Bright start for Horncastle CC firsts in victory
It was a mixed weekend for Horncastle CC’s teams as the new campaign got under way.
In their opening game of the season, new captain Fraser Pemberton smashed 80 to lead the first XI to a comfortable victory at home to Hibaldstow on Saturday in Lincs League Division Two North.
Horncastle batted first and made 209 all out from 41 overs. Notable contributions from opener Rob Bee (43) and Liam Evans (22) but it was Pemberton's brilliant 80 off just 55 balls that propelled Town past the 200 mark, securing full batting points.
Despite a solid start, Hibaldstow didn't really threaten the total, losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 151, giving Horncastle victory by 58 runs.
Wickets were shared around with Finn Fisher, Tom Hackett and C. Giles the pick of the bowlers picking up two each.
It was not such a good weekend for the Sunday XI who went down by six wickets to Old Lincolnians the next day.
Horncastle lost wickets regularly with only N. Nelson making double figures (21) from the top order.
That was, however, until numbers 10 and 11, Jim Martin and Steve West came together at 74-9 and dragged Horncastle up past the 100 mark, batting out the remainder of the innings together to take them to 111-9 from our 40.
It was monumental effort from Martin (16* off 50 balls) and West (19* off 55 balls) for which they both deserve immense credit.
Despite two wickets each for Micheal Ackerman and Will Broughton, Old Lincolnians reached the target comfortably in only 15 overs.
This weekend sees the firsts travel to Nettleham (12.30pm) whilst the seconds will host Caythorpe, also at 12.30pm.
The Sunday side, meanwhile, will be at Sleaford with a 1pm start.