WEEKEND RESULTS
A WEEKEND FULL OF BOTTLE
As predicted in the last update this weekend was definitely a backs to the wall job because of non-availabilities and injuries. Thankfully we only had to turn out one team each day on Saturday, Sunday and Monday so we managed.
Saturday - First XI Home to Alkborough
What a game! Certainly not for the faint-hearted. The visitors took first use of what looked to be a good pitch, dry and hard but with enough in it for those bowlers prepared to bend their backs. They made a slow start against opening bowlers West and McCall, being restricted to 25 off the first 10 overs. Things didn't pick up much in the 20 overs after that and the score stood at 95 for 2 at the 30 over mark. This is very much the way Alkborough play their cricket, batting conservatively early on whilst keeping wickets in hand for the latter overs. The expected increase in scoring tempo materialised from this point on. With first Bramhill, a quick-fire 17, and then M. Standerline (44) in particular hitting out lustily the score picked up, requiring the weakened Skegness side to chase leather for all they were worth. Aided by some poor catching by the Seasiders, the Alkborough innings closed at 191 for 8 wickets, a score which was considerably more that should have been attained. For Skegness the wickets were shared equally between Paul West (4 for 67) and Steve O'Dare (4 for 55). The ever willing McCall was again very unlucky to see his efforts go un-rewarded, but as ever he gutsed it out.
After the normal fine tea, the Skegness reply began. A new opening pair of Trent Milne and Jim Butler got the homers off to a good start. The latter was out trying to push the score on a bit and this signalled a mini collapse as Skipper Saddington, McCall and Andy Wright all came and went in quick succession. The initiative was then regained as Milne and Trev Hill put together an aggressive stand which saw Trent amass 85 and Trev 41 before they were both out in quck succession. There was still plenty to do as Paul West went to the wicket. He scored an expectedly aggressive16, including one of the most sweetly struck sixes seen at Richmond Drive in many a match, to carry the game into the last over with only 3 runs being required to win. He was then bowled by the visiting captain Steve Clay from the first ball of the ultimate over. The next 4 balls produced 2 runs which tied the scores. With only a single required off the last ball Clay bowled O'Dare to leave the spoils split down the middle. From a Skegness standpoint a certain amount of disappointment was felt at having not won the match. This was tempered, however, by the way the team had stuck at the task right the way through and had given 100%. From a personal view, this game went a long way to restoring my faith in the sport after the previous week's debacle at Scunthorpe. OH THOSE CATCHES THOUGH!!!!!!!
Sunday's visitors were Wincobank from Sheffield. The homeside batted first. Wade McCall hammered the bowling for 104, closely followed by Gary Saddington with 94. With youngsters, Ali Ainsworth and Nick Buckley also chipping in with a few, the innings closed after 40 overs at 249 for 5 wickets. A daunting target. Wincobank batted willingly enough but the size of the target was always going to be too much for them. Pick of their batsmen were M. Banks who made 65 not out and opener Barlow with 23. With Skegness using 7 bowlers the 40 overs reaped a total of 143 for the visitors. A win for Skegness by 100 runs plus.
Monday's First XI match was away to Grimsby Town. Skegness travelled more in hope than expectation, given that they were without 6 or 7 regular first-teamers. That is not to say that those who did make the trip were not prepared to give their all in the cause and the club should be very grateful to them all for their efforts.
(The following will be a bit sketchy as I am doing this from memory as I don't have access to the scorebook). Grimsby took first knock. Youngster Troy Sylvester opened the bowling with regular opener Wade McCall and these two put up a good effort against some classy opponents. Again poor old Wade was the victim of some less than perfect catching attempts, as the malaise continued, but stuck manfully to his task. The Grimsby batsmen scored freely throughout their 50 overs, amassing a total of 197 all out. The pick of the bowling attack was Steve O'Dare who picked up 7 wickets for 64 runs. The Skegness reply was game but unfortunately far from successful. The batsmen entering and departing the arena became something of a procession. Wade McCall made a significant contribution (40 plus) and he was ably supported by Dicky Steff, making one of his rare appearances for the First XI. When their partnership was broken, so was the back of the innings and it finally petered out at 87 all out. Skipper Gary Saddington was looking to pick up 5 points from this encounter. This was achieved by the taking of all 10 Grimsby wickets.
This weekends fixtures have the Firsts at home to Cleethorpes with the Seconds away to Legbourne in an East Lindsey League encounter. Sunday's visitors are Kirk Portland. Additionally, Lenton Liberals C.C. are playing at Richmond Drive all this week, culminating in a fixture against their hosts on Friday.
Last evening saw the U15 Youth side in successful league action away to Alford. Full details on the Youth Page.
Bye for now,
Steve O'Dare
Page last updated .. 05 June 2002
