Market Rasen CC: Captain Christie leads First XI to win

After Monday’s comprehensive win over Caistor in the George Marshall Trophy quarter-final, Rasen Firsts returned to league action at Heslam Park, in Scunthorpe.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat, a decision which seemed to be the right one as Rasen struggled to break the opening partnership.

In the 19th over, with the score on 62-0, Tom Boryszczuk removed Liam Redmond for 23.

The wicket sparked a mini-collapse as Ryan Penniston (4 for 40 from 12 overs) and Boryszczuk (4 for 35 from 16) reduced Scunthorpe to 74-5.

One of the victims fell to a stunning slip catch by Will Bradford off Penniston’s bowling.

Despite a brief 40-run partnership by Jake Smith and Ben Brumby, Rasen bowled Scunthorpe out for 151, a great effort by all of the bowlers.

Some excellent fielding gave Rasen the edge, especially in the batsman-friendly conditions.

Boryszczuk and Bradford opened the batting and got the run chase off to a great start, scoring freely at both ends.

In the ninth over with the score on 53, Boryszczuk was out cheaply which sparked a major collapse as Rasen lost seven wickets for 10 runs.

With the score on 63-7, Christie and Scales came together at the crease and were faced with the tough task of making the score respectable.

However, the pair batted superbly and worked the ball around the ground to draw Rasen closer to the target.

Needing only a further eight runs to win, captain Christie brought up his half-century with a trademark straight six over long off.

Two balls later, Christie (54 not out) flicked one off his legs for four to earn a dramatic victory for Rasen. Scales finished unbeaten on 37.

The win keeps Rasen in seventh, but just 20 points behind leaders Scothern, ahead of Saturday’s home game with Messingham (1pm start).