Six teams battling for the title

A busy bank holiday programme in the Lincolnshire Cricket League, including a handful of Monday matches, should leave at least some of the championship, promotion and relegation issues looking a good deal more clear-cut.

There are six teams still hopeful of landing the Premier Division title, and a couple of them go head-to-head at Haxey where Dan Tolson's leaders, Cleethorpes 2nds, visit the second-placed side in what promises to be a cracker.

Hartsholme have been showing fantastic form in recent weeks, rising from sixth to third – and winning the George Marshall Knockout Trophy along the way.

Tomorrow, Nathan Poundall's side have a very important Lincoln derby against Stuart Fraser-Cattanach's Bracebridge Heath 2nds at Ashby Avenue.

Bracebridge, the reigning champions, still need some points to ensure they remain clear of the relegation zone.

Two of the other championship-chasers face away games – Steve Clay's Alkborough (fifth) making the short drive to Barton Town, while Mick Devereux's Horncastle (sixth) journey to Alford, who are second from bottom.

On paper, Lol Waghorn's fourth-in-the-table South Kelsey should win handsomely at home to bottom-placed Broughton but Paul Clark and company will have other ideas about their visit to the picturesque former Nettleton Mines ground.

Two fixtures in the heart of North-East Lincolnshire will decide who celebrates the Division One leadership tomorrow night and who drowns their sorrows.

Paul Hewstone's second-in-the-table Cleethorpes 3rds entertain mid-table Scothern, while at nearby Augusta Street Neil Patrick's leaders Scunthorpe Town are away to lowly Grimsby Town 2nds.

Third-ranked Cherry Willingham – led by Matt Spikings – will be keen to step up their own title bid away to bottom-placed Alkborough 2nds.

The chips are down at present for the affable Andy Clay and his Alkborough team but they will hope to re-capture some of the form which secured them a place in the Bob Welton Cup final.

Now sitting comfortably in mid-table, Outcasts have shown noticeable improvement after a poor start to the season and tomorrow host Dave White's Holton-le-Clay who still need points to ensure they steer clear of relegation.

Division Two's top-ranking clash will be at Northfield Road, where fourth-in-the-table Messingham 2nds entertain Lee Freeman's second-placed Louth 2nds.

This close to the end of the season, leaders Hykeham cannot afford any slip-ups against a Keelby team battling the drop, while Hartsholme 2nds – the lowly Lincoln side – journey to Dan Healy's mid-table Caistor 2nds.

Having slipped considerably in recent weeks, Owmby will want to improve at home to Market Rasen, who are just a few points above them.

Division Three's runaway leading pair from the Isle of Axholme are both on their travels tomorrow to take on opponents in the bottom half of the table.

Gary Mann's table-topping Haxey 2nds journey to Heslam Park to meet Scunthorpe Town 2nds, while Ian Fletcher's Outcasts 2nds are at Broughton 2nds.

Both just outside the promotion places, Mel Oades' Hibaldstow and Jeremy Evans' Barton Town 2nds meet at the villagers' venue, while at the other end of the table there's a very important clash between Keelby 2nds and Cherry Willingham 2nds which will have a real say in who goes down at the end of the season.

Division Four's match to watch will be between leaders Washingborough and fourth-placed South Kelsey, while Old Lincolnians (third) need a good points haul from their home fixture with Alford 2nds to boost promotion aspirations.

Three teams are currently involved in the battle to avoid finishing in the bottom two, and therefore running the risk of having to seek re-election at October's league AGM.

They are Brigg Town, who tomorrow host Mick Barton's title-chasing Stamford Homes, from Grimsby, Market Rasen 2nds, who entertain Hykeham 2nds, and Scunthorpe Town 3rds, who travel to Gainsborough to take on Morton.

Spectators wanting to take in some Lincolnshire League cricket on Bank Holiday Monday might fancy a trip to the seaside, where there's a fine Division One derby in prospect at Chichester Road involving Paul Hewstone's Cleethorpes 3rds and Holton-le-Clay.

The solitary Division Three match pairs Broughton 2nds and Immingham Blossom Way, while Market Rasen 2nds entertain Morton in the basement section.

Monday also sees the traditional charity match at Outcasts CC, near Crowle, where veterans will be lining up for their annual outing in this now firmly established August Bank Holiday fixture (2pm).

Those 45-plus – still playing, retired or semi-retired – who may not have been contacted to play can turn up on the day. Spectators are also very welcome, with refreshments available.

Meanwhile, Scunthorpe Town Cricket Club host the inaugural August Bank Holiday Twenty20 tournament at Heslam Park on Monday, the first game starting at 10.30am with the final at 6pm.

For further details call 07703034439 or email l.redmond@sky.com.