Lindum edge the win!

Lincolnshire ECB Premier League – Saturday 23 July

Lindum scrape past Seasiders in thrilling encounter

14-year-old William Wright became the youngest player to score a half-century in the league as his side came out on top against Skegness at St. Giles Avenue.

Opening the batting for Lindum in just his fifth first team appearance, Wright coped comfortably with the experienced opening bowling pair of Wade McCall and Steve Kirkham before going on to make a mature 56. 

Wright was in the Lindum line-up due to the absence of Pierce Morley-Barnes, who has had to miss a number of matches this season due to work commitments. The youngster’s innings was the only one of significance as Lindum could only muster 175 all out in 45 overs. 

Jamie Epton was the pick of the bowlers for Skegness, taking 4-25, including the wicket of Wright.

In reply, the Seasiders struggled with the crafty left-arm spin of Matthew Rutherford, who took a superb 6-55 from 19 artful overs. The fair-haired slow bowler uses variation of pace and flight expertly, and his control of line and length is wonderful, which makes up for the lack of turn he manages to create and why he is one of the top bowlers in the league. 

Rutherford was ably assisted by seam bowler Matthew Bursa, who took 4-54 as Lindum bowled Skegness out for 169. The nail-biting six-run victory was the perfect start for Harry Dunn, who last week took over the captaincy from Dale Christie following the team’s recent struggles.

League leaders Bracebridge Heath made light work of rivals Grimsby Town at Cross O’Cliff Court as they won by nine wickets. 

In winning the toss and batting first, Grimsby were positive in their intentions, but things quickly went sour as they found themselves 36 for 3.

Bracebridge took the unusual step of opening the bowling with off-spinner Matthew Bradley, who bowled his allotted spell of 17 overs right through, with left-arm seamer Brett Houston doing the same at the other end. They both captured four wickets each as Grimsby were dismissed for just 105. 

It would have taken a monumental effort from Grimsby in order to win the game, but as expected the game ended pretty swiftly, mainly thanks to Vikram Atri’s quick-scoring nature. Atri struck 61 from only 49 balls, smashing 13 fours in the process. Grimsby’s run total was surpassed in just the 15^th over of Heath’s innings in a surprising shellacking for the north Lincolnshire outfit, who are competing at the top end of the league.

Second-placed Boston were the visitors to Hartsholme’s Ashby Avenue ground hoping to get another win under their belt and keep pace with the runaway leaders.

 On winning the toss Hartsholme elected to field first, but things did not go well for the Lincoln side as Boston opening pair Jonathan Cheer and overseas pro Matthew Ward compiled 104 for the first wicket. Cheer struck a somewhat streaky 55 before he played on to a Paul Sheppard delivery, whilst Ward hit 78 before his partner, Tom Baxter, sold him down the river and he was run out. 

At one point Boston were 182 for 2, but an England-style collapse of yesteryear resulted in them losing their last seven wickets for just 49 as they were bowled out for 231. 

Henry Rush was chief destroyer and game-changer for Hartsholme, claiming 6-29 including a completely bizarre and, if we’re honest, undeserved hat-trick. The first wicket was a stumping off a wide with the keeper stood back, and after a good catch meant Kieran Evans was dismissed first ball, the hat-trick came when Baxter was given out lbw following a token appeal – the ball clearly swinging down the leg-side!

Had it not been for several dropped chances and generally clumsy fielding, Hartsholme could have restricted their south Lincolnshire opponents to sub-200, but as it was 232 was their target. 

They managed 200 for 6, as only middle-order thrasher Tim Shooter scored substantially. He cracked 6 fours and 2 sixes in his innings of 50.

Boston stay second, and even increase their advantage over third-placed Market Deeping, but they will be disappointed not to bowl Hartsholme out after reducing them to 39 for 2 with Warren Nel, their South African pro, in the pavilion.

Market Deeping lost ground in the chase for second position as a result of their losing draw against struggling Woodhall Spa at Outgang Road.

Deeping won the toss and elected to field first, presumably due to all the rain during the previous week which had reduced the game to a 46-over match. They got off to a flier, leaving Woodhall 9 for 2 early on. 

However, a partnership of 116 between skipper Jack Luffman, who yet again top-scored with 66, and Nic Stone, put the innings back on a firm footing. Daniel Milgate, the rotund Aussie professional, hit 43 down the order to help Woodhall’s innings to 228 for 7. 

In reply, Deeping lost early wickets too. They were soon 32 for 2 and facing an uphill battle. All the onus was suddenly on experienced skipper David Gillett when he came in at 53 for 3 to change the game. Unfortunately for the hosts, Gillett could only manage 23 before he was dismissed by his opposite number, who seemingly only brought himself on to buy his wicket. 

Deeping finished on 178 for 9, Josh Green and Thomas Anderson safely negotiating the final handful of overs and preventing an outright defeat.

Elsewhere, Sleaford defeated Louth at London Road mainly thanks to early wickets from Alexander Sears and Shaun Morris and a superb knock of 74 from captain marvel Ollie Burford. The Russell Brand lookalike and former Lincolnshire wicketkeeper crashed 10 fours and 3 sixes in a blazing innings that took his team to victory in double-quick time.

Having only managed 157 all out after earlier being reduced to 19 for 4, Louth took three early wickets before Burford put the bowlers to the sword. He put on 87 with Luke Hollingworth for the 4^th wicket, as Sleaford knocked off the runs in just the 26^th over four down.

The final game of the weekend was Nettleham against Bourne, but details of the match had not been made available at the time of writing. Anything other than a Bourne win would be a surprise against the whipping boys of the league.   

Written by Martin Shillito 

Follow Martin @shillitoon86

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