Market Rasen Sunday XI collapse to Hartsholme defeat

Losing the toss, Rasen were asked to bat first, and opened with Keast brothers James and Nic.

They were unable to set the tone early on as James departed for five with the score on 20. Nic and Charlie Scales set about trying to build an innings, but when Keast was bowled by a delivery which kept low for 27, things started to unravel.

And with the departures of Scales to an excellent catch for 19, the innings began to fall apart.

Veteran Sunday XI member Andy Quinlan attempted to restore some respectability to proceedings with a stubborn innings of 12. Having spent several overs defending, he eventually fell when pushing on because of lack of partners.

A mention must go to young James Kirk after being run out going for a second by Billy Hart’s direct hit from the boundary. The Rasen innings eventually finished on a below-par 91.

Knowing the only way to win the game was to take wickets, Rasen started aggressively through opening bowlers Seb Darke and Scales.

Darke conceded only three runs in four overs and left a few ball marks on the Hartsholme clothing with some hostile bowling.

But failure to take early wickets while defending a low total proved crucial and Hartsholme reached the target four wickets down with Michael Hale unbeaten on 57, an innings which included several reverse sweeps.

The Rasen wickets were shared as Scales and Nic Keast picked up one apiece and James Snell took two.

The Sunday XI return to action on August 14 at Rase Park.