Appleby end up in third place

Two outstanding issues were decided on the final Saturday of a truly absorbing season in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League.

In Division One, Appleby-Frodingham 2nds failed to secure the victory they needed at home to mid-table Scothern to clinch runners-up spot – which is now taken by Scunthorpe Town.

Scothern, with Richard Johnson posting a half-century, rattled up a big score to dash the Scunthorpe Steelmen's hopes, although Mick Powell managed a hat-trick for the beaten side.

In Division Three, second-placed Haxey 2nds lost by 44 runs away to lowly Cherry Willingham 2nds, as spinner Matt Spikings bagged seven wickets.

Haxey's defeat, and mere five-point haul, means leaders Outcasts 2nds were crowned champions. Haxey's consolation is a promotion spot.

Division Four promotion-chasers South Kelsey 2nds lost by six wickets at home to Hykeham 2nds.

That gave Grimsby team Stamford Homes the chance to take second spot, depending on the outcome of the very last match played anywhere in the Lincs League – away to Alford 2nds, themselves trying to sneak out of the re-election zone.

In the Premier Division, Harry Smith cracked a century for Horncastle but finished up on the losing side in a high-scoring game at Bracebridge Heath 2nds, whose Dave Whapplington came very close to a three-figure innings.

The only other top-flight fixture saw Alford – already facing a return to Division One – winning their home game against Barton Town, Wayne Garlick and Tom Stocks both passing 50 in a winning cause.

In Division One, champions Cleethorpes 3rds ended their programme with a 10-run home defeat at the hands of mid-table Outcasts, while already-relegated Alkborough beat Holton-le-Clay by two wickets.

Division Two champions Louth 2nds triumphed by seven wickets at Market Rasen, Rakesh Chandar-Nair cracked 90 in Owmby's home win over Caistor 2nds, while Simon Taylor bagged six wickets as Cleethorpes 4ths beat runners-up Hykeham.

Messingham 2nds – unable to raise a side for their trip to Hartsholme 2nds – have been deduced five points and the Lincoln side awarded 15, under league rules.

In Division Three, skipper Jeremy Evans' unbeaten 93 was a key factor in third-placed Barton Town 2nds winning at home to already-relegated Keelby 2nds.

Bolstered by a half-century from the in-form James Sewell, Division Four champions Washingborough completed a nine-wicket win against bottom side Scunthorpe Town 3rds.