Market Rasen CC edged by Holton le Clay

The weather provided excellent morning conditions for this Lincolnshire County League clash and enabled the game to start on time at Rase Park.

Holton skipper Paul Holmes won the toss and invited his hosts to take first go on what was always going to be a difficult pitch to bat on first.

Dale Christie and Will Bradford opened up for Rasen, Christie taking the attack to the bowling and making 45 from 36 deliveries. 

Paul Martin with 23 and Ian Williams (26) also made reasonable contributions, but the Rasen innings lost momentum as the home side finally succumbed for 164 all out thanks to the mean bowling of Danny Portus (3 for 33 from 16 overs) and Richard Griffin (2 for 28 from 11.4 overs). 

All-rounder Bradford and Dan Quinlan opened up for the bowling for the home side and the former produced a wicket with the second ball of the innings as the visitors lost three quick early wickets.

But Rasen failed to capitalise on this early breakthrough and on an improving pitch the visitors progressed slowly towards their target as Robert and Richard Griffin came together to steady the Holton innings.

Martin and Penniston gave the home side some hope as they reduced the visitors to seven wickets down.

But Robert remained at the crease, finishing the innings unbeaten on 67 to guide his team to a well deserved three-wicket victory.

Rasen: W. Bradford 6, D. Christie 45, C. Scales 5, P. Martin 23, I. Williams 26, I. Nash 19, L. Scales 13, D. Clarke 9, D. Quinlan 2, R. Penniston 0, M. Bedford 3*, Extras 13. Total: 164.

Holton: 165-7.

Bowling: W. Bradford 6.2-0-39-3; D. Quinlan 8-1-27-1; I. Nash 7-0-23-0; R. Penniston 12-1-49-2; P. Martin 7-0-24-1.