Blankney Cricket Club - Summer 2008

The end of April saw another cricket season get under way at Blankney. The club has a full and varied programme this season with at least one home match taking place each weekend from now until September and a plethora of midweek fixtures until the end of July. The club has also allowed the ground to be used by county sides with the Lincs Over 50's playing and beating Suffolk only a matter of weeks ago.

The club's two weekend sides are plying their trade in the South Lincs and Borders League on a Saturday, while the Sunday side are once again in the Lincoln Premier League. To date the Saturday side are top of the table, having played three and won three. At Moulton the home side were bowled out for just 77 with Barry King taking 5-25. Simon Behan and Dave Pearse easily knocked the runs off inside 20 overs. At Claypole it was an equally easy victory as the home side made 90 all out with Ian Holvey the pick of our bowlers taking 3-15 and then Lee Allman hit a quick fire 56 not out to see us to a 6 wicket victory. Then in the first home game, against Baston, we chased a total of 159 and won by 7 wickets as Lee Allman made an unbeaten 81 and he and Simon Behan (55) put on 101 for the third wicket.
On Sunday's the side got off to a winning start in the league with a victory over North Scarle mainly due to new skipper Will Carter taking 5-31 but then suffered defeat in the Premier Trophy at Middle Rasen despite Carter hitting 61. This was followed by a heavy defeat in the league at home to Hartsholme when the team was set a total of 266 to chase. In the latter game the opposition had an Aussie playing who hit 97 off just 46 balls. This total contained 13 fours and 4 sixes, with one of the sixes landing on the main road.

The club has once again entered the Pattinson Cup, played at Sleaford Cricket ground. In the first round we met a Friskney side with a large presence of Boston CC players in it. They were restricted to 88-7 in their 16 overs due mainly to Ian McGowan taking 4-18. Ian then took up the gauntlet to score 24 not out off 16 balls to see us into the quarter finals where we play Barkston.

In Midweek the two sides are in different divisions this season with the Estate side in Division One and the Club XI in Division Two. To date the Estate side has won one and lost one of their two games played. The Club XI however are still looking for their first win. This season the club has bitten the bullet and made this team a predominantly "youth" side with at least eight of the players under 20. It is felt this has to be the way forward by getting more youth into the club.

If anyone is interested in joining the club please contact Secretary Pete Ford - 01526 320016