T20 Cup debut sees Horncastle blaze into the semi-finals
Horncastle CC's first XI entered the group stage of the Dave Morris T20 Cup for the first time and came through it in style on Saturday.
Horncastle were joined at their Coronation Walk home by Lindum thirds and Freiston seconds to play the round robin format with the winners of the day advancing to the semi-finals.
The first match saw Horncastle taking on Lindum with both teams wanting to get an early win on the board.
Lindum batted first and lost wickets at regular intervals thanks to some excellent bowling from Horncastle, George Brewster and Richard Hickling doing the damage with three wickets apiece.
The hosts’ reply started well with Rob Bee and Liam Evans putting on 48 for the first wicket before Bee was caught for 17.
Evans and captain Fraser Pemberton kept up the momentum to see Horncastle in sight of victory. Evans was caught for an excellent 29 but Pemberton (22 not out), with help from debutant Joe Shaw (17), saw Horncastle home by six wickets.
The second game of the day saw Lindum destroy Freiston by nine wickets inside 13 overs, boosting their net run rate.
This easy win meant that Horncastle had to win the final game to advance.
The visitors batted first and put up 105-8 from their 20 overs, George Brewster doing the damage again with another three wickets.
Huge credit also to Micheal Ackerman, who had the incredible figures of 1-3 in four overs with three maidens.
Freiston bowled well throughout meaning Horncastle couldn’t blast their way to victory.
Liam Evans (13) and Tom Hackett (19) batted well, but it was Rob Bee who dug in and stood firm to see Horncastle home, bringing up his half century to end 52 not out off 60 balls to spark jubilant scenes with Horncastle semi-final bound.
In Division Three Central, Horncastle seconds could only muster eight players and lost by eight wickets at Market Rasen seconds.
C. Giles and J. Rickard opened the batting for Horncastle and produced a great opening partnership, defending some strong Rasen bowling.
Youngster S. Butler hit three fours before being caught out for 14, and Rubel Iqbal top-scored with 17.
Horncastle U16s went down to a battling defeat in their first game of the season.
A quality bowling display from opener M. Dunkley, picking up three wickets, all bowled, dismantled the top of the opposition.
Then it was S. Misodi’s turn as he took a five wicket haul to bowl out Skegness for 73, with some great leg spin bowling - a great achievement for the side with only nine players and four debutants.
The second innings was always going to be tough, but skipper N. Nelson put on a great display of batting, hitting the ball to all parts before being dismissed for 34.
With wickets falling at regular intervals thereafter, the team managed to reach a total 62 in return, taking the game to the last over.
It was a great team performance, only being bowled out trying to go for the win.
Both the U16s and U14s are open to new players this season.
Training is on Wednesday evenings 6.30 – 7.30pm.
For more information, contact the club via their Facebook page or email [email protected].