BCC Midweek Estates XI- 2004 (47kb)

LINCOLN MID WEEK LEAGUE DIVISION TWO - 2004

MIDWEEK ESTATE XI review - 2004

After only an average season in 2003 this season has to be the best on record for the Estate XI who for the first time in their eleven seasons in the leagues won a trophy, but more of that later. In the league the team also finished the highest ever, being a creditable third.

The new season looked like getting off to a winning start when we entertained Hykeham. With new boy Will Carter (oldest son of one of our legends Colin Carter) claiming figures of 6-20 we bowled them out for 59. Then Dave Pearse (21) and second son of Colin, Andy Carter (19) saw us well on our way to victory with a second wicket stand of 34 taking us to 46. Unfortunately Dave was then out and at 51 Andy too was dismissed, placing us at 51-3 needing only nine for triumph. From here it was total collapse as only four more runs were added and we lost by 4 runs.

Social Service, who were to go on to win the league, were our next visitors. They were restricted to 59-6 with Andy Carter the pick of our bowlers taking 3-12. Again we tried to throw the game as we slipped to 31-6 but a stand of 29 between Andy Carter (19 no) and Terry Hamilton (11 no) saw us pick up our first two points.

The following week we visited a strong Nettleham side and batting first we posted a total of 97-8 with Andy again in the runs with 39 n.o. Unfortunately their batting order was full of top batsmen (incl. Matt O’Halloran who went on to score a ton against the week-end XI later in the season) and they won by eight wickets.

Again on the road we visited Reepham to bounce back in style. Here we made 132-7 with Kerry Symmons (49) and Will Carter (43) putting on 83 for the first wicket. A devastating spell of bowling by the Carter boys saw us bowl them out for just 20 with Will taking 4-14 but Andy emulating him with 5-6 from 3.7 overs.

The next game yet again took us away, visiting Rustons. With a less than convincing batting show we made only 85 with Andy Carter once again top scoring with 27. When they batted another good spell of bowling from the Carter boys saw them reeling at 35-5 with Will having taken 3-26 and Andy 2-6 but we were unable to sustain this and Rustons cruised to victory inside 14 overs losing only one more wicket.

Into Junior Cup action we re-visited Reepham who batted first making a decent 92-9. Andy Carter again in the wickets with 4-14 and Will 3-37. With us able to welcome James Ingamells back to the team from Uni he and Will saw us to a ten wicket victory with James making 59 and Will 28.

In a season of away trips we then visited Aisthorpe to play Ingham on a dark dank evening. A young Mr Haywood (Mr Blobby) was the umpire for them (well known to many of us). We put them in to bat and they made exactly 100-8 before the heavens open and despite the umpire attempting a rain dance the game was abandoned.

If the previous game at Ingham was a farce the next match, a home encounter with Greetwell (HMP), was more so. They turned up with only six players (including a women) but wanted to play the game. They put us in and James Ingamells and Will Carter put on a record 147 for the first wicket. James was then out for 78 but Will went on to make 104 and we closed at 198-2 (another team record). When they batted one player had had to go to work and only four batsmen batted and they were all out for 10 with Andy Carter taking 2-3.

The next game took us to Ravendale to meet Division Three side Simons in the Junior Cup semi final. They were an unknown quantity but we decided to put them in to bat and restricted them to only 49-8. Andy Carter took 2-5, Will 2-12 and Kerry Symmons 2-18. Some tight bowling by Simons saw us make hard work of it but in the end James Ingamells with an unbeaten 29 and Colin Carter 21 n.o. saw us secure a place in our first ever final, having lost out at this stage last season to the mighty Scothern (who this season would lift the Senior Cup).

Back in league action we entertained Hyder B.S. and after they had reached 46 without loss a superb spell of bowling from James Ingamells saw him bowl them out for 69 with figures of 4.1-0-5-7. Then he and Will Carter took us to a ten wicket victory with James 45 not out and Will 22 not out.

The final game of the season was to be the Junior Cup final at BBH. Our surprise opponents were Greetwell who had lost all their 8 league games but found some “new” players in the cup. Under threatening skies they batted first making 112-8 in a restricted overs match (12 overs). Unfortunately that was it as the game was abandoned as the rains came. The following week a second attempt was made and again they batted first. This time it was raining when we started and the match was abandoned with them 25-0.

A decision was made for a bowl off which was not supported by all but duly went ahead. Will Carter was more than confident and being the first of our five to bowl at the stumps -STRUCK. All nine following bowlers missed and we were declared JUNIOR CUP WINNERS. The team have to be congratulated on an excellent season and in particularly Simon Atkinson, who in his first season as skipper has ensured the side has nearly always been fully up to strength—WELL DONE.