Brigg Town Cricket Club enjoyed a very welcome home win at the Recreation Ground to move off the foot of the table yesterday (Saturday, August 20).
Their victory over Messingham 2nds in Lincolnshire County League Division Two West owed much to the efforts of Vijay Raju with the bat and Stuart Smith with the ball.
Brigg scored runs at a good rate but kept losing wickets and finally had to be content with 117 all-out - Raju leading the way with 35 while Owen Dunderdale (21) and Nick Beacock (18) also making useful contributions.
Brigg then bowled out the visitors for 100, Smith taking an impressive five for 14 and Nick Beacock two for 15 in nine tight overs.
Town are now three points above bottom team Caistor 2nds and have a game in hand.
Mid-table Broughton 1sts enjoyed a tonic Division One home win over leaders Barton Town.
Nick Dobbs led the way with 67 in Broughton's 151. However, any doubts about this being a big enough total disappeared as they dismissed the visitors for 95 - Shaun Clark claiming three for 19 and Paul Mitchell three for 23.
Hibaldstow 1sts, in Division Two, lost by six wickets when they hosted Alford.
Third-from-bottom Hibaldstow were bowled out for 133 (Lee Robinson scoring 47) but the experienced Neil Calvert (39 not out) helped ease the visitors to victory.
Broughton 2nds have now lost the lead in Division Three West. They were without a match yesterday but Barton 2nds were in action and won convincingly against Haxey 2nds.
Barton now have a 10-point advantage over Broughton in the push for promotion and have played one fewer fixture.
PICTURED AT THE TOP: Main image - Applause for Brigg Town top scorer Vijay Raju as he leaves the field after being dismissed for 35; top left - the ball somehow finds a way past the Messingham fielders as Brigg add to their total; and Stuart Smith whose five-wicket haul after tea helped Brigg to a narrow 17-run victory. Below - more Brigg v Messingham 2nds images from yesterday's game.
