Lincoln thriving on hard work and experience

UNICORNS ROUND-UP

LINCOLNSHIRE’S perfect Unicorns KO Trophy start has been down to hard work over the winter, director of cricket Mark Fell has revealed.

The reigning Eastern champions demolished

Cumberland on Sunday thanks to Adam Tillcock’s 5-32, making it two wins from two.

It has not just been their bowling that has flourished. Jonathan Tattersall’s 127 against Cambridgeshire was followed by a crucial 82 last weekend in their Group 3 victory.

And Fell believes adding the first-class experience of Andy Carter and former Derbyshire batsman Matt Lineker has given his side a wealth of know-how.

“We could not be happier with our start to the campaign,” Fell said. “There’s still a long way to go but we’ve trained hard over the winter and that has been evident in our first two displays.

“We have a young squad but Andy and Matt have helped both our batting and bowling departments with all their experience, it’s a big positive to have them around the club.

“I have been really impressed with Adam Tillcock’s work with the ball. He had a fine year last season and it looks like he’s continued in that form.

“Jonathan Tattersall as well, he had a decent return last season but he’s really kicked on with some huge totals in the opening two games, it’s great to see.”

Lincolnshire narrowly lost out to Berkshire in the Championship final last season and Fell believes his side can push for the title once more.

“We were beaten by a very good Berkshire side last time,” he added. “But we have been focusing on improving all aspects of our game over the winter and I’ve been impressed with how the team has been able to bowl out the opposition.” Defending champions

Berkshire maintained their perfect start with a convincing win over Oxfordshire.

Tom Nugent’s 3-23 helped limit the hosts to 146 from 48 overs and Richard Morris’ quickfire 66 saw Berkshire home by seven wickets.

Staffordshire made it three from three in the Unicorns KO Trophy with a seven-wicket victory over Herefordshire thanks to Tim Maxfield’s sensational 83 not out.

Shelvin Gumbs’ unbeaten century also helped

Buckinghamshire secure their first win of the season, trouncing Suffolk by eight wickets.

Wiltshire continue to top Group 4 of the KO competition after securing a convincing 122run victory over Bedfordshire.

Half centuries from Michael Reynolds and Michael Coles helped the hosts set Beds 260 and Andy Carroll’s 4-21 ensured the visitors fell well short.

There was an enthralling finish in Newport as Cheshire pipped

Wales MC by one-wicket with Wayne White and Danny Woods steering the north-west county home off the penultimate ball. James Hayman’s 3-27 helped

Dorset wrap up their first triumph of the season – a 37-run victory over Cornwall.