By Report: Lincolnshire County Cricket League in full swing following week-two action
The Lincolnshire County Cricket League finally saw some action in week two after the first weekend of fixtures turned out to be a damp squib.
LCCL PREMIER DIVISION
Scothern and Hartsholme were frustrated last week due to the wet conditions but played to completion at Ashby Avenue, where Hartsholme were bowled out for 159. That was largely thanks in the main to Daniel Bothma, who hit 40 not out with 37 from Michael Hale and 33 from Joe Gilbert. Alex Stapleton took four for 25 for Scothern, as they reached their target for the loss of just five wickets, with Will Bailey making 65 and Sam Naughton on 40 not out.
Newly promoted Barton Town opened up with a hefty win against Haxey at Marsh Lane, posting a total of 221 for six, with 47 from Joe Hewitt and 43 from Aiden Jackson. They then bowled the visitors out for just 44, as Tom Smith was the only batsman to reach double figures for the Isle of Axholme side.
Elsewhere, the other Premier Division game saw Scunthorpe Town 2nds beat Holton le Clay by seven wickets, reducing them to 106 for nine. Ben Crew picked up three for 12 for Scunthorpe, who replied with 109 for three. Ian Snowden hit 33 and Angus Evans chalked up 31.
LCCL DIVISION ONE
Richard Green scored the first ton of the new campaign when he made exactly 100 in Broughton’s 184 for nine victory against Lindum 2nds. Tom Lane picked up four for 35 but, sadly for Richard, his efforts were in vain as the Lincoln outfit reached 185 for five thanks to 60 not out from Ollie Alford and 36 from Oliver Houldershaw.
There was a high-scoring affair between Louth 2nds and Market Rasen 2nds, with the latter setting a tough total of 209 for three, only for Louth to reply with an impressive 210 for six. Ian Williams hit 67 for Rasen, while Charlie Scales got 44 and Sam Williams reached 40 not out. John Medler’s 71 and 53 from Henry Tye saw Louth home.
Appleby Frodingham’s 2nd team saw their game against Cherry Willingham cancelled due to an unfit Brumby Hall ground.
LCCL DIVISION TWO
Bracebridge Heath 2nds top the early table after easing to a six-wicket win over Hibaldstow, who were dismissed for 54. William Davies recorded five for eight, with skipper Ian McGowan registering four for five. The Lincoln side then went on to claim the maximum 20 points, as Davies made 28.
There was a similar haul of points for Grimsby Town 2nds after they bowled out Alford away from home, with 35 from stalwart Neil Calvert and 33 from Jake Hamilton for the hosts. Gary Tillison took four for 21 for the visitors before opener Toby Blake hit 55 not out to see Grimsby home for the loss of just five wickets.
Lindum 3rds squeezed to a one-run victory over Broughton 2nds, posting a total of 155 for six courtesy of 75 from Jamie Wardman and 29 from Matt Pickering. They then snatched the final Broughton wicket just in the nick of time despite contributions of 40 from youngster Matthew Oades and 30 from Robbie Glentworth. Noah Jenkins picked up three for 26.
Alkborough against Hartsholme 2nds was postponed due to an unfit ground at West Halton Lane.
LCCL DIVISION EAST
Caistor Town 2nds made a winning start to the season after beating Horncastle by three wickets, as they chased down a target of 74. Joshua Hewitt took an impressive four for one alongside three for 12 for Matt Blackburn. Alex Taylor then scored 28 and Oliver Barrick registered 19 to guide Caistor home.
In another low-scoring game, Louth 3rds were bowled out for 63 at Grimoldby, with Daley Marsh capturing four for 19 before Matthew Mansey saw his team home with 30 not out in a total of 64 for five.
LCCL DIVISION THREE WEST
After being thwarted by the weather last week, Haxey 2nds finally got underway and picked up a home win against Scothern 2nds. The visitors dismissed the Isle side for 76, but they were then bowled out for 39.
Just down the road at Hirst Priory, Outcasts 2nds claimed the maximum 20 points against Cherry Willingham 2nds. Their 78-run win was aided by Anthony Fitzgerald hitting 74 and skipper Martin Davey notching 68 in a total of 201 for five. Graeme Fletcher then picked up three for six from nine overs, as Josh Haywood made 46 for Cherry on their way to making 123 for nine.
Nettleham 3rds had a comfortable win over Brigg Town at Owmby, where they bowled their visitors out for 64. They then eased to an eight-wicket victory, as Charles Patrick hit 29 not out and Odin Thomas made an unbeaten 18.
Scunthorpe Town 3rds opened their season with a nine-wicket win over Messingham 2nds, who scored 56. Town then cruised to 57 for one, with James Ede and Lucy Bailey picking up three wickets each for Scunthorpe, while Tom Brumby made 34 not out to secure the victory for them.
Contact Gi Scunthorpe News
Email us: scunthorpenews@gi-media.co.uk
