WHERE BRIGG SPORTS FANS CAN ENJOY COUNTY CRICKET THIS MONTH

Brigg people can enjoy a day out at the cricket later this month. Three days, if they want!
Lincolnshire’s Minor Counties team will be in championship action at Cleethorpes Cricket Club on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, July 17, 18 and 19,  with Suffolk  their opponents.
The Chichester Road ground, whose well-appointed clubhouse is pictured above,  is not far from the seafront and within walking distance of the railway station. It has plenty of car parking space.
True, we have no passenger trains running along the Brigg line while the game is on, but those who want to enjoy the licensed bar while watching our county team in action can get the Wolds Villager bus to Barnetby station or perhaps summon the new Call Connect service.
One of our most enjoyable cricketing days during 30 years with Brigg Town did not involve taking the field. A large party from our club went to Cleethorpes to watch Lincolnshire play Lancashire in the NatWest Trophy. Former England captain Mike Atherton was playing for the Red Rose county.
Lincolnshire CCC would really appreciate your support on any of the three days. If you time it right you can do what we did on our way to watch Lincolnshire v Lancashire and enjoy breakfast at one of the main seafront outlets between the railway station and the cricket ground.
To locate the Chichester Road ground on foot or vehicle, go down the seafront as far as the Leisure Centre, go straight on at the roundabout and then take the next turning on the right. The ground is about 100 yards along Chichester Road, off to the right, and is clearly signposted.
Lincolnshire have just finished their latest championship game. And here's a full report for the benefit of county followers in the Brigg area....


HERTFORDSHIRE v LINCOLNSHIRE 
BY CHRIS KEYWOOD, CHAIRMAN, LINCOLNSHIRE CCC
Lincolnshire travelled to Hertfordshire to play the second of their Unicorns Eastern Division Championship fixtures of the season at Hertford CC. Due to unavailability and injuries, Steve Crossley (Grimsby Town) and Joe Peck (Grantham) made their Championship debuts and Harry Warwick (Cleethorpes) returned to the side. In the absence of the injured David Lucas, the side were captained by Carl Wilson (Bourne).
On an excellent batting wicket and a warm day Hertfordshire won the toss and put Lincolnshire in to bat. From this point onwards until the final hour of the match the bat dominated the ball. Lincolnshire started steadily and despite the early loss of Ross Carnelley (Grantham), Harry Warwick and Louis Kimber (Sleaford) added 142 for the first wicket, before Kimber was caught behind for 64. Warwick and Dan Freeman (Grantham) then added 61 before Warwick was bowled agonisingly short of a century for 99. Adam Tillcock (WI Cavaliers) joined Freeman and they both quickly got into their stride and attacked the Hertfordshire bowling. They added 115 for the fourth wicket, Freeman completing 108 in 105 balls before being run out in the 84th over. Two more wickets fell quickly before Lincolnshire reached 379 for 6 in their allotted 90 overs with Tillcock undefeated on 74 from 78 balls.
By the close of play on day one Hertfordshire had progressed to 77 for 2 off 24 overs. Day two was again warm and sunny and Hertfordshire took advantage of a fine batting surface. Most of their batsmen made substantial scores as they worked their way towards Lincolnshire’s first innings total. Dom Chatfield (69), Harry Palmer (56), Reece Hussain (54), Tanveer Sikander (46) and Steve Gale (42) all making significant contributions as Lincolnshire’s bowling attack tried to keep them in check. On reaching the target of 325 for maximum batting points, the hosts declared on 327 for 6 in the 87th over giving Lincolnshire a lead of 52 runs.
In their second innings Lincolnshire again lost Carnelley early, but Kimber and Warwick again starred adding 99 for the second wicket before they were both dismissed, Kimber for 47 and Warwick for 44. Freeman and Tillcock continued as they had done in the first innings and by close of play on day two Lincolnshire were 220 for 3, a lead of 272. Freeman was dismissed early on day three for 76 off 79 balls and had added 138 with Tillcock. The latter carried on the attack and reached 106 off 121 balls before falling, whereupon Lincolnshire declared on 308 for 7 leaving Hertfordshire to score 364 for victory off a minimum 81 overs.
To many Hertfordshire supporters this was a very generous declaration and their views seemed correct as the home side progressed to over 200 without losing a wicket. Opener Cooke fell to Freeman for 110 and with 18 overs remaining the hosts required 112 for victory. It was at this point that Lincolnshire’s bowlers, Weightman and Freeman, put the Hertfordshire batsmen under pressure and backed by excellent fielding took 6 wickets for the addition of only 41 runs including that of Gale who made a fine 118. By the close, the home side had reached 308 for 7, still 56 runs short of victory.
The points gained from this drawn fixture put Lincolnshire in fifth place in the Eastern Division with a game in hand over all of the four teams above them. Lincolnshire’s next fixture is at Cleethorpes commencing on Sunday, 17th July when Suffolk are their opponents.