Town CC off to flying start

GRIMSBY Town Cricket Club made a good start to their Lincolnshire Premier League campaign as they comprehensively defeated local rivals Holton-le-Clay by eight wickets at Augusta Street.

The highlight of the match, was an undefeated third-wicket partnership for Town between captain Steve Crossley and Yasser Shafi.

Grimsby won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first. Opening batsmen Sam Marshall and Indy Hayre took the score to 35 after ten overs, before Hayden Tice had Marshall caught behind by Crossley for 19.

The experienced opening bowler Gary Tillison, who re-joined Grimsby this week after several seasons away, bowled Jim Birkwood for two.

Spinner Harrison Tice replaced his brother and had Hayre caught at mid-wicket by Neal Snell. Left hander Andy Barlow attacked the bowling as he made 25 from 27 balls but was dismissed when Elliott Drinkell took a well judged running catch, low down at deep mid-on, off the bowling of Harrison Tice.

Tice also had Stuart Harvey caught and bowled for 12 as he finished with three for 40 from his ten overs. Wicket-keeper Crossley stood up to most of the bowlers, including Tillison, who was the most economical bowler, finishing with two for 28 from ten overs. Crossley claimed three sharp catches, including his opposite number Josh Plaskitt. Plaskitt was the most impressive batsman for Holton, showing a sound technique as he made a composed 43 from 62 balls. Unfortunately for the visitors, most of their batsmen got to double figures and then departed. They were all out for 169 in the 43rd over.

After the break, Grimsby began their reply in positive fashion as openers Neal Snell and Jack Wilson punished some poor bowling. Town raced to 40 in only the fifth over as Snell (28) and Wilson (26) timed the ball well, hitting a number of boundaries. Off-spinner Danny Portus made an immediate impact when he came on to bowl, trapping Snell LBW with his very first ball. Wilson then fell to Luke Ford as he was caught behind by Plaskitt. Spectators then had the chance to watch the game’s biggest partnership as Crossley and Shafi saw Town home. Crossley raced to 69 not out from only 36 balls. Shafi finished on 42 not out from 57 balls. Grimsby passed their target in the 23rd over.