SPIRITS RAISED IN BRIGG BY LINCOLNSHIRE TRIUMPH

Brigg Blog reported on Monday's trip to Cleethorpes, using Call Connect bus to Barnetby and TransPennine Express train (left of picture), to watch the second day of Lincolnshire's latest Minor Counties cricket match against Suffolk.
Here's a link to our feature article if you missed it...
Last night we received a phone call from an official of the Lincolnshire County Cricket Club  to say we've won a prize in the match raffle, having bought a few tickets but left the ground before the draw was made. Arrangements are being made to get the bottle of whisky to us. 
More importantly, we are pleased to report that Lincolnshire won the match comfortably. Here's a full report....

FROM CHRIS KEYWOOD, CHAIRMAN, LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB

For their third Championship match of the season, Lincolnshire hosted Suffolk at Cleethorpes CC. 
Following injuries sustained in their last fixture, they brought Conrad Louth into the side to bolster the batting line-up and gave a debut to former Market Deeping pace bowler Patrick Brown. In addition, Jonny Tattersall returned to the side.
Suffolk won the toss on a hot, sunny day and elected to bat. From the moment Joe Peck dismissed Suffolk’s Tom Huggins in the first over, Lincs dominated the first day’s play. Wickets fell at regular intervals with the fourth wicket stand of 42 being the innings highest. Only Tom Rash with 33 not out totalled over 30 and at one point Suffolk lost five wickets for 17. They were finally dismissed in the sixty-third over for a modest 144. Lincolnshire’s most successful bowler was Adam Tillcock with 5 for 37.
When Lincs batted they lost two early wickets for 11 runs, but thereafter Jonny Tattersall (73) and Conrad Louth (92 not out) added 152 for the third wicket before Tattersall was dismissed shortly before the close of play, Lincs finishing the day on 177 for 3. Lincs began day two in a strong position and immediately Conrad Louth reached a fine century. Adam Tillcock was dismissed shortly after the total passed 200. Soon Lincs had gained a hundred run lead with only five wickets down and useful contributions from Luke Robinson (24) and Martin Weightman (26) allied to Conrad Louth’s 125 saw them finally dismissed for 307, a lead of 163. Suffolk started strongly in their second innings until a fine catch by Jonny Tattersall saw the dismissal of the dangerous Tom Huggins. The visitors passed the deficit of 163 with only three wickets down and at 242 for 5 were 79 ahead and looked likely to set Lincs a challenging total for victory. It was at this point in the final half-hour of the day that Lincs got a firm grip on the match. A superb direct throw by Tattersall ran out Tom Rash as the visitors lost their last five wickets for just 18 runs, being dismissed for 260 in the final over of the day. Tattersall with 3 for 39 and Tillcock with 3 for 66 were Lincs most successful bowlers. Lincs now required 98 for victory.
For the third successive day the weather was sunny and hot as Lincs commenced the comparatively simple task of scoring the 98 runs required for victory. Kimber and Tattersall gave them a steady start putting on 37 for the first wicket before both were dismissed. Two further wickets fell before the target was reached well before lunch for a six wicket victory. Lincs took 23 points from this match and Suffolk took 4.
Lincolnshire’s next match commences at Norwich on Sunday, 24 July when they face Norfolk, and then they return to play their final home game of the season against Cumberland at Grantham, commencing on Sunday, 31 July.