Ramblers March On

The 2nd XI extended their unbeaten run to four games with a third win of the season, this time over Market Rasen at the LCG. Skipper Benno finally won a home toss and made the tricky decision to bat first, despite the wet build-up and overcast conditions. David Spokes, or Spooks according to Max, opened up with Lils and the latter fell early, slapping a full toss straight into the hands of the cover fielder for one. Spooks went not long after, snicking an away swinger into the hands of the 'keeper with the score on single figures for two. Ollie and Euan somewhat steadied the ship before Ollie was stumped for nine off the returning, cunning, horrible-to-face Ruthers. Euan was caught in the same over for ten, which brought Grant and Angus together with a partnership needed to guide Lindum through the middle overs. The two did a superb job, batting very much against their instincts to build a platform going into the final overs before Angus was bowled for 14. Grant's dismissal was comical. Ruthers had one delivery left of his spell, all he had to do was see it out and see which slightly less able bowler came on to replace him. Grant chose to shoulders arms, completely removing the risk of being caught, but forgetting the risk that the ball might not turn and in fact cannon into his off stump, which is exactly what happened. He went for a vital 44, which handed Dan and Max a bit of a licence in the last few overs, which they took full advantage of. Dan made 41, including a couple of sixes before being stumped off the final ball of the innings, while Max made nine from 10 balls. After being 83-5 from 40, Lindum finished on 142-7 from the 50, proving the vital importance of batting out the overs - the tail enders were in complete shock that they weren't in in the 25th over, never mind didn't get to bat.

The chase went right down to the wire, with every result possible until the penultimate ball of the innings. Dan made the initial breakthrough with an LBW, before three wickets from Dewy really brought Lindum into the game with smart catches being taken by Benno, Picko senior and Max. Pickerings junior and middle then got in on the action with a caught behind off Angus' bowling, before a partnership from Rasen started to pull the game in their favour. However, a vital run out from Adam turned the tide, with Euan being polaxed in the process as the dismissed batsman tried in vain to make his ground. Lindum then all but assured victory as Dan claimed the vital wicket of Ruthers, again caught behind by Euan for 47. Benno then took two wickets and also dropped one which Stevie Wonder would've taken easily, leaving Rasen nine down with a couple of overs still to play. It came down to them requiring eight off the final ball, and with ten men around the bat, the batsman kept the delivery out and Lindum had to settle for a 16 point victory, but a victory nonetheless.