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September 22, 2007
Blankney Cricket Club - 2007 Season Review
Blankney took another step in their history, entering their Second XI (Saturday side) in the South Lincs and Boarders League. This was again a learning curve for the club and at times they found the going tough but came through it with respectability although in the lower reaches of the table. They found in this league a score of around 200 was needed when playing 45 over matches. This figure was achieved three times, once against Grantham 2nd when Simon Behan hit 95 and the match was won and then at Long Sutton when they reached 222-7 with Lee Allman out two short of his ton, but the game was lost on the last ball of the match.
The last occasion Will Pillinger hit 103 not out against Heckington as 216-6 was made, which proved a winning total. The most successful bowler for this side was skipper Ian Holvey who took 13 wickets at an average of 24.15. Simon Behan was top batsmen with 400 runs at an average of 40.00. In the field Dave Pearse picked up 6 catches.
The 1st XI plied their trade in the Premier League for a second season but the weather seriously disrupted any sort of form. Despite this the club look as if they will finish in the top half of the league having been fourth for a long time. Captain Ian McGowan proved his worth as the team leader being top batsman, bowler and fielder (5 catches) with over 300 runs at an average of around 30.86. On the bowling front he had claimed 22 wickets at the time of going to print at an average of 14.00.
In cup competition it was one of frustration due to the weather, going out in the Pattison Cup in a bowl off, then out of the Village Trophy on the toss of a coin, after beating Martin in an earlier round. Having reached the Premier Trophy final last season the club were knocked out at the first stage against Scothern but all in all it has been a satisfactory season.
That certainly was not the case for the Mid-week league side with the Club XI able to play just two of their scheduled games due to the weather or a lack of players. On the other hand the side did reach the final of the Senior Cup for a third successive season where they again met Scothern for a third time. Sadly the performance by the team was one of the worst in recent times as Scothern made 134 in their allotted overs and Blankney were bowled out for just 54. Top batsman for this side was Lee Allman with an average of 64.00 while captain Craig Toyne was top bowler picking up 7 wickets at a cost of 16.71.
The club's Estate side, this year, proved more successful than the "Club" XI and finished above them in the table. They managed to fit five league games in, winning two of them. They were on course to win another one but thunder and lightning stopped the game. The Estates side had made 142-8 and had their visitors, Simons, on 38-9 when the game was halted. For them the season closed on a high at home to league leaders Saxilby. The visitors batted first and were fortunate to make 82-7. Will Carter and Andy Foster knocked these off without loss. Will proved to be the club’s leading all-rounder as he hit 238 runs at an average of 59.50 and took 16 wickets at a cost of 6.80
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