Grimsby return to top of the table

GRIMSBY Town CC suffered a mixed two days of action over the weekend.

On Saturday they claimed maximum points to return to the top of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League Premier Division, as they defeated Outcasts by 94 runs.

Sunday, though, was a different matter, as Town were heavily defeated by Market Rasen in the semi-final of the George Marshall Cup.

At Hirst Priory, Grimsby won the toss for the first time this season and totalled 225 for 7 from their 50 overs, before bowling out the hosts for 131.

Town lost an early wicket but opener Andy Barlow and Dave Unsworth put on 74 runs in only 11 overs by attacking the bowling. Barlow scored 34 from 30 balls and Unsworth 31.

After Barlow and Unsworth departed, Jack Wilson and Toby Blake spent some valuable time at the crease, adding 101 runs for the fourth wicket in 32 overs. Wilson made 53 from 106 balls and Blake 46 from 96 deliveries.

On a slow pitch, Outcasts bowled economically, with medium pacer Iqbal Singh Deol taking 1 for 21 from ten overs and left arm spinner Bradley King conceding only 25 runs from his ten.

Grimsby’s big hitters were stuck in the pavilion until the 45th over, when Gary Tillison was promoted to number six by captain Steve Crossley and smashed 24 from only 12 balls.

Outcasts were missing a number of their top order so decided to try and bat their overs and accumulate as many batting points as they could.

Opener Richard Johnson provided stubborn resistance as he scored 24 from 79 balls.

Opening bowler Rob Brice proved very economical as he took 1 for 10 from his ten overs, including five maidens.

Johnson was eventually removed in the 28th over, when he was bowled by a well flighted delivery from spinner Harrison Tice. Tice produced his best display of the season as he took 5 for 20. He was assisted by Gary Tillison, who took two well judged catches at long on.

Wicket keeper Steve Crossley kept very well as he took two catches stood up to the wicket. Rory Ronaldson claimed 3 for 29 and Outcasts were finally all out in the 46th over.

The next day Grimsby were bowled out by Market Rasen for a paltry 53 runs. Town have found run scoring difficult at Augusta Street in recent weeks, as a dry pitch demands serious application from batsmen. There was none of this on show on Sunday, as Grimsby produced a very poor batting display.

Steve Crossley was left high and dry on 17 not out as wickets tumbled around him. Market Rasen are an experienced side and they bowled and fielded impressively.

Their captain Will Bradford took 4 for 23 with his medium pace and was grateful to Will Carter for a stunning slip catch which removed Dave Unsworth for 11.

Left arm spinner Matt Rutherford finished with 3 for 7 as Grimsby were all out in the 23rd over.

Rasen won by seven wickets with opener Carter undefeated on 23 and they progress to the final after dominating this game.