Dominant Lincolnshire tightening grip at the top
Lincolnshire’s week in the NCCA Championship delivered exactly what Nic Keast’s side have made a habit of producing this summer - authority, relentlessness, and scoreboard pressure.
Across the final two days at Hitchin and the opening day at Dunstable Town, Lincolnshire tightened their grip on NCCA Eastern Division Two, powered by incisive bowling, record-breaking batting, and a clear intent to dictate terms.
Lincolnshire completed their three-day assignment against Hertfordshire with a performance that blended discipline with destructive flair.
Hertfordshire’s first-innings 255 all out in 66 overs never truly threatened Lincolnshire’s dominance, largely thanks to the opening burst from Matt Mills and Mark Footitt.
Mills’ 4-47 and Footitt’s 3-60 set the tone, supported by a collective effort that ensured Hertfordshire were always playing catch-up.
Rather than enforce the follow-on, Lincolnshire chose aggression.
Their 210-6 from just 28 overs was a statement of intent as they batted with freedom, clarity, and a willingness to seize the game.
Captain Nic Keast (48), Sam Evans (36), Tom Keast (34) and Pranav Pothula (30) all scored at better than a run a ball, pushing the target to a mammoth 404.
Hertfordshire’s chase never materialised.
Even with Footitt sidelined through injury, Lincolnshire chipped away with unwavering control. Mills added another 3-39, debutant Seamus Nazir impressed with 3-44, and Thomas Currie contributed two wickets as Hertfordshire fell well short on 212.
The match will be etched into Lincolnshire’s Championship history for the second-wicket stand between debutant Sam Jarvis (92) and Sam Evans (118), as a superb 226 partnership set a new record for the second wicket in games between the two counties.
Add to that Pranav Pothula’s maiden NCCA Championship hundred, and Lincolnshire’s batting card glowed with milestones.
If Hertfordshire felt the full weight of Lincolnshire’s momentum, Bedfordshire were greeted with more of the same.
Day one saw Lincolnshire restrict the hosts to 178 all out in 71 overs, a display built on discipline and patience.
Once again, Mills led the way with 3-37—his third consecutive standout performance—while Tom Shepherd, returning to the XI, delivered superb figures of 3-28.
Currie’s 2-38 rounded off another collective bowling effort that squeezed Bedfordshire throughout.
Lincolnshire’s reply was brisk, positive, and in tune with their recent approach.
Closing on 130-1 from just 25 overs, they reduced the deficit to 48 with Nic Keast (67), and Evans (58) both fluent and untroubled.