Higgins 50 helps Middle Rasen ease past Cherry Willingham

Cherry batted first and made the worst possible start when star man Will Carter was caught behind off the bowling of Dan Norburn with the first ball of the match.

Despite the early loss, the hosts recovered well as brothers Lee and Scott Coupland put on 40 quick runs, racing the score to 52-1 off 10 overs. Dan Norburn then grabbed two wickets in an over as Rasen seized the initiative and began to put on the pressure.

At the halfway stage Cherry were struggling on 99-7 against the bowling of Norburn (4 for 42) and Boryszczuk, but after the drinks break Declan Binnington’s well-compiled 51 helped the home side toward respectability.

Boryszczuk (3 for 29) and Will Bradford secured the last two wickets as Cherry were bowled out for 159.

In reply Middle got off to a great start as openers Darren Salmon and Bradford raced to 46 in 11 overs.

When Salmon was out for 18, Chris Higgins joined Bradford and kept up the scoring rate as the pair put on 63 runs in 10 overs to put the visitors within sight of victory.

Bradford (48) was brilliantly stumped by Scott Coupland as he closed in on his half-century, but Boryszczuk smashed a quickfire 22 not out to help Rasen reach their target in the 25th over for the loss of only two wickets.

Higgins finished on 57 not out which included nine fours and a couple of sixes.

The win lifted Middle Rasen to fifth ahead of Sunday’s home fixture with Sleaford (2pm start).