VETERANS IN FORM AS BRIGG CRICKETERS MAKE WINNING START TO THE SEASON

Brigg Town cricketers had to wait until the third Saturday of the 2021 season to play their first fixture. But with a couple of veterans in form, it produced a fine away win yesterday (Saturday, May 2).
Town journeyed south to Legbourne to take on Louth 3rds in Lincolnshire County Cricket League Division Three and secured a six-wicket victory, claiming the maximum 20 points on offer.
Louth batted first and were dismissed for 131, Danny Minshall having Brigg's best bowling figures of three for 19. Two wickets apiece were taken by Nigel Beacock, Owen Dunderdale and Paul Neal.
Two long-serving batsmen then performed well in the Brigg innings, opener Jack Richards making an unbeaten 42 and skipper Nigel Beacock 38 not out.
Coming together when Town were 50 for four, they shared an impressive match-winning and undefeated fifth wicket stand of 84.
Our other local sides were all in knockout cup action yesterday.
In the senior competition, the George Marshall Trophy, Broughton (Division One) lost narrowly, by two wickets, when hosting top-flight Holton-le-Clay at the Scawby Road ground.
Broughton managed 171 which featured 72 from opener Neil Simpson and a middle-order 41 by Russ Blackburn.
The Premier Division visitors then slumped to 102 for seven before recovering through a later partnership between two of their all-rounders.
Left-armer Shaun Clark finished with Broughton's best bowling analysis - three for 17 in his permitted nine overs.
In the Bob Welton Cup, Hibaldstow suffered a 134-run home defeat against Grimsby Town 2nds. Chasing 206 for victory after tea, Hibaldstow were dismissed for 70 - the only double-figure contribution being 30 from Jerry Thomas.
Broughton 2nds also exited the same competition in the first round. Having made the lengthy trip to Alford, they were bowled out for 92 and then failed to capture a wicket as the home side's opening batsmen knocked off the runs without being parted.

YESTERDAY'S SCORES

George Marshall Trophy round one: Broughton 171, Holton-le-Clay 174 for eight.
Bob Welton Cup round one: Grimsby Town 2nds 205 for eight, Hibaldstow 70; Broughton 2nds 92, Alford 93 for no wicket.
Division Three: Louth 3rds 131, Brigg Town 134 for four; Louth 2 pts, Brigg 20 pts.

PICTURED: Veterans Jack Richards (top left) and Nigel Beacock who shared a match-winning partnership for Brigg Town yesterday.