Hartsholme

Bracebridge Heath v Louth

Market Deeping v Lindum

Skegness v Bourne

Grimsby v Spalding

LINCS TOUR DATE FOR BLOFELD AND BAXTER OF TEXT MATCH SPECIAL

Henry Blofeld and Peter Baxter will be presenting Memories of Test Match Special at Grimsby Auditorium on Sunday, September 22. Call 0844871 3016 or visit www.memoriesoftestmatchspecial.com
Their Evening of Mirth show started in June and is going all round the country, finishing next February.

AUGUST 24 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

BY ANN BOULTON

Only one game was played to completion in a rain-hit Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League programme on Saturday, August 24.

But that game, and the only other one where any overs were bowled, left three teams in close contention for the league title and Lindum still in with a chance of honours.

St Giles Avenue hosted the only full game and Matt Sergeant took advantage of the overcast conditions to take seven wickets for league leaders Woodhall Spa.

Lindum got off to a good start, Pierce Morley-Barnes (34) and Will Wright putting on 44 for the first wicket before Luke Smith dismissed Wright for 29 and a run out made it 50 for two.

Morley-Barnes and Karanjit Bansal restored order, taking the total to 107 before the opener also fell to Smith.

However, the next three wickets fell to Sergeant for only 22 runs and it was left to Richard Bishop to join Bansal in a stand of 33.  Bansal also fell to Sergeant for 60 and the Woodhall bowler swept through the tail end as Lindum were all out for 163.

Joe Peatman then got Lindum off to an excellent start, dismissing Jonny Cheer and Prasanna Jayawardene to leave the visitors 22 for two.  The middle order dug in but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Sergeant contributed 28 and helped the score to 107 for seven but Peatman and Tom Lindsay struck again and at 134 for nine, Lindum looked set for victory.

But the experienced Paul Timby thought differently and with Smith batting doggedly at the other end, the total crept up until, with just four needed to reach the target, skipper Jon Miller tempted Smith into giving a catch to Bansal to give his side the slenderest of wins.

All this was being watched keenly at Sleaford where Bracebridge Heath were the visitors.  By now, both sides were back in the pavilion, having managed just 45 overs before rain stopped play.

However, this was enough for Paul Cook to score an unbeaten 130 and Brett Houston 72 not out as the third placed team posted 265 for one.  This gave Bracebridge five bonus points which was enough to move them in second place, just one point above their opponents.

Woodhall now lead Bracebridge by 12 points and with three games to go, Lindum are 25 points behind the leaders but just 11 adrift of Sleaford.

All other games were called off with no play possible.

Results

Lindum 163 (Bansal 60, Sergeant 7-55), Woodhall Spa 159;

Bracebridge Heath 265-1 (Cook 130no, Houston 72no) v Sleaford – abandoned after 45 overs

Spalding v Hartsholme, Bourne v Haxey, Louth v Market Deeping, Grimsby v Skegness – abandoned, no play.

	P	W	L	Draw	NR	Bat	Bowl	Win	Total
Woodhall Spa	19	13	3	2	1	70	71	130	282
Bracebridge Heath	19	9	4	4	2	73	65	90	270
Sleaford	19	11	4	3	1	73	60	110	269
Lindum	19	10	5	4	0	64	68	100	258
Market Deeping	19	10	7	1	1	62	61	100	231
Skegness	19	8	8	1	2	62	53	80	208
Grimsby	19	6	7	3	3	62	53	60	197
Louth	19	4	8	5	2	53	52	40	188
Bourne	19	3	6	7	3	51	50	30	187
Spalding	19	3	7	6	3	49	48	30	158
Haxey	19	3	11	3	2	29	45	30	125
Hartsholme	19	3	13	1	2	29	39	30	109

SOUTH LINCS & BORDER LEAGUE UPDATE

AUGUST 24 GAMES REVIEWED BY ADD BOULTON

A rain-affected Saturday saw only a handful of games played in the South Lincolnshire & Border League but the completion of the top game in the Premier Division saw Billingborough consolidate their lead in the championship race.

Playing at the Mayflower Ground, home side Boston were all out for 92, Roy Tilley inflicting major damage on the batting line up in his 12 overs which yielded four wickets for just six runs.

But Billingborough found runs equally difficult to come by, collapsing from 72 for three to 80 for six before Chris King and Tom Harrison saw them home.

With four games to go to the end of the season, the village side now has a 31 point lead over Boston while Bourne 2^nd stay in third place after a tight game against Skegness 2^nd.

Archie Stroud hit an unbeaten 96 in Bourne’s 209 for two, Robert Dunn making 53.  Skegness then finished just 11 runs short of their target with seven wickets down, Richie Hewitt making a welcome return to the seasiders’ team to hit 66.

The only other game to start brought points for fourth placed Stamford Town who made 210 for nine.  Welby then reached 65 for three before rain stopped play.

In Division One, Baston and Stamford Town 2^nd continue to battle it out for second place behind clear leaders Long Sutton whose game against Market Deeping 2^nd was abandoned early in the second inngs.

Helped by an unbeaten 79 from Liam Davies, Baston scored an eight wicket win over Blankney who were all out for 141.  And Stamford beat Thomas Cook by the same margin, Brian Bennett with an unbeaten 66 for the victors.

Friskney stayed in touch with the top three with a six wicket win over Moulton Harrox Sunday, Harry Barnett making 68 for Moulton and Mitch Griffiths and Rob Grant hitting 53 and 85 respectively for Friskney.

No play was possible in any of the Division Two games.

Premier Division

Boston 92, Billingborough 93-6;

Bourne 2^nd 209-2 (A Stroud 96no, Dunn 53), Skegness 2^nd 198-7 (Hewitt 66);

Stamford Town 210-9 (Hulme 56, Chappell 58), Welby 65-3 – abandoned

All other games abandoned with no play

Division One

Blankney 141, Baston 142-2 (Davies 79no);

Thomas Cook 100, Stamford Town 2^nd 103-2 (Bennett 66no);

Market Deeping 2^nd 123-8, Long Sutton 35-0 – abandoned

Spalding 179-5 (Clark 59no) v Heckington – abandoned;

Billingborough 2^nd v Boston 2^nd – abandoned

Moulton Harrox Sunday 209 (Barnett 68), Friskney 210-4 (Griffiths 53, Grant 85);

Division Two

All games abandoned

OUTCASTS BEAT ALKBOROUGH IN NORTH LINDSEY DIV 2 CUP FINAL

BY GLEN SANDS

Outcasts produced an excellent team performance to lift the North Lindsey League Division Two KO Cup at Luddington against last year's winners Alkborough for whom this was a rare defeat.With so much rain having fallen on the evening prior to the match Luddington's groundsman Dill Pullan had performed something of a miracle just to get the game played but as the game progressed  conditions improved and in the end the Isle side were worthy winners by 63 runs. Alkborough won the toss and inserted Outcasts , quickly picking up the wicket of Josh Bramhill , caught behind by Dave Kilgallon off Jake SAstle with the total on six then opener Jamie Belton and Scott Buttrick took the score to 33 before the latter was caught by Josh Baker off Fred Warburton for 15. Peter Tait joined Belton and they were made to work hard for their runs by some tight bowling by the Alkborough attack then Tait went , caught by Matt Baxter off Liam Hebblewhite for nine. Belton was batting sensibly , gathering his runs steadily whilst wickets fell at the other end , Russell Fletcher and Richard Wroot falling cheaply as Outcasts slipped to 76 for 5 but Charlie Mason strode to the middle and along with the ever increasingly confident Belton they took the game to their opponents , moving to three figures and beyond with some excellent play. They added 55 runs for the sixth wicket of which Mason made 32 with five boundaries before he was caught by Kilgallon off Warburton then Belton brought up an exceptional half century then he powered on to finish the innings on 76 not out having batted right through , leaving Outcasts on 148 for 6 from their 40 overs , Warburton and Josh Baker picking up two wickets each.
After a delicious tea provided by Lois and Mick Clark, Outcasts took to the field looking for early success against the Cup holders and that is just what happened as skipper Liam McAnaney led from the front. It was Graeme Fletcher who picked took the first wicket when trapping Matt Baxter LBW with the total on six and only one further run had been added when Dave Kilgallon was out , caught at backward square by Charlie Mason off McAnaney. Macca then produced a beauty to dismiss Liam Hebblewhite and the roar that accompanied Russell Fletcher's catch to dismiss danger man VK Raj could be heard in Crowle as Alkborough slumped to 13 for 4. Runs were proving hard to come by as skipper Paul Mitchell and Josh Barker dug in to try and piece together a partnership and for a while they held up the Outcasts charge. Mitch had reached 21 when he was caught by Scott Buttrick off Lee Gash , the total having reached 50 but they were still behind the required rate as the Isle side continued to bowl quite tightly. Will Harrison let loose with a flurry of boudaries before being involved in a mix up that saw Josh Baker run out for 20 then Scott Buttrick trapped Harrison LBW for 18 and the writing was on the wallat 79 for 7. Liam McAnaney and Buttrick then wrapped things up , McAnaney having Fred Warburton caught by Graeme Fletcher before Buttrick took two in two to leave Alkborough 85 all out , clinching the victory by more than sixty runs. McAnaney finished with the remarkable figures of eight overs five maidens four for six and Buttrick three for nine in what proved to be a well deserved win for the Priorymen.
NLL fixture secretary Glen Sands presented Liam McAnaney with the trophy and a cheque for £50 after thanking Luddington for the use of their facilities and congratulating Alkborough on  their previously long unbeaten run that had seen them go over a year without defeat after which both clubs retired to the River Don who kindly provided them with an after-match sausage, beans and chip supper.

  

NORTH LINDSEY CRICKET LEAGUE ROUND-UP BY GLEN SANDS

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION TWO KO CUP FINAL
The Second Division Cup Final took place at Luddington on Sunday (August 25) after a great deal of hard work by local groundsman Dill Pullan ensured the game was played, and it was Isle of Axholme side Outcasts who picked up the trophy when beating Paul Mitchell's Alkborough by 63 runs. Jamie Belton batted throughout the entire Outcasts innings, making 76 not out in their score of 148 for 6, Charlie Mason adding 32 in the middle order. Then skipper Liam McAnaney took an impressive 4 for 6 and Scott Buttrick 3 for 9 to win it for the Priorymen.

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION ONE
Appleby-Frodingham gained a big win against Caistor Cougars which sees them climb level with Grimsby at the top of the table, the Scunthorpe Steelmen posting a mammoth 285 for 6 with 69 from Jack Dixon, 53 from Matt Fowler and 41 from Tom Brookes, Oliver Barrick taking 3 for 59. The Cougars were then dismissed for 95, Sarah Sundaram picking up 4 for 26. The one other Division One game saw Scunthorpe Town beat Hibaldstow by two wickets, chasing down Hibaldstow's target of 157 for 7 in which Tom Taylor top scored with 54 not out,  then squeezing home thanks in the main to Harry Pope who hit 45.

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION THREE
The potential title decider between Everton and Cleethorpes fell victim to the heavy rain on Saturday leaving the Everton ground saturated and putting the Meggies on the brink of clinching top spot. The other scheduled Division Three game saw Blyth CC awarded the points against South Kelsey who were unable to field a team, leaving their opponents facing a winner-takes-all final match with Everton to clinch the second promotion spot.


MATCH DETAILS
AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION TWO KO CUP FINAL   @  Luddington
ALKBOROUGH  v  OUTCASTS
Outcasts : 148 for 6 ( J Belton 76 no ; C Mason 32 )
Alkborough : 85 all out     L McAnaney 4 for 6 ; S Buttrick 3 for 9
RESULT :  OUTCASTS win by 63 runs

AMZING SMILE NLL DIVISION ONE
APPLEBY-FRODINGHAM  v  CAISTOR COUGARS
App Frodingham : 285 for 6  ( J Dixon 69 ; M Fowler 53 ; T Brookes 41 )   O Barrick 3 for 59
Cougars : 95 all out                 S Sundarum 4 for 26
RESULT : APPLEBY-FRODINGHAM win by 190 runs

SCUNTHORPE TOWN  v  HIBALDSTOW
Hibaldstow :  157 for 7 ( T Taylor 54 no )
Scunthorpe : 158 for 8 ( H Pope 45 )
RESULT : SCUNTHORPE TOWN win by 2 wickets

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION THREE
BLYTH CC  v  SOUTH KELSEY  -  Postponed  -  Kelsey unable to field a team
RESULT :  BLYTH CC   3 pts   SOUTH KELSEY  - 1 pt

EVERTON  v  CLEETHORPES   -  Postponed due to wet conditions
RESULT : EVERTON  1 pt   CLEETHORPES  1 pt

WEEKEND PREVIEW
On Sunday, September 1 Cleethorpes and South Kelsey will contest the Division Three KO Cup Final at Messingham, as the Meggies look to maintain their hopes of a League and Cup double.
There will be a full fixture list in Division One as joint leaders Grimsby Town head to Hibaldstow, while Appleby- Frodingham entertain Broughton. Caistor Cougars really need to pick up the points at home to Scunthorpe Town if they are to climb away from the lower reaches of the table.
The match of the day in Division Two takes place at Haxey where near neighbours Outcasts will travel in good heart following their Cup success and Alkborough will be hoping to bounce back with a win when they play hosts to Barton Academy Vikings. Finally, nothing but a win for Luddington at home to Messingham will keep them in the hunt for promotion, although it is a must win game for Messingham  if they are to avoid finishing in the bottom two.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1
AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION THREE KO CUP FINAL  @ Messingham
Cleethorpes  v  South Kelsey

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION ONE
Appleby-Frodingham  v  Broughton
Caistor Cougars  v  Scunthorpe Town
Hibaldstow  v  Grimsby Town

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION TWO
Alkborough  v  Barton Academy Vikings
Haxey  v  Outcasts
Luddington  v  Messingham

NORTH LINDSEY CRICKET LEAGUE TABLES

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIV ONE	PLAYED	WON	LOST	NO RES	TIED	POINTS
1. GRIMSBY TOWN	7	5	1	1	0	16
2. APPLEBY FRODINGHAM	7	5	1	1	0	16
SCUNTHORPE TOWN	6	3	1	2	0	11
4. BROUGHTON	8	3	4	1	0	9
5. CAISTOR COUGARS	8	1	5	2	0	5
6. HIBALDSTOW	8	1	6	1	0	4
AMAZING SMILE NLL DIV TWO	PLAYED	WON	LOST	NO RES	TIED	POINTS
1. OUTCASTS	8	5	2	1	0	16
2. ALKBOROUGH	7	5	1	1	0	16
3. LUDDINGTON	8	5	3	0	0	15
4. HAXEY	8	4	3	1	0	13
5. BARTON ACADAMY VIKINGS	9	2	6	1	0	7
6. MESSINGHAM	8	1	7	0	0	3
AMAZING SMILE NLL DIV THREE	PLAYED	WON	LOST	NO RES	TIED	POINTS
1. CLEETHORPES	9	6	1	2	0	20
2. BLYTH CC	9	5	2	2	0	17
3. EVERTON	9	5	2	2	0	17
4. SOUTH KELSEY	10	3	5	2	0	10
5. UPTON CUM KEXBY	10	3	6	1	0	7
6. MISTERTON	9	1	7	1	0	4
DIVISION ONE
BROUGHTON DEDUCTED 1 PT FOR FAILING TO FULFILL FIXTURE V GRIMSBY TOWN
DIVISION THREE
UPTON CUM KEXBY DEDUCTED 3 POINTS FOR FAILING TO FULFILL THREE LEAGUE FIXTURES
SOUTH KELSEY DEDUCTED 1 PT FOR FAILING TO FULFILL FIXTURE V BLYTH CC

MESSINGHAM BEAT NETTLEHAM AT GRIMSBY TOWN IN GEORGE MARSHALL TROPHY FINAL

Messingham's Andy Langford receives the George Marshall Trophy from Bob Welton, chairman of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League. 

REPORT BY JIMMY SNEE, MESSINGHAM CRICKET CLUB

Blustery but sunny conditions welcomed both Lincs League Premier  teams to Augusta Street for the George Marshall Trophy final. The ground was in its usual excellent condition and a good following from both clubs gave the game a cup final atmosphere.

Nettleham won the toss and had no hesitation in inviting Messingham to bat first. Tight bowling and good fielding was the order of the day early on, however Ex Grimsby Town player  Richard Antcliffe, playing at his old home ground, punished any loose balls thus dominating the early scoreboard. 

After losing fellow opener Richard Keightley to a good ball from Willerton, Dale Coy joined Antcliffe at the crease to play a rather patient innings before Coy succumbed to slow bowling of Matt Smith for  20.

Next man in was veteran and ever reliable Ian Dawson who paced his innings to perfection, often running sprightly between the wickets despite his ageing years. The partnership between the two experience batsman formed the basis of a potential score of around 200. However after the demise of Antcliffe (63) to a good bit of bowling from Growcott,  

Apart from Dawson (54) the innings faltered slightly, with only Dannatt (18) and Belton (12)  reaching double figures and the final score of 187 looked a touch below par.

After an excellent tea from Grimsby Town’s Lisa Farrell, Messingham’s plan was to take early wickets and build some scoreboard pressure which they did. 

Skipper Andy Langford produced a beauty first up to rock back opener Curtis leg stump for one.  Paul Taylor then dismissed the dangerous McCardell for (14) although his dismissal was due to a fantastic catch by the agile Lawson at gully. Dave Manby then went for a duck after chasing a wide one from Langford, snicking off to a full length dive from the impressive keeper Dale Coy. 

Nettleham’s overseas player Samunderu was next to go , top edging an short sharp delivery from Richard Dannatt resulting in the fleet footed Coy dashing 25 yards to take the catch.

At 42-5 the game was in Messingham’s favour, however a stand ensued with Willerton and Dalton rebuilding the innings and at drinks the game was evenly poised.

Nettleham were up with the run rate and two men were set at the crease. As often the case with drinks a wicket soon follows and so it did. The introduction of unsung hero Paul Rocks proved to be the defining moment; he removed Willerton (18), and then took the prize scalp of the dangerous looking Dalton (41) with a sharp catch from the evergreen Ian Dawson at midwicket to finish with figures of 2 -24 in his 9 overs .

Nettleham's innings started to peter out after a great throw from Danny Rands from the deep to run out Nettleham’s skipper Russ Binnington, but it was fitting that the skipper Langford took the final catch to secure the Cup, Messingham's first since 1985.

Special mention to 12^th man Baxter who replaced the injured Richard Dannatt at a crucial time producing some outstanding run saving fielding. 

MOM was awarded to Antcliffe for his innings of 63 opening the batting. The cup was awarded to Skipper Andrew Langford by League Chairman Bob Welton.

Trophy winners Messingham. Back row, from left: Jimmy Snee (manager) Paul Rocks, Ian Dawson, Richard Antcliffe, Dale Coy, Jamie Belton, Richard Keigthley, Chloe Langford (chairman); front row: Paul Baxter, Paul Taylor, Richard Dannatt, Andrew Langford, Danny Rands, Matthew Lawson, Neil Birkett (scorer).

CLEETHORPES TWENTY20 COMING UP AT CHICHESTER ROAD

The Cleethorpes Cricket Club Twenty-20 Tournament is now an established part of the scene and well worth a visit if you haven't been before.

SATURDAY AUG 24 PREVIEW - READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

BY ANN BOULTON

Second plays third in the pick of the games in the Lincolnshire ECB Premier League when Sleaford host Bracebridge Heath at London Road.

And at St Giles Avenue, leaders Woodhall Spa take on fourth placed Lindum.

Sleaford’s New Zealand import Tim McIntosh now has 1021 runs to his name and is threatening the league record of 1187 set by Bracebridge’s Mark Fell in 2008.  And with fellow opener Tom Shorthouse topping the 600 run mark, the home side are a formidable batting force.

However they will face the league’s two top bowlers, Matt Carter who has 56 wickets and Matt Bradley with 42.

Lindum have climbed steadily up the table following their poor start and 16 year old Will Wright will be looking to add to his 650 runs on his home ground.  Wright is just five runs ahead of Woodhall’s prolific batsman Jonny Cheer who has hit two centuries this season while Wright is still seeking his first.

Lower down the table, 10^th placed Spalding play host to bottom side Hartsholme who will be looking to dismiss their former player Warren Nel early to be in with a chance of getting among the Spalding wickets.

And Bourne, who are one place above Spalding but well away from relegation danger, are at home to Haxey .

Grimsby could move into the top half of the table if they beat Skegness at Augusta Street where Jim Morgan will be looking for another good performance from Harry Clewett, fresh from his excellent showing for Lincolnshire in their recent victory.

Morgan himself has almost 500 runs for the season while Steve Crossley has 532 and Clewett has claimed 32 wickets.

Nine points behind Grimsby are Louth who will also be looking for a top six place when they take on fourth placed Market Deeping at London Road.  Laurence Scott and Stewart West are Louth’s top performers with the bat but Deeping also have a good batting line-up headed by the experienced Chris Jones and this likely to be another competitive game.

Fixtures (noon start)

Sleaford v Bracebridge Heath

Spalding v Hartsholme

Bourne v Haxey

Louth v Market Deeping

Grimsby v Skegness

Lindum v Woodhall Spa

ANNUAL WEST WOLD MIDWEEK EVENING LEAGUE CHALLENGE MATCH AT CAISTOR

PICTURE AND REPORT FROM PETER THOMPSON RURAL NEWS 

The final game of the West Wold Midweek Evening Cricket League saw league champions Middle Rasen take on a representative side selected by League President Kathleen Smith. The President's Xl won in a close contest at Caistor Cricket Club. Brockleseby Park Cricket Club, however, won the West Wold League Knock Out Cup Final, defeating  Middle Rasen by 26 runs. Both teams have had successful seasons in the league, with Brocklesby finishing second.

PICTURED ABOVE
The Kathleen Smith President's Xl before they played  in the traditional final challenge match of the West Wold Evening League season at Caistor Cricket Club against league winners Middle Rasen.  From the left, back: John Challenor, Peter Jacob, Jon Wright Garreth ohnson, Matthew Bell, Shahia Chowdhur and Megan Quinlan. Front: Oliver Barrick, Nick Beacock, James Fussey and Megan Quinlan. 

Peter Thompson Rural News can be contacted by email at pthompson@ruralnews.orangehome.co.uk

West Wold Evening League 2013

Final League Table

		Club/Team	Mch	W	L	A	R/W F	Total
1		Middle Rasen	13	11	1	1	26.26	22
2		Brocklesby Park	13	9	4	0	24.58	18
3		Caistor Hurdiss	13	8	5	0	33.40	16
4		Market Rasen	13	6	3	4	26.88	12
5		Market Rasen Rugby Club	13	4	6	3	12.50	8
6		Owmby	13	3	8	2	14.64	6
7		H.C.Wright	13	2	10	1	13.65	4
8		Market Rasen Ladies	7	0	6	1	7.67	0