WILL BRIGG FEEL ABLE TO REJOIN HIBALDSTOW & BROUGHTON IN THE LOCAL SUNDAY CRICKET LEAGUE?

Although Brigg Town no longer play North Lindsey League cricket on Sundays, Broughton and Hibaldstow still do and are performing well in what is now known as the Mick Walker Memorial League. They both won well at the weekend and are among the joint leaders of Division Two at this early stage in the 2021 competition.

FROM GLEN SANDS

There were just two games in the Mick Walker Memorial Cricket League on May 23rd, both in Division Two, and as a result there are now three of the five teams level at the top of the table.
Sam Brown came within five runs of making a century for Alkborough at Hibaldstow where his team set a tough target of 187 for 5, Neil Gray adding 38 and Will Standerline 31.
But a superb opening stand of 115 between Tom Taylor, who hit 67, and Toby Carter, who made his first ever half-century in senior cricket by scoring 59, saw Hibaldstow get off to a brilliant start. Middle-order batsman Lee Robinson (25 not out) then guided Hibaldstow home for the loss of six wickets, Sam Brown and Jacob Ridley picking up two wickets each.
The other Division Two game down the road at Broughton was another high-scoring affair with the home side hitting 176 for 9 before visiting Normanby Park were reduced to 142 all out.
Evergreen Paul Mitchell rolled back the years when hitting an exceptional 83 not out for Broughton with Jamie Robinson adding 29, Allan Dawson picking up 4 for 44 while Jack Cowling and Kevin Rowlands grabbed two each. But despite telling contributions from Matt Housam, who made 43, and Zach Meadows, who hit 24, Normanby were bowled out for 142, Broughton's Brett Fish capturing 3 for 13, Sam Hayton 3 for 42 and Jack Johnstone 2 for 17.

N.F ADDS: Many thanks to hard-working the long-serving league official Glen for his latest update. Brigg Town entered a second team in the North Lindsey League in the late 1970s when most fixtures were still being played on Saturdays. Town left to take part in the South Humberside Alliance when it formed in 1980, but later rejoined the North Lindsey League when all fixtures were played on Sundays. The Brigg team continued to play Sunday league games during the 1990s, winning some divisional championships and a few cup competitions. However, an eventual decline in the number of players wanting to turn out on Sundays later led to Town withdrawing. Today the club plays on Saturdays in Division Three of the Lincolnshire County League. For 2021, the North Lindsey competition has 11 teams - six in the top flight and five in Division Two. For many years it operated three sections. Hopefully, in the years ahead, Brigg will feel able to seek re-admission and help to bolster the numbers in this historic competition. Due to work commitments and other factors, some cricketers who are unavailable on Saturdays might be able to play on Sundays. There's also an opportunity to give squad members not required for Saturday duty a game the following day.

PICTURED: Brigg Town's North Lindsey League team prior to a Sunday game at the Recreation Ground in 1990. Back row, left to right: Chris Collins, Andrew 'Sass' Markham, Dave Matthews, Nigel Fisher, Steve Antcliffe, Simon Fisher, Matt Mosey. Front row: Andy Sharp, Garry Dunderdale, Garry 'Gig' Smith and Tony Bailey. This was an experienced line-up, with a few exceptions!