BCC Midweek XI- 2004 (47kb)

LINCOLN MID WEEK LEAGUE DIVISION ONE - 2004

MIDWEEK XI review -2004

Having seen the Division One title given to arch rivals BBH on a count back last season the Club Midweek XI were out to amend the situation this time around. New to the side was well known player Ian McGowan who along with Lee Allman (who had played for the club several seasons ago) they gave us both a deeper batting and bowling line-up.

The opening game saw us visit “champions” BBH and batting first we made 100-4 with Craig Toyne top scoring on 38 n.o. With South Africa player Van Derventer opening for the opposition he bludgeon his way to 60 which helped them to a nine wicket victory—not a good start to the season by any means.

In the next game we entertained newly promoted Scothern, who were a well known force in the week-end league. They batted first making 124-5 with Craig Toyne taking 2-34. In reply, having got off to a good start, we lost three quick wickets but Phil Woodcock (33 n.o.) and Ian McGowan (16 n.o.) guided us home with three overs to spare (a result which totally surprised the opposition).

Next opponents were Lloyds who relinquished home advantage to play at Blankney. We batted first with Will Pillinger (34) and Craig Toyne putting on 67 for the first wicket. When Will was out Craig (66 n.o.) and Dave Pearse (34 n.o.) put on 86 to take us to a fine 153-1. Lloyd’s response was never positive enough and they stumbled to 117-6 for our second win of the season. Phil Allen weighed in with 4-30.

The following game was an epic in limited overs cricket. Entertaining old rivals Branston Produce they batted first smashing the ball all around the ground to make 177-7. One partnership saw 63 put on in 27 minutes but this was bettered by Dermot Spurrier and John Giles who then put on 62 in just fourteen minutes. Despite this Barry Porter had tidy figures of 2-26. Needing to score quickly we did just that but lost two wickets for 55. Then David Pearse (42) and Ian McGowan put on 84 in 34 minutes to take us to 139 but the loss of the latter saw the run rate slip and in the end we fell just twelve runs short with the last pair at the wicket - a gallant effort and an evening where 342 runs were scored in sporting fashion.

Next match saw us entertain Old Lincolnians who batted first but were hit by a devastating spell of bowling by Ian McGowan who took 6-5 in 2.5 overs (including the hat-trick). They were bowled out for 63 and we picked up maximum points for the loss of four wickets with Jim Pearse top scoring on 22.

Returning to BBH we visited LAHA who last season had sneaked a tie in controversial circumstances, which in effect had robbed us of the title. They batted first making a good 142-4 with Craig Toyne our best bowler with 2-25. After a steady start we slipped behind the asking rate and with four overs left still needed 47 to win. Paul Ramscarr (56 n.o.) and Ian McGowan (14 n.o.) then came together and blitzed us to victory with two overs to spare.

As the seasons’ end approached the Senior Cup (rd 2) tie against Nettleham was eventually played. Batting first we made 132-6 with Will Pillinger hitting 71. Nettleham’s response saw them look well capable of getting this total but a good catch by Dave Pearse to get rid of their danger man Dave Manby saw their innings slip away and victory was secured by 24 runs with Phil Allen taking 3-22.

In the semi final tie we met a strong BBH at Blankney. We batted first but an inept batting performance saw us make only 69-7 with Lee Allman top scoring on 24. In reply BBH had reached 50 without loss after ten overs but then Phil Allen and Paul Ramscarr came on to bowl to turn the game. Five BBH wickets fell in quick succession and the tie went down to the last over with the visitors winning off the last ball of the game. This saw BBH reach the final where they lost to Scothern. Bettering last seasons runners-up spot we lifted the Division One title for the first time since 1998.