The end of the Easter holidays saw Market Rasen’s cricketing sons back in league action on a beautiful, is somewhat brisk, weekend.
The 2nd XI were at Old Lincolnians for a re-arranged Home fixture and won by 10 runs. They were only denied the outright win by a whisker, 9 wickets down at the close of their inning. This was the re-formed 2nd XI’s first game and they got off on the right foot by winning the toss and choosing to have first use a suprisingly hard track at Christ’s Hospital School. Rasen made a brisk, if profligate start and 57 for 2 after 11 overs, with Ivan Nash contributing a bright 31 (5 fours) before becoming over-ambitious. This brought George Fussey (13) to the crease in his first senior league match for Rasen. Together with Dean Richards he put on 114 for the 3rd wicket in 27 overs, compiling an unflustered and classy 16 (1 four) and proved the perfect foil for Richards, who put a varied Old Lincolnians attack to the sword, racking up 94 (13 fours). Richards unfurled a wide range of shots, but his cover driving and a pulling were particularly memorable. With both falling within six balls of each other, Rasen were 176 for 4 and looking to push on for the last few overs, but with two new batsmen at the crease, progress was not assured. However, Tom Corden (14) also playing his first senior league match, made his mark with a sparkling cameo of 25 not out (3 fours), putting on 34 for the fifth wicket with Richard Fussey to get Rasen to 210 for 4 after their 45 overs.
Aaron Wells and Tom Corden took the new ball for Rasen and made Old Lincolnians graft for the solid start they desperately required. Wells bowled a good line, with pace and little luck in his first spell, whilst Corden made the most of his first opportunity with the ball, finding some in-swing, and was the first to strike, bowling Mangham for 11 in the sixth over. Rasen had to wait another 9 overs for their next break-through, with Limmer finding reward for a searching spell with the wicket of Rees for 18. This set the scene for Luke Richards to mark his 2nd XI debut in style, sending down a fine spell of spin bowling that repeatedly tested the batsmen and garnering 2 for 42. Rasen’s other bowlers continued to chip away at Old Lincolnians as the match remained in the balance. A pugnacious 53 from Matt Jelly threatened to take the game away from Rasen, but Wells returned to immediate effect to reap the reward for his earlier efforts. With Jelly gone, Old Lincolnians continued to strive for runs, but Rasen’s total always looked sufficient, despite Dowson, Dave Hill and Savage all compiling 20s. A fascinating and even game came down to Rasen needing one wicket from the last two overs and Old Lincolnians needing 23 runs. Neither side backed down and a fine match closed with Old Lincolnians on 200 for 9.
Rasen acquried 19 points out of a possible 20, making a fine start to the Division 4 campaign for the 2nd XI.
Market Rasen 1st XI did not have such an enjoyable time on the North Lincolnshire coast on Sunday, opening their league campaign against Cleethorpes 4th XI. Rasen were bowled out for 96, with Karl Bieirlein compiling 36 and whilst the 1st XI fielded and bowled well, the total was not defensible and was knocked off for the loss of 6 wickets, Karl Bieirlein being the pick of the Rasen attack with 2 wickets.
Cricket returns to Rase Park this weekend, with the 1st XI playing Hartsholme 2nd XI, whilst the 2nds travel to Old Lincolnians again.
Well bowled, Harold! 