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September 5, 2008
Blankney Cricket Club Autumn 2008
Blankney Cricket Club continue to run four sides with two in mid-week and Saturday and Sunday XIs. In their second season in the South Lincs & Borders League the team were in the newly formed Division Three. For several weeks they were top having won the opening four games before losing their first game, going down on the last ball of the game at home to Grantham. Since then the team has seen four games called off and three lost which sees the side in sixth place. Two players, Simon Behan and Lee Allman proved successful with the bat with Simon having an average of 78 and Lee 52. On the bowling front skipper Ian Holvey and Phil Woodcock are the key wicket takers with ten each. Ian's average being 13.9 and Phil's 5.50. In the field Lee Allman is the leading catcher taking eight while Andy Foster has claimed five victims behind the wicket.
On Sundays' the side has a new captain in Will Carter who had played midweek cricket for the club for many years. He has led from the front in all aspects of the game. In the Premier League for the third season, several players had been lost from the team that finished third last season. After an opening day win against North Scarle the side then went seven league games before their next victory (two being cancelled). They then picked up two wins in three weeks against Market Rasen and Hartsholme. Presently they are in a mid table position with little danger of relegation. As stated, Will Carter has showed his all-round qualities; he and Lee Allman have both scored over 200 runs with Lee's average around 23.00 and Will's 20.00. With the ball, Will is the Premier League second highest wicket taker, with 24 wickets (average 13.38) while he is the equal top fielder with nine catches. Andy Foster, behind the wickets, has claimed four victims to be fourth highest.
In cup competition the club reached the semi final of the Pattinson Cup before going out to a useful Caythorpe side, while success in the Village Trophy ended in the quarter final, going out to local rivals Martin. The Premier Trophy was less successful, exiting in round one at Middle Rasen.
In the Midweek League the Club side had gone down to Division Two and this season was very much a youth orientated side. Although they only won once the team enjoyed what seemed a very short season, with several games lost to the weather. For the Estate side they went into the last weeks of the season with high hopes of a league and cup double. Needing to win their penultimate game at Area Health for the title, they were sorely short of key players and lost. This allowed Hykeham to take the title while the Estate side finished in their highest position of third.
The team also reached the final of the Senior Cup for the first occasion after a narrow 9 run win at Sturton in the semi final. Bruce Donald was the hero with 4 wickets for 2 runs. The final against Hartsholme has been cancelled twice and will now be played at the start of next season.
In July the clock was turned back as the club invited the Squash Club to play them. Their side was predominantly the old Metheringham Cricket Club and although Blankney won the day everyone had a great time. Some of the Metheringham players unfortunately found that their limbs were not doing what they wanted them to do over the following days!
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