Lincs County League: Medler guides Louth CC Seconds to Scunthorpe win

With Arran Brindle making her debut for the Southern Vipers in the KIA Super League, Louth Seconds were again skippered by Steve Wright for the home match with Scunthorpe.
John Medler's unbeaten 74 eased Louth Second XI to victory over Scunthorpe EMN-160108-131043002John Medler's unbeaten 74 eased Louth Second XI to victory over Scunthorpe EMN-160108-131043002
John Medler's unbeaten 74 eased Louth Second XI to victory over Scunthorpe EMN-160108-131043002

Winning the toss, Wright elected to field, and made the bold decision to open with pace at one end and slow bowling at the other.

Opener Beeken was run out by a sharp throw from Cearnes in just the second over, but in the next over Reg Koen pulled up injured and skipper Wright had to complete the over in which new bat Pashley was dropped before scoring.

With Fisher keeping the pressure on at the pavilion end, Pashley used Rankin’s pace to score quickly and by the 14th over had reached his 50 and pushed the score on to 64.

Lee Freeman, playing his first game of the season, replaced Rankin and took the second wicket as opener Ironmonger spooned a catch straight to Medler.

With slow bowling now at both ends, Pashley (51) tried one shot too many and was pinned back in his crease plumb LBW by Freeman.

When Medler ran out Smith, Scunthorpe were 81-4 at the drinks break which seemed to affect the batsmen’s concentration as Fisher struck twice in consecutive overs (91-6).

Scunthorpe rallied as Hernon (37) took a liking to Freeman’s bowling and 42 runs were added quickly before the returning Rankin knocked back his middle stump.

When Gaffney followed suit to the very next delivery, 10-man Scunthorpe were on the ropes at 133-8.

Luke Freeman replaced Fisher and quickly found his rhythm, having the final batsman stumped by Duell with a sharp delivery as the visitors were dismissed for 135.

The London Road wicket looked superb and Louth openers Wright and Medler took advantage of the lightning-fast outfield.

One man down in the field seemed more like two or three for Scunthorpe as any shot more than a yard either side of the fielders raced for four.

By the eighth over, the 50 was up and both openers looked untroubled. The score had reached 92 before Wright (39), looking set for a 50, chased a wide Leek delivery and was caught behind.

Medler did not make the same mistake and two overs later brought up his half-century with a beautifully-timed boundary.

New bat Cearnes also looked settled, driving through the line of the ball for three striking boundaries before succumbing to the same fate as his skipper, fishing at a wide one from Gaffney.

Victory soon followed as man-of-the-match Medler (74 not out) saw the hosts to victory in the 31st over.