Lincs County League: Louth Second XI ease past Broughton

With the threat of more rain throughout the afternoon, skipper Arran Brindle had no hesitation in asking Broughton to bat on winning the toss.

The innings did not start well for the visitors as Reg Koen bounded in with pace and aggression to dismantle the visitors’ top order.

With the first three batsmen back in the pavilion, all caught by keeper Henry Tye off Koen, Broughton were reeling at 18-3.

With Koen in full flow and Brindle building the pressure with tight lines at the other end, Broughton continued to struggle to put runs on the board.

Pullan and Glentworth managed to compile a 30-run partnership to steady the ship before Koen struck again, this time thanks to a steepling catch from Bains.

When Koen (5 for 49) took his fifth wicket, again to Tye, four runs later at 51-5 Broughton were on the ropes.

With drinks approaching the opening bowlers took a rest, but this released the sustained pressure, and Pullan and Clixby took advantage after drinks to move the visitors into three figures.

Mark Duell was introduced and broke the fightback, having Pullan caught behind by Tye for his fifth victim of the day.

When Siddiqui held a spiralling catch off Brindle’s bowling five runs later, the visitors again looked in freefall at 112-7.

A back-pedalling Fisher held an excellent catch at full stretch to give Duell his second wicket (112-8) before Louth skipper Brindle (3 for 17) took the final two wickets.

Despite a valiant effort from Clixby (45) Broughton posted a meagre 125.

With rain in the air, the Louth reply stumbled in the first over as Wright returned to the pavilion without troubling the scorers.

Broughton failed to take advantage as Siddiqui and Brindle worked hard to rebuild the innings.

By the 22nd over the pair had pushed the score on to 82 before Siddiqui departed for an arduous 34.

After Jacklin’s brief innings, Koen joined Brindle and they looked to finish the game quickly.

Brindle (59 not out) reached her half-century shortly after, as big-hitting Koen bludgeoned his way to a quickfire 15 not out to complete a seven-wicket win.

Louth will look to replicate this form on Saturday when they travel to Broughton for the return fixture.