Brotherly love will take a back seat

Family honour will be at stake in the Lincs Premier Division as brothers Peter and Jamie Morgan are skippering arch rivals Bourne and Market Deeping respectively this season.

Peter has been a long-staning fixture at the Bourne helm, but Jamie has replaced wicket-keeper Dave Sargeant in charge at Market Deeping.

There was little to choose between the clubs last season as Bourne finished just a point and a place ahead of their neighbours in mid-table. The new season starts this Saturday when Bourne host Sleaford and Deeping entertain Lindum.

Neither local club is likely to challenge perennial title winners Bracebridge Heath, but Peter believes his side will finish in the top three even though they have lost Lincolnshire captain/ wicket-keeper Carl Wilson to rivals Grantham.

Teenage talent Joey Evison will also play his club cricket away from the Abbey Lawns. Evison, who is in the Nottinghamshire Academy, has moved to Notts Premier League club Plumtree.

Hong Kong international Courtney Kruger will be the club’s vice-captain and overseas player, replacing Quewin O’Connor in the latter role.

Deeping should stay clear of trouble especially as they have retained the services of Sri Lankan slow bowler Sachithra Perera. Perera claimed 60 Premier Division wickets in his first season in 2018, 16 more than any other bowler.

Top-notch wicket-keeper Sam Malton has also returned to the club, but Deeping legend Dave Gillett’s availabity could be restricted by an aching body.

“We probably won’t challenge the top sides, but we can beat last season’s seventh-place,” Gillett said. “Jamie Morgan is one of the best batsmen in the league and we hope the captaincy will make him apply himself better this summer.”

Bourne captain Peter Morgan.