Crook on the run for Bracebridge

Andrew Crook stars with 168

The first Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League records to be broken in 2010 fell to reigning champions Bracebridge Heath who made runs in the sunshine at Market Deeping.

Mark Fell and Andrew Crook opened the batting and by the time Fell was caught off Nick Cowley for 148, the two openers had set a new first wicket partnership record of 293 – a record Fell had already held with Rob Cook, after scoring 257 together in 2008.

Aussie Crook, who has played for Lancashire and Northamptonshire as well as home side South Australia, went on to make 168 and half centuries from Jason Scheepers and Paul Cook took Bracebridge to a new highest team total record of 456, the previous record of 435 having been set in 2003 by Market Deeping.

Crook then completed his man of the match performance with five wickets to help bowl Deeping out for 94.

Two centuries were also scored at Grimsby, on this occasion one on each side. Neal Snell anchored the innings for the second placed team with a knock of 104 and at the close, Grimsby had notched up 278 for eight.

However, Hartsholme were in the hunt for points that would take them away from the bottom of the table and 119 from Ben Davis saw their reply reach 233 for seven, giving them a valuable 11 points.

Sleaford’s journey up and down the table continued, this time in the right direction as they beat Skegness to move into third, Dammika Gunawardena celebrating his return to London Road with a half century in the home side’s 218 for eight and Stephen Bradford taking five wickets to restrict the seasiders to 148 all out.

Fahad Masood also claimed five as Bourne claimed their second win of the season and at the same time consigned Woodhall Spa to bottom place in the table.

Woodhall were all out for 89 and Bourne cruised to a seven wicket victory in just 15 overs.

Louth moved off the bottom after Jim Morgan’s 94 helped them to victory over Boston. Matt Crowther hit 50 as Louth reached 263 for eight before bowling their visitors out for 161, of which Alan Mountford made 70.

Nettleham were also among the runs, making 245 for six, Rob Cook with 58. Lindum were then bowled out for 180, Pierce Morley-Barnes hitting 75, leaving the two sides in equal fourth place.