LINCS ECB PREMIER PREVIEW OF GAMES ON SATURDAY AUGUST 3

READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE - BY ANN BOULTON

Woodhall Spa go into their game against Bourne with a 29 point lead at the top of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League. 

But their opponents, despite some good performances recently, are still struggling to move above ninth position where they are 10 points ahead of Spalding but almost 50 up on the bottom two sides.

Spalding take on Haxey, the team below them.  Champions last year, Haxey have struggled to find form in 2013 and are 38 points behind Spalding and only 12 above bottom side Hartsholme who face a tough challenge against second placed Sleaford.

The good pitch at Ashby Avenue could suit prolific Kiwi batsman Tim McIntosh and the home side will have to work hard to contain his flow of runs which is nearing the 800 mark for the season.

Third placed Bracebridge Heath are at home to Skegness, who are sixth but are struggling to find their early season form.  Bracebridge trail Sleaford by only seven points but have 36 to make up on Woodhall if they are to regain the championship -  and only seven games to do it.

Seven points behind in fourth and with Grimsby as their guests are Market Deeping whose consistent results have kept them in the top four for most of the season.  Grimsby, however, have suffered fluctuating fortunes but with skipper Jim Morgan back at the helm, will be looking to overtake Skegness and move back into the top half of the table.

The game of the day could be in mid-table as Lindum celebrate their President’s Day with a fixture against Louth.  Both sides have achieved better results in recent weeks, Lindum moving up to fifth while Louth are eighth but only eight points off sixth place.

Fixtures (12.30 start)

Hartsholme v Sleaford

Market Deeping v Grimsby

Lindum v Louth

Bracebridge Heath v Skegness

Woodhall Spa v Bourne

Haxey v Spalding

REPORT OF LINCS LEAGUE TWENTY20 AT LOUTH - 50th ANNIVERSARY TOURNAMENT

BY GLEN SANDS

The Lincolnshire League's  celebration of their  50th Anniversary saw 44 players from clubs across all five divisions come together for a  T20 competition at the excellent location of London Road Louth who were the perfect hosts as everyone enjoyed a fantastic day which saw £140 raised for charity.Chairman Bob Welton had worked tirelessly to put together four teams with temporary secretary Glen Sands and the players gathered at the ground to find out which of the four sponsored teams they were selected for.  Steve King from Haxey CC had sponsored the Royal Kings whilst the Scunthorpe & Lincoln Umpires Association sponsored another , aptly named the Triggers. Free Solars were the third sponsors and finally the Chairman himself had sponsored the fourth team , calling them the Chairman's Cavaliers.
The first game saw The Triggers taking on Royal Kings who batted first , scoring 103 all out thanks chiefly to Owmby's Sam Atkin who hit 24 while Matt Baxter from Alkborough and Jon Stephenson from Market Rasen both hit 18 , Paul Mitchell taking incredible figures of 5 for 9 from just 3.1 overs with Haxey's Andy Steeper picking up 3 for 18 and Normanby Park's Alan Dawson 2 for 18. The Triggers gave a good account of themselves before falling eight runs short of the Royal Kings total , Lewis Gash of Holton le Clay hitting 23 and that man Mitchell 18 with Luke Ford , again from Holton le Clay , taking 2 for 9 and there were three run outs as panic set in.
The second game brought together Bob Welton's Chairmans Cavaliers and Free Solars with the Cavaliers taking first knock , posting a score of 114 for 7 from their 20 overs , Market rasen's Matt Rutherford hitting an impressive 45 aided by Alkborough's Dave Kilgallon ( 16 ) and 12 from both Declan Dunning of Normanby Park and skipper Jeremy Evans of Haxey, Mick Barton from Laportes and Danny Bullock of Haxey both taking  2 for 17. Owmby's Dan Hill was the hero for Free Solars , resplendant in their green shirts , hitting 30 not out as his team reached 115 for 6 in the final over , Dave Papworth of Market Rasen hitting 26 and Outcasts Graham Clark 14 as they squeezed home despite agood spell from Declan Dunning of 2 for 20 from four overs.
The biggest score of the day was scored by the Chairman's Cavaliers in the third game when Appleby Frodingham's Simon Taylor smashed 68 and Matt Rutherford 67in a huge total of 206 for 4 but a sudden deluge meant there was an hour's delay which led to the decision to abandon the Triggers innings so that the morming winners could play the Final to a conclusion.
That Final saw Royal Kings set a target of 151 for 9 thanks in the main to Jon Stephenson who scored 50 and Sam Marshall of Holton le Clay ( 26 ) although 13 year old Market Rasen all rounder Nick Keast produced a splendid cameo with 16 late in the innings , Graham Clark taking 3 for 15 for the Free Solars along with Dan Hill who picked up 2 for 15 and Mick Barton 2 for 29. The Solars reply never really gained momentum as they fell behind the required run rate under tight bowling from Tom White of Alford who took 3 for 15and youngster Keast who claimed 2 for 21 to further enhance his reputation. Skipper Raki Chander Nair from Owmby and Danny Bullock of Haxey top scored with 16 each but it was the Royal Kings who finished comfortable winners before everyone retired to the bar for the raffle and to continue the friendly banter that had made the day such an entertaining affafir.
The Chairman thanked Louth CC for their excellent hospitality throughout the day , and also praised the four umpires , Ralph Gray and Richard Knapton from Scunthorpe Ass and Steve Massingham and Ian Hopkins from Lincoln Ass. The event had taken some organising following the original cancellation due to inclement weather but it was all worth it in the end , a sentiment echoed by everyone that had taken part.

ROYAL KINGS ( dark blue shirts ) :  Sam Atkin ( Owmby ) , Patrick Hughes ( Barton ) , Matt Baxter ( Alkborouh ) , Jon Stephenson ( Market Rasen ) , Sam Marshall ( HLC ) , Nick Keast ( Market Rasen ) , Richard Woodward ( Cleethorpes ) , Tom White ( Alford ) , Gill Singh Palli ( Laportes ) , Luke Ford ( H L C ) , Joe Taylor ( Hibaldstow )

FREE SOLARS ( green shirts )  :  Raki Chander Nair ( Owmby ) , Dave Papworth ( Market Rasen ) , Dan Hill ( Owmby ) , Graham Clark ( Outcasts ) , Mark Nicholson ( Hibaldstow ) , Danny Bullock ( Haxey ) , James Smith ( Alford ) , Andy McDaid ( Normanby Park ) , Kev White ( Alford ) , Steve Skipworth ( Keelby ) , Mick Barton ( Laportes )

CHAIRMAN'S CAVALIERS ( red shirts ) :  Paul Bassingthwaite ( Hartsholme ) , Simon Taylor ( App Frodingham ) , Ben Marris ( Cleethorpes ) , Matt Rutherford ( Market Rasen ) , Clive Coulthurst ( Alkborough ) , Dave Kilgallon ( Alkborough ) , Declan Dunning ( Normanby Park ) , Tom Lattimer ( H L C ) , Jeremy Evans ( Haxey ) , Cameron Farr ( Haxey ) , Andy Severn ( Cleethorpes )

THE TRIGGERS ( sky blue shirts ) : Martin Noble ( Old Lincolnians ) , Dan Tolson ( Barton ) , Luke Allen ( Haxey ) , Paul Mitchell ( Alkborough ) , Lewis Gash ( H L C ) , Alex Czbaniuk ( Normanby Park ) , Tom Taylor ( Hibaldstow ) , Andrew Steeper ( Haxey ) , Liam Hebblewhite ( Alkborough ) , Alan Dawson ( Normanby Park ) , Andy Fisher ( South Kelsey ).

SOUTH LINCS AND BORDER ROUND-UP BY ANN BOULTON

Boston and Billingborough once again maintained the status quo at the top of the South Lincolnshire & Border League Premier Division on July 27, both gaining 20 points. And Stamford Town moved back into third after beating Belton Park by eight wickets.

Scott Elleray’s six wickets for nine runs put paid to Welby’s pursuit of Boston’s 242 for seven while Billingborough declared after 29 overs on a massive 261 for three against Moulton Harrox who were bowled out for 184.  Luke Hollingworth made 96, Dave Newman 64 and Steve Scott an unbeaten 50 for Billingborough while Chris Beale hit 66 for Moulton.

Cleton Payne made the only century in this division, scoring 103 of Grantham’s total of 200 for three, but this wasn’t sufficient to beat Bourne 2^nd who won by five wickets.

It was a good day for the Birch family as 16 year old Alex took five for 13 in Stamford’s victory while dad Chris claimed seven for 30 in Stamford 2^nd’s Division One clash with title challengers Baston.

Earlier, Jon Morley had made 109 not out to help Stamford 2nd to 220 for four.  Birch’s haul then helped bowl Baston out for 154.  This pushed Stamford up to third place, two points ahead of Baston, with Friskney now in second place following their 10 wicket win over Thomas Cook.

Nick Andrews hit the second century in this division, his 106 helping Market Deeping 2^nd to 216 for four, a total Billingborough 2^nd overtook for the loss of eight wickets.

Blankney opened up a gap over the bottom two after a quickfire 72 from Matt Rhodes, which included 10 fours and three sixes, saw them to an eight wicket win over Moulton Harrox.

Division Three also had a century maker in Mark Johnson of Burgh & District who hit the day’s top score with an unbeaten 114 of Burgh’s 211 for four.  Welby 2nd then hung on to deny Burgh maximum points, finishing 109 for eight.

Austen Imber made an unbeaten 92 in Grantham 2^nd’s 36 run win over Timberland while leaders Long Sutton 2^nd were held to 135 for nine by Lindum 3^rd but went on to win after Rob Simpson took five Lindum wickets for 26.

Premier Division

Boston 242-7 (Azim 70), Welby 85 (Elleray 6-9);

Billingborough 261-3 dec (Hollingworth 96, Newman 64, Scott 50no), Moulton Harrox 184 (Beale 66);

Grantham 200-3 (Payne 103), Bourne 2^nd 201-5;

Woodhall Spa 2^nd 143, Skegness 2^nd 144-4 (Ainsworth 69);

Belton Park 89 (A Birch 5-13), Stamford Town 93-2;

Lindum Ramblers 80, Sleaford 2^nd 84-2.

Division One

Stamford Town 2^nd 220-4 (Morley 109no, Martin 64no), Baston 154 (C Birch 7-30);

Thomas Cook 101, Friskney 103-0 (Grant 53);

Boston 2^nd 211-5 (D Gilding 60, Mitchell 89), Spalding 2^nd 178 (S Tott 50);

Market Deeping 2^nd 216-4 (N Andrews 106), Billingborough 2^nd 220-8 (Garfoot 62);

Moulton Harrox Sunday 150 (Barnett 61no), Blankney 152-2 (Behan 59no, Rhodes 72).

Division Two

Burgh & District 211-4 (Johnson 114no), Welby 2^nd 109-8;

Freiston 201-9, Boston 3^rd 104;

Cavaliers 257-8 (Kennedy 54, Taylor 68no), Spalding 87;

Long Sutton 2^nd 135-9, Lindum 3^rd 74 (Simpson 5-26);

Grantham 2^nd 238-6 (Imber 92no, Abbott 51no), Timberland 202-9 (Blankley 67, Moor 52no).

LINCOLN GREEN ON SHOW AT THE LINCS LEAGUE TWENTY20 TOURNAMENT IN LOUTH

The Lincolnshire County Cricket League celebrated its 50th anniversary with a tournament at Louth yesterday (Sunday).  Players from across the county got together for a T20 competition. Pictured is the Green team, from the left, back: Rakesh Chandar-Nair, Dan Hill, Mark Nicholson, James Smith, Danny Bullock, Andy McDaid. Front: Graham Clark, Kev White, Mick Barton, David Papworth and Steve Skipworth. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST. www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

OUTCASTS v HOLTON-LE-CLAY - LINCS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

BY GLEN SANDS

Fingers were bitten to the quick at Hirst Priory on July 27th when Outcasts took on promotion chasing Holton le Clay in the Lincolnshire League Division One and it took nerves of steel from Graham Clark to guide his team home by the narrowest of margins in a low scoring thriller, the match being kindly sponsored by Scunthorpe Specsavers.It was something of a first for the Priorymen who's team consisted of eleven players that had come through their youth teams and it was a red letter day for Graeme Fletcher who bowled superbly when picking up 6 for 38 as Holton le Clay were bowled out for 120. Fletcher struck earlywhen visiting skipper Holmes was caught by Charlie Mason at backward square without troubling the scorersand he followed that by bowling Sam Ford for seven as HLC slipped to 13 for 2. Fletcher had'nt finished and he produced another beauty to bowl Rob Griffin for four then Lewis Gash was run out following a good bit of fielding by Scott Buttrick and the visitors were really struggling0n 21 for 4. Danny Portus was next to go , caught behind by Mark Fletcher off brother Graeme which meant half the HLC team were out with only 23 on the board. Richard Griffin and Gareth Cook steadied the ship for a while before the latter lofted a catch to Darren Clark off the bowling of Matthew Mellers, then Josh Plaskitt joined Griffin to take the total to 83 , then another brothers combination saw Griffin out for 37 , caught by Darren Clark to earn Graham his first wicket of the innings. Luke Ford became Clarks second victim when bowled for just four then James Rock and Plaskitt took the total to 117 before that man Fletcher returned to take his fifth wicket , having Plaskitt caught by Scott Buttrick for a well constructed 37. It was left to Fletcher to pick up the final wicket , his sixth , when bowling Rock for five leaving HLC all out on 120 and earning the Isle side maximum bowling points. Graeme Fletcher definately took the plaudits for his 6 for 38 but special mention should also go to Liam McAnaney who bowled fifteen overs for just 19 runs.
Outcasts' reply saw them lose Oliver Coulman early, adjudged LBW off the bowling of Luke Ford for just three then with the total on 20 Darren Clark mistimed a shot straight to Danny Portus to give Ford a second wicket , Clark having made 13.Peter Tait hit a solitary boudary before being caught at slip by Rob Griffin off brother Richard to continue the sibling theme then Scott Buttrick and Charlie Mason , fresh from his ton a week earlier , took the score to 69 with some steady batting which was required to put their team back on track. Mason had reached 24 when spin bowler Dan Portus trapped him LBW which brought home skipper Richard Wroot to the middle. He and Buttrick added sixteen runs before Wroot was out LBW to Portus for 11 and that signalled the arrival of Graham Clark to the procedings. Buttrick was very well caught at slip by Gareth Cook for a well constructed 26 , then Mark Fletcher was caught by Josh Plaskitt off James Rock with the score on 91 , leaving Outcasts in need of 30 runs to win but with overs and wickets slipping away ! Clark took command and along with cousin Liam McAnaney moved the total to 104 then Macca was bowled by the impressive Portus as HLC fought tooth and nail for the points. Matthew Mellers struck one seering four only to then get bowled by Richard Griffin and with bowling hero Graeme Fletcher joining Clark the game was on a knife edge. Soldier Clark stept up to the plate in his teams hour of need and with just four deliveries remaining he struck the winning run to loud cheers from his team mates as he finished on 27 not out , clinching a full 20 points haul for his team.
It was a good day all round for Outcasts as the 2nds continued their good run in division three with a third successive win, James Glew hitting a terrific 89 and Josh Bramhill 30 as they set a tough target of 205 for 5 against Broughton who were then bowled out for 87, Lee Gash picking up 5 wickets with Jonathan Wroot taking three and Jamie Arrowsmith two. The victory lifts Jason Whiteley's side up to within a handful of points of third placed Barton Town and they will be looking to stretch their run on August 3rd when they head to Old Lincolnians for what promises to be a tough encounter. Richard Wroot's first team play hosts to promotion chasing Appleby-Frodingham 2nds to Hirst Priory looking to do the double over the Steelmen.

AMAZING SMILES NORTH LINDSEY CRICKET LEAGUE ROUND-UP

PREVIEW OF GAMES ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 - BY GLEN SANDS

Division One leaders Grimsby Town take on Scuthorpe Town looking to maintain their recent good run while Caistor Cougars will hope to pick up a win over Broughton that would lift them up the table.
There is an Isle of Axholme derby at Hirst Priory where top-of-the-table Outcasts play hosts to Luddington. Up the road at Haxey the villagers will be looking to enhance their promotion prospects when they take on Barton Academy Vikings. 
Finally, Alkborough and Messingham play a double header at West Halton Lane, as the former play catch up following a few weeks without any league action.
Division Three has two matches with bottom two Misterton and Upton cum Kexby going head to head at Misterton,  while Blyth make the long journey to Holton-le-Moor's Nettleham Mines ground, where they will take on South Kelsey.

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION ONE
Caistor Cougars  v  Broughton
Scunthorpe Town  v  Grimsby Town

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION TWO
Alkborough  v  Messingham (double header)
Haxey  v  Barton Academy Vikings
Outcasts  v  Luddington

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION THREE
Misterton  v  Upton cum Kexby
South Kelsey  v  Blyth CC


Yesterday (July 28) it was cup weekend in the Amazing Smile North Lindsey Cricket League with three semi-finals being settled and another two being rearranged to August 18 by mutual agreement.

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION ONE KO CUP SEMI-FINALS
Grimsby Town won through to the final when beating Appleby-Frodingham by 112 runs at Brumby Hall, Steve Crossley hitting 56 not out with  Harry Clewitt making 41 and Ross Carnelly 30 in their total of 207 for 9. Then Harrison Hye picked up 3 for 24 as Frod were bowled out for 95.  Caistor Cougars will be Grimsby's opponents on August 18, following their win at Broughton but it was not without drama as the match was abandoned due to a heavy downpour that drenched the pitch after the Cougars had scored 205 for 2, Harry Boulton scoring 103 before the rain brought about a bowl-off which Caistor won!

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION TWO KO CUP SEMI FINALS
Outcasts eased through to the final, which will be played at Luddington on August 25, when they beat Messingham by eight wickets. Messingham were bowled out for 107 with Lee Gash taking 3 for 19 and Liam McAnaney 3 for 27. Then Josh Bramhill hit 50 and Oliver Coulman 30 as Outcasts replied with 108 for 2 - the Priorymen's top scorers evoking memories of years gone by when their respective fathers were regularly in the runs!  Alkborough and Haxey will play their semi on August 18, as a double header when they meet in the league.


AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION THREE KO CUP SEMI FINAL
Blyth  and Cleethorpes will try again on August 18 when they double up in the league following the cancellation of their semi-final due to wet conditions. South Kelsey already await the winners in the final on September 1 at Messingham.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION ONE KO CUP SEMI FINALS
APPLEBY FRODINGHAM  v  GRIMSBY TOWN
Grimsby : 207 for 9  ( S Crossley 56 no ; H Clewitt 41 ; R Carnelly 30 )
App Frod : 95 all out             H tye  3 for 24
RESULT: GRIMSBY TOWN win by 112 runs

BROUGHTON  v  CAISTOR COUGARS   -   Abandoned  -  due to rain
Cougars :  205 for 2  ( H Boulton 103 ) 
 Broughton : 
RESULT : CAISTOR COUGARS win in a bowl off

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION TWO KO CUP SEMI FINALS
ALKBOROUGH  v  HAXEY   -  playing August 18

OUTCASTS  v  MESSINGHAM
Messingham : 107 all out     L Gash  3 for 19 ;  L McAnaney 3 for 27
Outcasts :  108 for 2 ( Josh Bramhill 50 ; O Coulman 30 )
RESULT : OUTCASTS win by 8 wickets

AMAZING SMILE NLL DIVISION THREE KO CUP SEMI FINAL 
BLYTH CC  v  CLEETHORPES    -  Postponed  -  due to rain. now playing August 18



  

MARK CONYERS ON HIS WAY TO A CENTURY FOR SCOTHERN

Scothern's Mark Conyers clinches his half-century at Horncastle in Division One of the Lincolnshire League. Mark went on to turn it into a ton. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

FORWARD DEFENSIVE: HORNCASTLE V SCOTHERN

Gareth Jones of Horncastle bowling to Scothern's Scott Nicholson during the Lincolnshire League Division One match. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography

GARETH JONES IN ACTION FOR HORNCASTLE

Horncastle's Gareth Jones bowling during the Lincolnshire League Division One clash with Scothern. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography

MICK DEVEREUX IN THE FIELD FOR HORNCASTLE

Mick Devereux in action for Horncastle at home to Scothern in Division One of the Lincolnshire League. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography

MARK CONYERS MAKES HIS GROUND FOR SCOTHERN AT HORNCASTLE

Mark Conyers in action for Scothern in their Lincolnshire League Division One clash at Horncastle. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

SCOTT NICHOLSON BATTING FOR SCOTHERN AT HORNCASTLE - LINCS LEAGUE DIV ONE

Scott Nicholson batting for Scothern at Horncastle in Division One of the Lincolnshire League yesterday. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

ACTION FROM TODAY'S LINCS LEAGUE TWENTY20 TOURNAMENT

Jon Stephenson of Market Rasen facing during the Lincolnshire County Cricket League's 50th anniversary Twenty20 competition at Louth today (Sunday). PICTURE FROM LONDON ROAD BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

MAJOR CASH BOOST FOR BARTON TOWN CRICKET CLUB

Barton Town Cricket Club is about to receive a major cash injection to further improve its long-established Marsh Lane ground.

On Friday, August 2 (at 6pm) the club will be awarded £18,700 to upgrade the playing surface by North Lincolnshire Council.

There are three strands to the council’s £500,000 Community Grant Fund: Grants to Individuals, Community Revenue Grants and Community Capital Grants. Community Capital Grants support community sport, arts and heritage projects with grants of up to £15,000 normally available. Groups  in North Lincolnshire Council's area can apply for one grant of up to £30,000 in any five-year period if the total cost of the project is more than £60,000.

You can find out more calling 01724 297257 or visiting www.northlincs.gov.uk/communitypeopleandliving/funding-and-grants/north-lincolnshire-council-grants/

LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER - JULY 27

READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND-UP BY ANN BOULTON

Bracebridge Heath made the headlines yet again in the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League as Matt Carter claimed four wickets in four balls and finished with eight for 30 off 10 overs at Haxey.

Earlier, Paul Cook had hit 81 as his side finished on 215 for five, all the wickets falling to Graeme Attenborough.  Haxey lost early wickets and at the start of the 18^th over were 61 for seven.  Four balls later, it was all over as Carter claimed the remaining wickets.

And at Grimsby, there was also an eight wicket haul as Woodhall Spa’s Matt Sargeant claimed eight for 50 to help bowl the home side out for 145, of which Dan Wood made 51.  Sargeant then completed his man of the match performance with an unbeaten 60 as the visitors went on to win by four wickets.

This increased Woodhall’s lead at the top to 29 points as Lindum continued their steady climb up the table with a 15 run win over second-placed Sleaford.

Players on each side got into the 90s but couldn’t reach that elusive ton – Will Wright hit 97 in Lindum’s 236 for seven and Paul Roberts made 96 as Sleaford were bowled out on the last ball of the game for 221.

Sleaford stay second but are now only seven points ahead of Bracebridge who in turn are seven up on Market Deeping, victors at Skegness after bowling the seasiders out for 144, Tom Andrews taking four wickets.  Andrews then hit 58 and Mehul Adatia an unbeaten 65 as Deeping claimed a five wicket win.

Haxey’s defeat saw them slip further behind Spalding who were bowled out for 195 chasing Louth’s total of 243.  John Medler hit 80 for Louth whose final wicket fell on the last ball of the innings.

But Hartsholme closed the gap on Haxey as they held out for a losing draw at Bourne who made the day’s highest total of 286 for seven.  Hartsholme finished on 167 for eight and now lie just 12 adrift at the bottom. 

Results

Skegness 144, Market Deeping 148-5 (Adatia 65no, Andrews 58);

Bracebridge Heath 215-5 (Cook 81, Attenborough 5-58), Haxey 61 (Carter 8-30 inc four in four balls);

Louth 243 (Medler 80), Spalding 195;

Bourne 286-7 (R Bentley 56, Hawken 69), Hartsholme 167-6 (Brown 66no);

Lindum 236-7 (Wright 97), Sleaford 221 (Roberts 96);

Grimsby 145 (Wood 51, Sargeant 8-50), Woodhall Spa 146-6 (Sargeant 60no);

	P	W	L	Draw	NR	Bat	Bowl	Win	Total
Woodhall Spa	15	12	1	1	1	53	58	120	239
Sleaford	15	8	4	3	0	59	50	80	210
Bracebridge Heath	15	6	4	4	1	53	53	60	203
Market Deeping	15	9	6	0	0	53	53	90	196
Lindum	15	6	5	4	0	49	51	60	186
Skegness	15	6	7	1	1	53	45	60	166
Grimsby	15	5	5	3	2	50	44	50	161
Louth	15	3	6	5	1	45	45	30	158
Bourne	15	3	5	5	2	41	42	30	150
Spalding	15	3	5	5	2	44	43	30	140
Haxey	15	3	9	2	1	23	40	30	102
Hartsholme	15	3	10	1	1	22	32	30	90

LINCS ECB PREMIER ROUND-UP BY ANN BOULTON

READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

July 20

Sleaford gained three points on Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League leaders Woodhall Spa after bowling Louth out for 83 - Sean Morris taking four wickets and Alex Sears and Nick Goacher three each - and going on to win by nine wickets.

This brought the challengers 20 points while Woodhall picked up 17 in a tight finish against Skegness at Jubilee Park.

The seasiders made 277 for six, Norman Brackley unbeaten on 88 and Peter Houghton hitting 67, but even this challenging score wasn’t didn’t deter the leaders who triumphed in the last over by just one wicket, Jonny Cheer top scoring with 110.

Bracebridge Heath picked up 18 points to stay third but, as in previous weeks, Spalding hung on to their last wicket. 

Bracebridge skipper Paul Cook made the day’s top score of 117 before being run out and Hymie Bentley hit 51 as Bracebridge reached 268 for eight.  But Warren Nel, who had earlier taken four wickets, continued in good batting form, scoring 85 and Mike Kearns hit 73.  

Both fell to Matt Bradley who ended with five for 64 as Bracebridge fought to take the final wicket but their was also disappointment for the visitors who failed by one run to reach the 201 total they needed to gain three points for the draw.

This game was also notable for Bracebridge Heath’s achievement in not conceding any extras.

At the bottom of the table, Hartsholme moved closer to Haxey, who still have a 16 point advantage.  At Ashby Avenue, Grimsby’s Steve Crossley fell just eight short of a century and Richard Genge took five wickets as the visitors’ innings ended on 265 for eight.

Tim Brown then hit 60 for the home side whose last wicket fell on 161 to give them five points from the match.

Haxey, meanwhile, picked up only one after being bowled out for 122 by Market Deeping for whom Tom Andrews took five for 45.  Deeping went on to win by six wickets.

Bourne missed the chance to go above Louth after failing to reach the target of 216 for eight set by Lindum at St Giles Avenue.  Saikat Sarkar made 76 for the Lincoln side, who bowled Bourne out for 135, Tom Lindsay and Stuart Turner taking four wickets each.

This moved Lindum up to fifth while only six points now separate Louth in eighth place and Spalding in 10^th.

Results

Haxey 122 (Andrews 5-45), Market Deeping 123-4;

Bracebridge Heath 267-8 (Cook 117, Bentley 51), Spalding 200-9 (Nel 85, M Kearns 73, Bradley 5-64);

Grimsby 265-8 (Crossley 92, Genge 5-77), Hartsholme 161 (Brown 60);

Skegness 277-6 (Houghton 57, Brackley 88no), Woodhall Spa 281-9 (Cheer 110);

Lindum 216-8 (Sarkar 76), Bourne 135;

Louth 83, Sleaford 84-1;

	P	W	L	Draw	NR	Bat	Bowl	Win	Total
Woodhall Spa	14	11	1	1	1	48	53	110	219
Sleaford	14	8	3	3	0	55	47	80	203
Bracebridge Heath	14	5	4	4	1	49	48	50	184
Market Deeping	14	8	6	0	0	48	48	80	176
Lindum	14	5	5	4	0	44	46	50	166
Skegness	14	6	6	1	1	52	43	60	163
Grimsby	14	5	4	3	2	49	42	50	158
Louth	14	2	6	5	1	40	40	20	138
Bourne	14	3	5	4	2	36	40	30	134
Spalding	14	3	4	5	2	41	38	30	132
Haxey	14	3	8	2	1	23	38	30	100
Hartsholme	14	3	10	0	1	20	29	30	84