Win Lifts Lindum Out of Relegation Places

The 2nd XI secured a 16-point victory on Saturday to lift them out of the relegation places for the first time this season. Skipper Matt Benson won the toss and chose to bowl first on a very sticky wicket after Friday night's downpour. Angus, whose run-up consisted of seven differently paced and lengthed mini run-ups, made the breakthrough in the seventh over with the juggling catch being taken by Ollie at point. Dan then came into the attack and took a wicket with his first delivery with a rank long-hop which was gloved into Lils' brand spanking new gloves behind the stumps. Dan took another as the bastman's late cut found Gus perfectly in the gully, with Holton finding themselves 40-3 at the 17 over drinks break. Benno claimed wicket number four as another rank long-hop took a wicket, with the attempted slog to cow corner finding a huge leading edge which was eventually taken by a scrambling Dan at cover. After a frustrating fifth wicket partnership, during which Matt Picko bowled a 13 over spell tighter than a rat's nostril, it was Dan again who made the breakthrough, clean bowling the scratchy number five before removing the next man LBW not long after. Picko senior finally and deservedly got in on the action with a wicket of his own to leave Holton seven down with a couple of overs remaining. Dewy came back on to thankfully claim two late wickets, including the half-centurion captain off the final ball, to leave Holton 145-9 from the 50, yet Lindum were left frustrated at not having taken all 10 wickets which would see them miss out on valuable batting points later on.

Aidan and Dave Knowles opened the batting, and despite a solid start, during which Knowlesy played a cover drive sweeter than popcorn coated in sugar, syrup and honey, Lindum soon found themselves 36-3 in response. Knowlesy looped a long-hop straight to mid-on, Adam played all around a straight one and gave himself out LBW, and Gus managed to get out twice in three balls in a quite extraordinary innings; caught behind first ball but not given by the umpire, a boundary second ball, and then LBW third ball which most certainly was given by the umpire. Ollie went in at five and made a scratchy 10, including a sixth career six thank you very much, before being caught at cover off a thick leading edge. Tom Lea went in at six and hit some bombs during his invaluable 24. Dan was next in at seven, and was next out three balls later after being caught at point. The stumps received the wrath of his bat upon his departure, as did the innocent chair on the boundary which was reverse swept impeccably on his way back to the pavilion. With the score on 103-6, another 43 still required, bums were getting squeaky as Max went in at number eight. He made 15 before being caught by one of the three cow corner fielders - it didn't take Mystic Meg to predict that dismissal. 121-7, with absolute MIF Dewy in at number nine to see it home. 25 were required, and Dewy hit 16 of them alongside Aidan who finished on a classy and determined 62* to see Lindum to a vital three wicket victory, which lifts them one point above Alkborough to third from bottom with one game remaining. Dewy finishes the season on 55* over his last four innings, which isn't bad considering he bats with a hockey stick.