Boston take the title without bowling a ball
Boston became champions of the Premier League on a weekend when not all title and relegation issues were decided.
Cherry Willingham, following a succession of titles, must be satisfied with the runners-up spot.
They hit 284 for four against relegated Blankney, who scored 160 in reply. Ex-Blankney captain Will Carter made 91 and Scott Coupland 64 not out for Cherry and Carter shared hundred partnerships with both Coupland brothers, 142 with Lee and then exactly 100 with Scott.
Boston won the title without bowling a ball as yet another side, in the closing weeks of the season, failed to fulfil their fixture.
This time it was Market Rasen who cancelled due to a lack of players.
Similarly, in Division One, long-time promotion favourites Middle Rasen also failed to fulfil their final game which leaves them almost certain to miss out on the second promotion place, with Hykeham now looking odds-on to claim this slot having moved to within three points of the runners-up spot following victory against Waddington.
The result left Waddington still fighting for their Division One status. Waddington were bowled out for 63, the second lowest score of the day as Dave Smith picked up five for 15. Hykeham lost two wickets getting their target giving Waddington only two bonus points.
Bassingham, who like Waddington are fighting for Division One survival, fared somewhat better although they also lost. Hosting Washingborough, they lost by two wickets having posted a total of 173 for nine.
The eight points they collected leaves them just three points behind Waddington with each having one game remaining – Bassingham at home to promotion-chasing Hykeham and Waddington at home to Carholme.
Waddington look favourites to survive, especially given the latest performance of their final opponents, Carholme.
At the weekend Carholme faced Saxilby and made the day's lowest score of just 34 which was achieved without loss by their visitors. Carholme's top scorer was B. Walker with six while D. R. Hill took five for seven. Graham Morley then made 37 for Saxilby with this victory seeing Saxilby finish fourth.
The Division Two promotion issues are already decided but the second Division Three promotion place will be resolved on the final weekend.
In Division Two, Heighington closed their season on a winning note finishing just eight points behind runners-up Boston 2nds. Their final victory was achieved at Owmby, who finish fourth.
Heighington skipper Dave Orrey hit a top score of 77 to see his side to 223 but Anuj Manakar produced the day's best bowling figures with six for 30 for Owmby.
When the home side batted they were bowled out for 160, losing by 63 runs.
The day's second highest total came at Aisthorpe with visitors Branston making 249 including 74 from J. Stephenson and 50 from A. Cox.
Aisthorpe, who are relegated, made 72 in reply to lose by the biggest margin of the day, 177. In the other divisional games Nettleham 2nds beat relegated Bardney by eight wickets with Bardney making 164 before John Rice scored 95 – the highest individual score of the day – and Jack Curtis made 50 not out.
Fulbeck beat visitors Winthorpe by three wickets after the visitors had made 122 for six.
In Division Three, the day's closest finish was recorded with Hykeham 2nds defeating neighbours Rustons by only 20 runs.
Hykeham made 154 with J. Carratt top scorer with 42 and Martin Noble the pick of the bowlers with four for 13. In reply Rustons were 134 for seven at the close with M. Hickerton their top scorer with 49 and Bunn the pick of the Hykeham bowlers with three for 30.
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by Skipper, Boston
Wednesday, October 07 2009, 4:06PM
“There are alot of strong feelings been written in these last five comments! I am a member of Boston CC and am sure that an average of 5 under 19s is a fairly young side. If we had finished bottom, then these people wouldn't be complaining about travelling to Boston. Boston pick the best sides that are available to them on each given matchday! We have a 2nd XI that has a number of younger players learning their game in Division 2, which will be Division 1 next year, after promotion. We have won 3 leagues in 3 years, and 2 cups along the way also. And in Middle Rasens case, why play if u don't want to play at the highest level.”
by Cricketer, Lincs
Wednesday, October 07 2009, 1:54PM
“I think people dont like Boston CC because the reason for them joining the Lincoln league was to blood youngsters, in a more competitive environment than what they were playing in the East Lindsey League. Now, comparing their Saturday 1st team(who have just won promotion to ECB) to their regular Sunday first eleven, there are very strong similarities. Having played against them this year, both home and away i wuold actually say their attitude and general conduct is very poor, and were probably the "rudest" team out of the league.
To stick up for them, they arent the only team that are fielding very strong sides, with probably the top 4 or 5 teams, maybe apart from Cherry, fielding numerous ECB players. This will benefit the league, and certainly make it very competitive for the top half a dozen, but will no longer encourage the "village" sides to want to win promotion into the Prem. As mentioned with Middle Rasen, not wanting to come up....who can blame them...North Scarle in 2008 and Blankney and Martin in 2009 have found it very tough, and i expect Scarle again to struggle. In the short term i dont see an answer to this problem, but i suppose its like any sport where the best get better and the rest have to make do!
Roll on April!!”
by Lincoln Premier League Player, Lincoln
Saturday, October 03 2009, 8:07PM
“What have Boston CC done?? I have played against Boston this year on a Sunday and I believe that their pitch is the best in the league, by far! I enjoy going to Boston once a year as it is a test, which means players have to lift their game!
I think its quite funny, how the 3 previous comments want them kicked out, it must be a case of if u cant beat them, kick them out! Some people can be very synical! An for the gap between Premier Division and Division 1, it must be huge, Boston won both in 2 years! They wont win it next year, we will take some beating! haha”
by the keeper, lincoln
Thursday, October 01 2009, 8:43AM
“I have played cricket in most of these divisions for over 30years and agree that Boston should not be allowed to play in the Lincoln league (Lincoln and distirct was at one time 20 miles approx.of the cathedral) Bostons a town for gods sake...bit harsh on North Scarle anon!!!!”
by Long Time Premier Player, Lincoln
Friday, September 25 2009, 3:48PM
“I quite agree with anon of Lincoln. All the other teams in the League should get together and lobby the League. They do not fit the criteria of the League and have lied to get into the league. Throw them out of the league and let the Lincoln and surrounding teams travel acceptable distances to matches. We don't play for financial gain but for the love of the game. travelling all the way over to Boston on a Sunday afternoon is not my idea of enjoyment.”