Back to Back Wins for 2nds

The 2nd XI recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season after a fairly close encounter at Rase Park. One of the few games which didn't fall victim to the football in some way or another, except the pain of hearing local Rasen punters celebrating Maguire headbutting one into the Swedish net, we got going at 1pm as normal and Lindum gratefully won the toss and batted. The blossoming partnership of Pricey and Ozzy opened up but Ozzy was soon cleaned up for nine by a yorker while sat on the back foot waiting for the frequent short, wide, cuttable delivery. 13-1. The returning Aidan was in at three and he and Pricey worked the ball around, guiding Lindum sensibly to 80ish by the first 17-over drinks break. However, Pricey was gone shortly after for 42 due to a spinning, bouncing delivery from ex-Lindum man Ruthers and the edge fell in slow-motion to slip. 86-2. Another recent returnee, but a number of years after his 2nd XI debut when he was probably the same height as now, Tom Lindsay, was in at four. He started well, and when an innocuous clip off his pad-strap was taken behind, normal service was almost resumed until the ump's finger was raised to Tom's utter disbelief. He trudged off, pad strap literally dangling off from the impact, to be replaced by Joe at five. However, choosing to play for the spin and shoulder arms first ball, the spin didn't come and Joe was left red-faced as the ball clattered into his off-stump. 110-4 and in a spot of trouble. It turned into more of a spot when some confusion led to Max and Aidan being at the same end and the former was run out for six, before the latter was brilliantly stumped for 40. 133-6 and the all-important 200 was looking a distance away. Lindum's long batting line-up was to be crucial if a competitive score was to be posted. George was in at eight and added 10 before his lofted drive found mid-off with the score on 147. Wellsy and Ollie were in and knew a partnership was needed to salvage the innings, while batting the 50 overs was also imperative to ensure Rasen didn't receive any extra in their pursuit. The two added 35 before Wells was caught in the covers for a handy 29, which brought Elliott in at 10 in the 46th over with 18 still needed to reach the 200 mark. Thanks to some big hitting and good running, the 200 was attained and bettered as 45 runs were added in three and a bit overs to take the score to 227. Ollie was stumped in the final over for 38 before Jordan was clean bowled next ball to leave the score on a very defendable 227 all out and Elliott with a red-inker on 17.

After a well timed tea-break which allowed us to see Dele Alli double England's lead, the focus was back to the cricket and back-to-back wins. Rasen's chase started well as they raced to 30+ within the first 5-6 overs with Jordan struggling to find his areas early on. Joe went past the edge on a number of occasions at a reasonable rate of knots and was unfortunate not to take one or two wickets early doors. After a wobbly start, Jordan bounced back excellently and got the breakthrough - a couple of dots were all that was needed to force the false shot and the opener's lofted drive was caught by Ollie at mid-off. 36-1. 20 runs later and the exact same scenario repeated itself - a spell of dots frustrated the batsman and Jordan's delivery was slapped straight to Elliott at mid-off who clung on at the second attempt. Elliott then got in on the wickets, breaking the third wicket partnership of 30 thanks to a catch by Ozzy, and wicket number four came instantly with Joe taking the catch at mid-off off Jordan. 86-4. The fifth wicket partnership was always going to be crucial with former Lindum pair Rutherford and Christie at the crease, and the latter came out with aggression, smacking 19 from 12 balls before Pricey removed him with a stunning catch in the deep off Elliott to leave Rasen needing 120 with five remaining. The all important wicket of Ruthers came 27 runs later - Tom's excellent cutters tied him down and the pressure was released when a half volley was slapped straight into Joe's buckets at long-off. Advantage Lindum, but still a job to be done. Rasen's 7 and 8 guided them to within 50 of the total before Wellsy made the breakthrough, George taking the sharp catch at extra cover. Bums were getting squeaky as Rasen approcahed the 200 mark with overs to play with, and with Tom tiring a bowling change was needed. George was the man given the nod, and the decision worked a treat as he removed the dangerous number seven, caught and bowled for 30 and then the next man two balls later to suddenly leave Rasen 193-9 and Lindum in the driving seat. Desperate to take all 20 points, the 10th wicket evaded us for a while but Wellsy finally sealed the deal, clean bowling the last man to leave Rasen 205 all out and Lindum with 20 juicy points for the second week in a row!