SOUTH LINCS & BORDER CRICKET LEAGUE UPDATE BY ANN BOULTON

Stamford Town got their South Lincolnshire & Border League season off to a good start with a nine wicket win over Sleaford 2^nd that gained them 19 points while Boston won their second game in a row to go top of the table with 38 points after rivals Bourne 2^nd and Grantham were rained off.

Tom Baxter hit an unbeaten 127 of Boston’s 246 for six, but it was Paul Roberts who was the main architect of the victory over Moulton Harrox, hitting 61 runs and taking six wickets as Moulton were bowled out for 95.

Sleaford made 155 for nine against Stamford but an unbeaten 53 from David Piggott saw his side home.

These were the only two games played in the top flight but in Division One four of the five were completed with only Grantham 2^nd v Baston rained off.

Market Deeping 2^nd top the table with maximum points from their two games while Billingborough 2^nd, Boston 2^nd and Long Sutton 2^nd have each taken the maximum 20 from their first match.

After Heckington’s huge score of the previous week, the village side were brought back down to earth with a meagre total of 50 all out, a total Market Deeping reached for the loss of three wickets.

Boston enjoyed a similar win over Woodlands who were bowled out for 67, Boston claiming a five wicket victory.  And in another low scoring game, Billingborough beat Cavaliers, who were all out for 80, by nine wickets, Chris King with 60 for Billingborough.

Mitch Griffiths made 66 for Friskney who had 147 on the board when the final wicket fell and Spalding 2^nd were made to fight hard for their win, losing seven wickets before an unbeaten 57 from Ansar Hussain saw them home.

Both Saturday games in Division two were rained off but on Sunday Lindum 3^rd, Claypole and Freiston got their campaigns off to a good start, Lindum beating Pinchbeck by five wickets,  Luke Endley making 79 runs and taking eight wickets in Claypole’s win over Boston 3^rd and Freiston overtaking Moulton Harrox 2^nd total of 140 for the loss of four wickets.

Premier Division

Boston 246-6 (Roberts 61, Tom Baxter 127no); Moulton Harrox 95 (Roberts 6-10);

Sleaford 2^nd 155-9, Stamford 161-1 (Piggott 53no);

Long Sutton v Grantham – rained off, no play

Welby v Skegness 2^nd – rained off, no play

Woodhall Spa 2^nd v Bourne 2nd – rained off, no play

Lindum Ramblers v Belton Park – rained off, no play

Division One

Heckington 50, Market Deeping 2nd 53-3;

Woodlands 67, Boston 2^nd 68-5;

Cavaliers 80, Billingborough 2^nd 81-1 (King 60no);

Friskney 147 (Griffiths 66), Spalding 2^nd 149-7 (Hussain 57no);

Grantham 2^nd v Baston – rained off, no play

Division Two

Belton Park 2^nd v Burgh & District – rained off, no play

Grantham 3^rd v Timberland – rained off, no play

Pinchbeck 60, Lindum 3^rd 61-5;

Claypole 268-6 (Dobbie 78no, Endley 79), Boston 3^rd 73 (Endley 8-28);

Moulton Harrox 140 (Jake Morton 57no); Freiston 142-4 (I Ilyas 65)

CAISTOR WELCOME KEEPER FROM NEW ZEALAND

Caistor first team captain Gareth Johnson, right, welcoming new Zealand wicketkeeper Lane Tutty to the Brigg Road ground. PICTURE FROM WES ALLISON.

CAISTOR FIRST TEAM - LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Caistor 1st XI  - members of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League premier division. PICTURE FROM WES ALLISON.

BIG SIX FROM TOM CUTHBERT FOR SKEGNESS

Tom Cuthbert of Skegness hits Matthew Carter for six at Cross O'Cliff Court. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

SKEGGY SKIPPER IN ACTION

Skegness captain Norman Brackley on his way to 21 runs during his team's defeat at Bracebridge Heath. PICTURES BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

BELOW: Skegness captain Norman Brackley (left) and Sean Chamberlain discuss tactics between overs during their 45-run partnership at Bracebridge Heath.

MATTHEW CARTER CLAIMS SIX WICKETS AGAINST SKEGNESS

Matthew Carter on his way to a six-wicket haul for Bracebridge Heath 2nds against Skegness at Cross O'Cliff Court. PICTURES BY NIGEL WEST. www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography

SKEGNESS BATTING AT BRACEBRIDGE HEATH

Skegness batsman Sean Chamberlain was his side's top scorer with 43 at Bracebridge Heath last Saturday. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

MATTHEW BRADLEY FIELDING FOR BRACEBRIDGE HEATH

Bracebridge Heath's Matthew Bradley in action at Cross O'Cliff Court. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

NETTLEHAM 2NDS - LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE

Nettleham 2nds, who played Cleethorpes 3rds on Saturday, April 26th at Mulsanne Park.  From the left, back row: Ash Graham, James White, Chris Dobbs, Chris Smith, Phil Brown, David Hutchinson. Front row: Lewis Bromfield, Deklan Binnington, Simon Behan, Alex Bendy and Colin Woolfson. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST. www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE APRIL 26, 2014 ROUND-UP BY ANN BOULTON

Four games survived what had threatened to be a washed-out Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League programme with Bracebridge Heath finishing the weekend top of the table as the only team with maximum points from their first two games.

Spalding emerged as the league’s dark horses with victory over Lindum which gave them 35 points from their two games, just one behind champions Sleaford.

Despite the weather, the day produced two centuries, Tim McIntosh top scoring with 133 in Sleaford’s winning draw with Billingborough and Jamie Morgan hitting 121 to take Market Deeping to victory at Skegness.

At Spalding, Warren Nel added an unbeaten 62 runs to last weekend’s century while Thivanka Rajaratne hit 60.  The Sri Lankan, now a UK resident, had earlier taken three wickets to help bowl Lindum out for 142 in the 50^th over of their innings, Charlie Kearns claimed early Lindum wickets to leave the visitors seven for three.

Luke Robinson came out to hit 28 but it was Tom Lindsay and Richard Bishop who added respectability to the score, taking Lindum from 62 for seven to 134 before Bishop became Kearns fourth victim for 34.

Lindsay went on to make 46 and was last man out with four balls of the innings remaining before taking the catch off Jon Miller’s bowling that dismissed Rajaratne whose 60 came off 56 balls.  But this was Lindum’s sole success as Nel and Josh Newton saw Spalding to victory.

Grimsby’s youthful team were up against the experience of a strong Bracebridge Heath line-up but nevertheless managed to bat out their overs – reduced to 42 after a late start.

Stalwart Lee Charlton top scored with 30 and Maninder Singh hit 23 before the final wicket fell on the last ball with the total on 126, Matt Bradley claiming four wickets.

Nick John and Vikram Atri opened for Bracebridge and despite the efforts of the Grimsby bowlers took the visitors to victory, Atri with 72 off 70 balls and John 44.

Skegness denied Market Deeping full points by hanging on to their last wicket, making 166 for nine in an innings reduced to 40 overs, skipper Norman Brackley hitting 61 and Paul Butler 44.

But the seasiders found themselves up against an in-form Jamie Morgan whose 121 saw Deeping to an eight wicket win.

At Sleaford, Billingborough won the toss and elected to bowl only to find that, after his low score the previous week, Tim McIntosh had regained his form.  The New Zealander batted through to make 133 and was ably supported by up-and-coming junior Louis Kimber with 56.

Sleaford finished on 259 for four but couldn’t seal victory as a determined Billingborough hung on to make 185 for nine, Jonathan Miles hitting 53.

The games at Bourne and Market Rasen were called off because of waterlogged grounds.

Results

Lindum 142, Spalding 148-1 (Rajaratne 60, Nel 62no);

Grimsby 126, Bracebridge Heath 127-0 (Atri 72);

Skegness 166-9 (Brackley 61), Market Deeping 167-2 (Morgan 121);

Sleaford 259-4 (McIntosh 133no, Kimber 56), Billingborough 185-9 (Miles 53);

P W L Draw NR Bat Bowl Win Total Bracebridge Heath 2 2 0 0 0 10 10 20 40 Sleaford 2 1 0 1 0 8 9 10 36 Spalding 2 1 0 1 0 10 8 10 35 Market Deeping 2 1 0 1 0 7 7 10 27 Bourne 2 1 0 0 1 5 5 10 25 Woodhall Spa 2 1 0 0 1 5 5 10 25 Louth 2 0 0 1 1 5 4 0 23 Billingborough 2 0 1 1 0 5 4 0 10 Grimsby 2 0 1 1 0 3 5 0 9 Lindum 2 0 2 0 0 4 5 0 9 Skegness 2 0 2 0 0 3 4 0 7 Market Rasen 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 5

BRIGG TOWN TIE AT BROUGHTON 2nds IN LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

Brigg Town played their first game yesterday since rejoining the Lincolnshire County Cricket League. And the division four match at Broughton 2nds ended in a tie.

Phil Glentworth, left, and Dave "Geordie" Rudd who opened the batting for Broughton 2nds against Brigg. Skipper Dave top scored with 36 in his side's innings.

RHETT BRIDGENS IN ACTION FOR NETTLEHAM v HAXEY IN LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE

Overseas player Rhett Bridgens in action for Nettleham at home to Haxey in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League premier division. He finished with one  for 20 off ten overs, including four maidens. PICTURE BY NIGEL WEST.  www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography 

READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE APRIL 19, 2014

READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE - APRIL 19 - 

BY ANN BOULTON

One century, a six wicket haul and an innings that topped 300 were the highlights of the opening day of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League programme.

Spalding’s Warren Nel hit the lone century, an unbeaten 116 in a tight game against Market Deeping, Matt Carter continued where he left off last season with six wickets for Bracebridge Heath and Bourne unveiled a strong batting line-up that made 303 for eight off 50 overs.

The closest game of the day came at Lindum where Sleaford – notorious for their disastrous early-season starts – were the visitors.

Put into bat, the champions struggled to build any sizeable partnerships despite skipper Oliver Burford’s 44 and 31 from Kurt Colyn.  The final wicket fell on 196 in the penultimate over with Jon Miller and Luke Robinson each taking three wickets.

The home side had similar problems until, at 66 for four, Robinson was joined by Tom Lindsay in a stand of 64 which turned the game Lindum’s way.

But Tim McIntosh, who had earlier been dismissed for nine, broke the partnership and went on to take two more wickets and with eight down, Lindum still needed 46 for victory. 

The lower order chipped away at the total but with 183 on the board, McIntosh took his fourth wicket to give Sleaford a 13 run win.

Nel’s ton contributed to the highest scoring game of the day at Spalding where over 500 runs came.  Batting first, Spalding notched up 258 for eight, Josh Newton contributing 58 in a second wicket partnership of 118 with Nel.

Market Deeping’s reply also started well, Chris Jones and Jamie Morgan putting on 99 for the first wicket.  Both fell on this score but Alex Wheatley built on the good start, ably assisted by Lee Peacock and Tom Andrews.

Two wickets for Charlie Kearns gave Spalding hope of an outright win but Deeping continued to narrow the gap until the overs ran out with the score just 14 short of the target, Wheatley finishing unbeaten on 65.

Market Rasen suffered a setback before their season even started when three players were involved in a collision on the way to Jubilee Park.  Fortunately there were no injuries but the league newcomers then ran into the talents of all-rounder Ben O’Brien who took five for 46 as Rasen were all out for 116, Sebastian Darke top scoring with 31.

Woodhall’s first wicket fell on 74 and it was O’Brien who took his side to an eight wicket victory with an unbeaten 25.

Brett Houston hit 80 and Hymie Bentley 45 to lift Bracebridge Heath from 40 for two to 138 against Skegness.  Chasing a final score of 249 for nine, Skegness lost two early wickets to Cameron Hall but it was the introduction of Carter to the attack that was the undoing of Skegness.

After Sean Chamberlain had hit 43, Carter’s six wickets reduced the visitors from 90 for four to 132 all out.

At Louth, Laurence Scott almost made it two centuries on the first day but had to be content with 98.  Scott held the Louth innings together after the first three wickets went for 18 runs, Danny Cliffe claiming two victims.  Assisted by the middle order, Scott batted on to take his side to 227, the final wicket falling on the last ball.

Grimsby got off to a better start despite losing a wicket on seven, Cerri James making 31 and Maninder Singh batting steadily.  Daniel Mawer contributed 25 but three quick wickets for Arran Brindle put the visitors on the back foot.  However, the lower order hung on to support Singh who finished unbeaten on 64 as Grimsby claimed valuable extra points on 161 for nine.

Three half centuries contributed to Bourne’s 303 for eight at newcomers Billingborough.  Pete Morgan hit 83, Stuart Airey 59, Carl Wilson 53 and Conrad Louth while Billingborough got off a reasonable start, reaching 55 for one.  From here, the home side were unable to build any sizeable partnerships and the final wicket fell on 162.

Results

Sleaford 196, Lindum 183 (Robinson 51);

Market Rasen 116 (O’Brien 5-46), Woodhall Spa 119-2;

Bracebridge Heath 249-9 (Houston 80), Skegness 132 (M Carter 6-39);

Bourne 303-8 (Morgan 83, Airey 59, Wilson 53), Billingborough 162;

Spalding 258-8 (Nel 116no, Newton 58), Market Deeping 244-7 (Jones 53, Wheatley 65no);

Louth 227 (Scott 98), Grimsby 161-9 (Singh 64no).

HAXEY BATTING TODAY AT NETTLEHAM IN LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE PREMIER

Oliver Tonks on his way to 21 from 28 balls for Haxey at Nettleham's Mulsanne Park in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League premier division today (Saturday, April 19, 2014). Haxey made 149 all out off 42.4 overs. ACTION PICTURE TAKEN BY NIGEL WEST.  View more of his pictures at www.photoboxgallery.com/nigelwestphotography

LASHINGS All STARS TO DESCEND ON CLEETHORPES CRICKET CLUB

FROM BEN PEACOCK, CLEETHORPES CRICKET CLUB

Cleethorpes Cricket Club can confirm that the Lashings All Stars XI will play a fixture against the Yorkshire League club this season.

After months of negotiations the Club's Executive committee voted unanimously to invite the star studied club to their Chichester Road ground for a match that will take place on

Wednesday 30th July 2014 and will be one of Lincolnshire sport's greatest ever events.

Lashings officials visited the ground for a meeting recently and were delighted at what they saw and the vision given to them for the day by the club's newly formed Lashings Committee.

Lashings, likened to the famous basketball side the Harlem Globetrotters, will guarantee to bring at least 11 international cricketers to the fixture with the likes of Courtney Walsh and Gordon Greenidge being regulars. (More names to follow once confirmed)

Club chairman Andy Haith said: “We are delighted to make this announcement. It promises to be a magnificent day and I know every member is looking forward to welcoming such cricketing greats to our ground and facilities. In a contract between ourselves and Lashings it is guaranteed that 11 past and present international cricketers will play.”

Cricket Chairman Paul Hewstone added “ It takes a lot of hard work by a lot of people to be able to  hold such a prestigious event and just shows why we are recognized as the Premier Cricket Club in the area, I am sure this will be a fantastic occasion not just for the club but for the whole area “ 

The club will now be on the lookout for main sponsors for the day as well as selling corporate tickets for the event where guests will get the opportunity to eat with the players and officials of Lashings prior to the afternoon match and bid for some highly unusual sporting memorabilia.

Mr Haith added: “It is a going to be a huge effort from all involved and I will urge any cricket lovers to make sure they book the date in their diaries to ensure they don't miss out.”

Corporate Packages currently available as follows:-

• Table of Ten with All Star Lashings Player - £500.00 + Vat  (Table of Ten)
• Table of Ten without Player - £400.00 + Vat (Table of Ten)
• Individual Corporate Places -  £40.00 +   Vat

For Further information please contact : - Dean Cressey/David Osmond (Event Organisers)

dcressey@tiscali.co.uk  dosmond56@googlemail.com

OUTCASTS RECRUITING AND LOOKING FOR ASSISTANT TO GROUNDSMAN

Outcasts Cricket Club is hoping to attract new " young blood " and with that in mind has sent out the above flyer to local schools, etc.  We would also like to ask if anyone fancies some voluntary work in assisting our groundsman Sean McAnaney.