Market Rasen Sunday XI collapse against Heighington

Having lost the toss and been invited to field on another glorious Sunday afternoon, the home side found themselves on top with early wickets from James Keast and two wickets from as many deliveries from Seb Darke.

But from there on wickets became tough to take as a partnership of 152 between Rob Tupholme and Harry Wright frustrated the Rasen bowling attack.

Tupholme reached a fine 102 from only 101 deliveries before eventually falling to James Keast’s second spell.

Despite some tidy bowling from many of the Rasen side, including good spells from young Ben Hawke and the returning Henry Inman, the Heighington batting line up found runs easy to come by and finished on a total of 239-8 from their 40 overs.

James Quinlan extended his lead in the season bowling stats with another brace of wickets, while Keast finished with four after an excellent second spell at the death.

Rasen knew a positive outlook was required from the start to chase down the sizeable target, but tight fielding and bowling kept the visitors on top with both Keast and Darke falling after reaching double figures.

Things failed to improve for the hosts as none of the middle order were able to reach double figures.

Quinlan, coming in to bat at nine, was determined to give the Rasen innings some respectability, and well supported by the crowd, played the longest innings, surviving 42 deliveries for 10 not out.

He was well supported by tail-enders Ben Hawke and Henry Inman, but Rasen were bowled out for 67 in 33.1 overs to lose by a considerable 172-run margin.