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Lincolnshire County League
Lincolnshire County Cricket League Round-up
Lincs League Roundup - September 8th
With positively tropical conditions seeing the County bathed in sunshine on Saturday, the Lincolnshire County Cricket League's penultimate weekend saw plenty of exciting action and a number of issues resolved, with regards to title races and relegation.
Premier Division
Alford and Barton went into the weekend at the top of the table, but only Alford were able to stay there, as an undefeated last-wicket stand of 37 between Jake Astle and Steve Kempsall allowed Alkborough to bat out their overs for 168 for 9 in reply to Barton's 277 for 8 declared and meant that the Vikings finished the season a point behind Alford, who completed a convincing eight wicket win over South Kelsey.
It had all looked very different for Barton earlier in the afternoon, as Adam McDermott signed off with a destructive 115 from only 116 balls to lead the home side to a mammoth 277 for 8 declared, in only 46 overs. Whilst Steve Clay had made a positive start for the visitors, once he'd gone for 53 from 73 balls, Alkborough's innings fell away and it was left to the last-wicket pair to bat out the overs.
Joe Irving starred with bat and ball as South Kelsey's torrid Premier Division campaign continued. Irving's 5 for 38 was backed up by Alford's spinners as Kelsey were dismissed for 149 in the 41st over, in spite of decent efforts from Patrick Henderson (54) and Atiq Ullah (42). However, Alford made light of the total, with Andrew White (43), Jarrod Franklin (43*) and Joe Irving (35*) knocking the runs off within 27 overs.
With Alford gaining the full 20 points and Barton only 19, all eyes turned to Brigg Road, where only Scunthorpe Town stood between the Well Lane outfit and promotion to the ECB Premier League.
A disciplined bowling performance from the hosts saw Scunthorpe amass 188 for 3 from their 50 overs, with the visitors' skipper – Ian Snowden – compiling an unbeaten 83 from 126 balls. Together with Garmesh Chand (57*), Snowden rescued his side from a worrying 57 for 3.
Caistor's reply stuttered from the off, and whilst Dominic Bishop (21) and Paul Dimbleby (32) threatened to get things back on track, the introduction of Rory Franklin did for Liam Wood's men. The young spinner snaffled 5 for 43 to detonate Caistor's own title ambitions and only determined efforts from Mark Gowshall (32) and Peter Jackson (23 from 71 balls) allowed the home side to bat out their overs, as they closed on 126 for 8.
Whilst Scunthorpe Town only picked up 17 points from their win, the haul means that they now need only beat Broughton on Saturday to take the title, whilst Alford must wait to discover their fate.
Broughton warmed up for their role as potential King Makers this weekend with a hefty thumping at Cherry Willingham. Batting first, the visitors were grateful to Matt Hammond (40) and Sean Clixby (26) as they were dismissed for 102, with no other batsman reaching double-figures. Graham Priestley was the main beneficiary, bagging 5 for 43, whilst Matt Carter picked up 3 for 21.
Will Carter and Matt O'Halloran lost little time in knocking off the runs, with the latter bringing up an undefeated half-century before the close to see Cherry to a convincing 10 wicket win and continue their recent resurgence.
The remaining game was played at Chichester Road, where Cleethorpes 2nds amassed 233 for 6 from their 50 overs, behind 98* from Ian Mansfield and 50 from Callum Robinson. Unfortunately for the Meggies, Messingham failed to be intimidated by the total and chased the runs down with four overs to spare and three wickets in hand, thanks to a century from Shaun Bridges and 46 from Andy Cook.
The defeats for South Kelsey and Broughton consign them to Division One for 2013.
Division One
Scothern had to win to give themselves a chance at promotion to the Premier Division and they made sure of the full 20 points, dismissing Horncastle for a paltry 48 at Coronation Walk, with Ian Brown taking 6 for 15. Phil Roberts shook up the visitors' top order, picking up 3 for 23, but Scothern still eased to a six wicket win.
Bracebridge Heath 2nds kept up their title challenge at Hirsts Priory, defeating Outcasts by seven wickets. The Peacocks' spinners Josh Lee (4 for 26) and John Kerridge (3 for 33) spun Outcasts out for 128 in 42 overs and an undefeated 42 from Andy McDowall then guided the visitors to a comfortable win.
Should Bracebridge Heath 2nds win their game against Cleethorpes 3rds this weekend they will secure promotion at the expense of Scothern and more than 18 points would see them return to the Premier Division as champions of Division One.
Defeat for Outcasts provided a ray of light for Cleethorpes 3rds in their battle to avoid relegation. However, the Meggies' third string, like their counterparts in the seconds, came off worst in a high-scoring match at Appleby Frodingham 2nds.
App Frod batted first and amassed 229 for 3 from their 45 overs, thanks to 102 from Will Theakstone and 64 from Jack Dixon, as the openers put on 141 for the first wicket. David Mansfield hit a pyrrhic 117 in Clee's reply, but the opener's innings found little support from his colleagues and the visitors fell short, bowled out for 204 in the 40th over.
Cleethorpes 3rds also played on Sunday, hosting Holton le Clay. The visitors posted 194 for 7 from their 45 overs, Rob Griffin leading the way with 59 as Andy Severn bagged 5 for 62. Cleethorpes' reply was similar to the previous day, only this time Mike Chamberlain played the lone hand with 72, whilst finding little support to see his side fall 48 runs short.
Clee's defeats leave them rooted to the bottom of the table, but they are now only five points behind Outcasts and have a game left in which to overhaul the Isle of Axeholme side, who have finished their fixtures for the year.
Division Two
Grimsby Town 2nds' bid for an escape from the relegation places gathered steam as they grabbed a surprising four wicket win at Messingham 2nds. The hosts posted a workmanlike 163 for 9 from their 45 overs, which Grimsby chased down at similar pace, crossing the line with nine balls and four wickets in hand. An unbroken seventh wicket stand of 47 between Graeme Good and Sean Wolley brought Grimsby home.
Grimsby Town now need five points from their remaining two games to remain in Division Two and consign Caistor Town to Division Three next season.
Defeat for Messingham has opened the door for Owmby at the top and the Todmoor outfit took advantage against struggling Washingborough. Owmby ground out 145 for 7 from their 45 overs and then bundled the visitors out for an even 100 to maintain their promotion challenge and consign Washingborough to Division Three next season.
Scunthorpe Town 2nds celebrated their promotion to Division One by giving Hartsholme 2nds' own promotion hopes a body-blow. Only Stuart Bell (43) was able to master the Scunthorpe attack for the visitors, as they managed 128 for 8 from their 45 overs and Jake Smith's 53* saw the Division Two champions to an eight wicket win in quick time.
Nettleham 2nds overcame an excellent performance from Rich Kirman (6 for 40) to take a surprising win against Alkborough 2nds. Bowled out for only 93 the home side were not looking favourites at tea, but an excellent all-round bowling performance saw Alkborough bowled out for only 76 with James Pickering (4 for 7) and Alex Willerton (3 for 5) causing the damage.
Division Three
It's as you were at the top of Division Three, with Haxey 2nds and Hibaldstow both winning and the pair cannot now be caught.
Haxey 2nds completed a poor day for Outcasts, bowling their 2nds out for 66 and then knocking the runs off in quick time. Hibaldstow had a tougher time of it at Laportes, but managed to make 113 stand up, bowling the home side out for only 75. Meanwhile, Cherry Willingham 2nds moved up to 3rd with a nine wicket win at Broughton 2nds, as an all-round effort with the ball saw the hosts restricted to 140 for 9 from their 45 overs, thanks to 42 from Tom Reed and 33 from David Tierney. James Gray and Matt Good then saw the visitors home inside 40 overs. The reverse for Broughton means that they could still be relegated should South Kelsey 2nds win their last game.
The only remaining fixture in this division saw South Kelsey 2nds receive a walkover, as Cleethorpes 4ths were unable to raise a side.
Division Four
Scothern 2nds' 'Houdini'-like attempt to escape the re-election places gathered pace, this time with a win at Scunthorpe Town 3rds. The visitors racked up 198 all out, thanks to Phil Cowley (58), Liam Harris (45) and Colin Holman (38*). Tim Foster took 4 for 47 for Scunthorpe. The hosts' reply found them up with the run-rate from the off, but at the expense of wickets and they were dismissed for 109 within 21 overs.
Scothern's win meant that Immingham Blossom Way had to win away to top of the table Market Rasen 2nds in order to steer clear of the basement. Unfortunately, Jamie Fountain's men were unable to spring a surprise, as they were bowled out for 97, in spite of Chris Laister's lusty 40. Simon Bunn bagged 4 for 31 for the hosts. Rasen's reply saw them knock the runs off in 15 overs for the loss of only two wickets.
Morton are another side who find themselves drifting ever closer to the re-election zone and defeat at Keelby 2nds has not helped their cause. Udi Sheikh's flight and guile bagged him 6 for 48 and saw the Gainsborough-based outfit bowled out for 147, in spite of James Cooper (38) and Steve Cobb (37). Andy Sharp (57*) and Scott Bennett (41*) saw Keelby home within 30 overs, as they won by seven wickets.
Joe Walukiewicz smashed 103 as Old Lincolnians celebrated their return to Division Three with a convincing 179 run win over Hykeham. 71 from Luke Jelly helped Old Lincs to 273 all out, which could have been more but for 5 for 65 from Kieran O'Sullivan. Hykeham's reply never really got going and the home side were all out for 94.
With a week of the season left, any two of the bottom four could find themselves in the re-election places come the end of the season, so this weekend's games in the bottom tier will offer plenty of interest for all.
In spite of the weather we are now well and truly past the halfway point of the Lincolnshire League's 2012 season and as a result of the weather there's still all to play for in each of the five divisions.
Premier Division
No one team has yet to stamp their mark on the League's top flight in 2012. Barton Town and Alford have looked the most likely sides to do so to date, but both have slumped to surprising defeats. It would appear that the early season wickets clubs are still seeing - even though we're now well into July - and the myriad cancellations and abandonments are making it difficult for teams to get themselves into a groove.
At the bottom of the table Broughton have found it hard to adjust to life back in the top tier, whilst South Kelsey and Alkborough have had little luck with the weather and Messingham their toughest year for some time as they scrap for points.
The statistics tell the tale better than any prose, as the tough conditions have led to the cream of the division's batsmen rising to the top. Stuart Airey has towered above the competition, and his own teammates, so far this year and he's followed in the averages by two overseas professionals and an experienced hand:
• Stuart Airey (Cleethorpes 2nds) 447 runs at 74.5
• Adam McDermott (Barton Town) 293 runs at 58.6
• Sahan Wijerathne (Caistor Town) 248 runs at 41.33
• Ram Chand (Scunthorpe Town) 246 runs at 49.2
As one might expect, the bowlers have found things more to their liking and three currently stand out from the crowd, with another overseas pro leading the way:
• Juan Grobelaar (Nettleham) 26 wickets at 8.54
• Ross Dixon (Alford & District) 18 wickets at 8.72
• Tom White (Alford & District) 19 wickets at 9.63
With Nettleham, Scunthorpe Town and Cherry Willingham all having games in hand on the pace-setters, it is hard to say who will emerge with the League Pennant in 2012 at this point and we can expect the final two months of the season to see plenty of hard-fought cricket - weather permitting.
| As of 16/5/12 | P | OW | OL | IW | IL |
C |
A |
BatP |
BowlO |
Pts |
| Barton Town | 12 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 32 | 35 | 142 |
| Caistor | 13 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 22 | 27 | 129 |
| Nettleham | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 24 | 29 | 128 |
| Alford & District | 13 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 26 | 31 | 127 |
| Scunthorpe Town | 10 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 27 | 25 | 122 |
| Cleethorpes | 12 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 27 | 24 | 111 |
| Cherry Willingham | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 15 | 75 |
| Messingham | 12 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 21 | 70 |
| Alkborough | 11 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 16 | 67 |
| South Kelsey | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 65 |
| Broughton | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 28 | 51 |
Division One
No division in the league has been hit worse proportionally by the weather than this - with Louth 2nds having lost 6 of their 9 scheduled games to the weather, Outcasts and Market Rasen having lost 5 of 9 and Holton le Clay 4 of 7. Out of 70 games scheduled in the division to date, only 36 have been played to a conclusion.
Amidst the downpours there has been some keenly contested cricket and, at the time of writing, six of the 9 teams in the division still have a legitimate shot at promotion. Strongly tipped at the start of the season, Market Rasen head Division One by a single point from Bracebridge Heath 2nds, who are looking to bounce back to the Premier Division at the first time of asking.
Last year's champions, Scothern, are putting up a solid defence of their Division One crown and are hot on the heels of the top two, along with Horncastle. Furthermore, with Appleby Frodingham 2nds and Holton le Clay having games in hand there is all to play for at this point.
At the bottom of the division, Louth and Outcasts' struggles with the weather have put them in trouble, whilst Cleethorpes 3rds have struggled to adjust to a higher level of cricket so far this season.
With so little cricket played there are few statistics that cannot be dismissed as anomalies at this point, with only one batsman passing 150 runs on the year; Josh Lee (Bracebridge Heath 2nds) who has 152 runs at 50.67 and the only bowler to have passed the 15 wicket mark is; Richard Johnson (Scothern) with 17 wickets at 13.35.
| As at 16/5/12 | P | OW | OL | IW | IL | C | A | BatP | BowlP | Pts |
| Market Rasen | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 20 | 90 |
| Bracebridge Heath | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 19 | 89 |
| Horncastle | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 19 | 87 |
| Scothern | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 17 | 84 |
| Appleby Froddingham | 8 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 72 |
| Holton-Le-Clay | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 54 |
| Louth | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 50 |
| Outcasts | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 44 |
| Cleethorpes | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 34 |
Division Two
The weather has - again - had a massive say in the third tier, with all teams losing an astonishing number of games to the elements. Last year's relegated sides; Messingham 2nds and Grimsby Town 2nds have experienced very different campaigns, with the Augusta Street outfit finding life in Division Two a bit of a struggle. Joining them at the foot of the table, surprisingly, are two sides who are perennially contenders at this level; Caistor Town 2nds and Alkborough 2nds. The men from West Halton Lane have been hard-hit by the weather, whereas the Brigg Road outfit appear to have deeper issues.
As with the Premier and First Divisions, no one side has take Division Two by the scruff of the neck and one could make a legitimate case for any of the top four at this point as promotion contenders.
With the bat four men have managed to stamp their authority on the division's bowlers to date this season, with Ian Dawson pair of centuries putting a long way ahead of the rest:
• Ian Dawson (Messingham 2nds) 346 runs at 115.33
• David Grieves (Washingborough) 258 runs at 86
• Benjamin Ibrahim (Scunthorpe Town 2nds) 228 runs at 57
• Stuart Bell (Hartsholme 2nds) 206 runs at 34.33
With the ball, no player has passed the 15 wicket mark yet, but three have bagged 13 wickets or more:
• David Smith (Hartsholme 2nds) 13 wickets at 7.85
• Jamie Skudder (Keelby) 14 wickets at 11.5
• John West (Messingham 2nds) 13 wickets at 13.08
| As at 16/5/12 | P | OW | OL | IW | OL | C | A | T | BatP | BowlP | Pen | Pts |
| Keelby | 11 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 24 | 0 | 111 |
| Messingham | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 108 |
| Scunthorpe Town | 11 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 18 | 0 | 102 |
| Nettleham | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 18 | 0 | 95 |
| Washingborough | 11 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 18 | 0 | 83 |
| Hartsholme | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 21 | 0 | 83 |
| Owmby | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 18 | 0 | 77 |
| Grimsby Town | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 18 | 0 | 77 |
| Caistor | 11 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 25 | 0 | 70 |
| Alkborough | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 62 |
Division Three
Cancelled games have been the order of the day for plenty of teams in the fourth tier of the league, with no side in the League suffering more than Outcasts 2nds, who have lost an astonishing 9 of 12 scheduled matches to the weather.However, it hasn't all been doom and gloom in Division Three, with promoted sides Broughton and Alford making a decent fist of life at a higher level; with Alford, in particular, mounting a serious bid for consecutive promotions.
As with Division Two, the relegated sides from last season; Haxey 2nds and Laportes, have experienced contrasting fortunes to date, with Haxey putting themselves firmly in the promotion picture, whilst Laportes struggle to maintain their place at this level.
With the bat, no single player has shone in the division to date, as five players have broken through the 150 run barrier in 2012:
• Nick Crawford (Broughton 2nds) 213 runs at 35.5
• Regs Koen (Barton Town 2nds) 190 runs at 47.5
• Neil Calvert (Alford & District 2nds) 174 runs at 34.8
• Jake Parker (Broughton 2nds) 173 runs at 86.5
• Inderjeet Sandhu (Laportes) 154 runs at 38.5
Whilst with the ball, four men have fifteen wickets or more:
• Mark Irving (Alford & District 2nds) 16 wickets at 5.94
• Garry Dixon (Hibaldstow) 18 wickets at 6.56
• Simon Pullan (Hibaldstow) 18 wickets at 7.67
• Tom Brock (Broughton 2nds) 15 wickets at 12
| As at 16/7/12 | P | OW | OL | IW | IL | C | A | BatP | BowlP | Pts |
| Hibaldstow | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 22 | 27 | 124 |
| Haxey | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 27 | 118 |
| Alford & District | 12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 20 | 21 | 116 |
| Cherry Willingham | 11 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 18 | 108 |
| Broughton | 11 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 19 | 77 |
| Laportes | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 16 | 68 |
| Cleethorpes | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 63 |
| Barton Town | 12 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 17 | 63 |
| Outcasts | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 59 |
| South Kelsey | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 52 |
Division Four
As with the other four divisions, the bottom tier of the league has also been hit hard by the weather, with Holton le Clay 2nds' season, in particular, being pummelled by the downpours. Whilst Morton have a game in hand on the top three, this appears, at the time of writing, to be the clearest cut of the League's divisions with regards to the promotion picture.
Old Lincolnians have had little trouble adjusting to life in a lower division, thanks to a slew of signings, and sit comfortably atop the table. Market Rasen 2nds and Caistor Town 3rds are keeping the Spiremen honest, with Rasen yet to taste defeat in 2012.
In the battle to avoid re-election, new-boys Scothern are finding their first year in the league a trial, whilst Hykeham's weekly battle to roll out eleven men has left them struggling at the foot of the table as well.
With a paucity of games and the pitches offering plenty to the bowlers when games have been on, only two batsmen have managed to pass the 150 run mark so far this season:
• Joe Walukiewicz (Old Lincolnians) 236 runs at 47.2
• Matt Gleadall (Morton) 189 runs at 63
Whilst four men have passed the thirteen wicket mark already this season:
• Andy Fletcher (Old Lincolnians) 13 wickets at 7.08
• Ryan Farrow (Caistor Town 3rds) 13 wickets at 8.08
• Terry McKitton (Caistor Town 3rds) 14 wickets at 9.21
• Richard Chester (Old Lincolnians) 13 wickets at 10.38
| As at 16/7/12 | P | OW | OL | IW | IL | C | A | LCN | WCN | BatP | BowlP | Pts |
| Old Lincolnians | 11 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 30 | 128 |
| Market Rasen | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 21 | 112 |
| Caistor | 11 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 25 | 100 |
| Morton | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 85 |
| Keelby | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 20 | 85 |
| Immingham | 11 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 21 | 82 |
| Scuthorpe Town | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 21 | 72 |
| Holton-Le-Clay | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 72 |
| Hykeham | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 45 |
| Scothern | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 42 |