BRIGG CRICKETERS WARM TO THEIR TASK AT THE REC

Brigg Town Cricket Club turned up the heat on one of the promotion-chasing sides in Lincolnshire League Division Three at the Recreation Ground yesterday (Saturday, July 17).
In very hot conditions, Brigg's fine all-round team performance saw them defeat Outcasts 2nds, one of the leading pack, by two wickets.
Brigg are now eighth in this large 14-team division, having won three fixtures and lost three. But after gaining useful bonus points for in the matches they failed to win, Town are only 12 points behind second-placed Barton 2nds... and have a game in hand. It's a very tight situation in the top half of the table.
Outcasts, who are based in the Isle of Axholme, won the toss and (as everyone expected) opted to bat first - subjecting Brigg to fielding under cloudless skies and  in the blazing sun.

Spectators and the visiting players all took to welcome shade beneath trees near the boundary.
Three early wickets raised Brigg's hopes of reducing the time spent in the field. However, the visitors' experienced middle-order batsman Russ Fletcher led a revival with an impressive 40 before being bowled by Nick Beacock.
Brigg opted to employ seven bowlers, rather than the usual five, and reduced Outcasts to 152 for nine at the end of the permitted 45 overs - a fine effort in view of the weather.
Danny Bradley came on towards the end of the innings and finished with with two wickets for 10 runs, while opener Nick Beacock took two for 26.
Danny then showed his all-round value to Brigg by opening the innings and top scoring with 46.
Both bowlers who can bat, Vijay Raju (22) and Owen Dunderdale (23 not out) then added useful runs in the middle-order as Town secured victory for the loss of eight wickets with more than seven overs to spare.
Result: Brigg (16 pts) beat Outcasts 2nds (5 pts) by two wickets.

Are Brigg's cricketers now warming up for a promotion push during the second half of the season?
Elsewhere in the Lincolnshire League yesterday, Broughton lost at Heslam Park, where Scunthorpe Town 2nds managed 185 for seven and then dismissed the visitors for 104 in a Division One fixture. Sean Clixby and Shaun Clark both took two wickets for Broughton, while Graham Wilson later scored 39.
In the same section, Hibaldstow journeyed to Lincoln where Bracebridge Heath 2nds rattled up a huge 278 for three in their 45 overs before dismissing the villagers for 131. Hibaldstow's Tom Taylor claimed two wickets and Lee Robinson hit 53.
Broughton 2nds hosted Holton-le-Clay 2nds in Division Two but lost by three wickets. Broughton managed 188 for nine (Steve Johnstone 63 not out, Richard Stone 44) but the visitors secured victory with more than 10 overs to spare.

PICTURED ABOVE: Brigg cricketers leaving the field in glorious sunshine during yesterday's match at the Recreation Ground.

Vijay Raju and Nick Beacock in the field for Brigg Town.

Jack Richards (left) joining the Brigg bowling attack.

Outcasts' David Hobson (left) doing his stint with the scorebook in the very welcome shade provided by tall poplar trees at Brigg Rec yesterday.

Brigg Town players about to enjoy the mid-match interval between innings; an opportunity to cool off after a very hot spell in the middle.

Russ Fletcher - top scorer for Outcasts 2nds - heading for the shade after being dismissed for 40 by Brigg bowler Nick Beacock.