Rasen Seconds ease to dominant win at Cherry Willingham

Rasen made the trip with only 10 players, including Tim Paul who had been pulled out of cricketing retirement for the match.

Things went well from the start with the Rasen captain winning the toss and electing to bat.

This proved to be a better decision than the previous weekend after a 150-plus opening stand from young Seb Darke and Tom Boryszczuk, with Boryszczuk eventually departing for a fine 74.

Wickets did then start to fall at the other end as the incoming batsmen attempted to increase the run rate, including cameo knocks from the Barrick brothers and a rare, if almost disputed six from captain Jamie Snell.

Darke completed a well-deserved century, batting through and finishing on 111 not out from an above-par Rasen total of 208-5.

Some fine and accurate bowling with the new ball from Darke and Sid Barrick had Cherry under pressure from the start as wickets fell regularly through the innings.

Sid and Olly Barrick, and Darke shared the wickets around, while there was another top 10-over spell from James Quinlan (3 for 39).

Darke couldn’t keep himself out of the game with a fine run-out before late order partnerships seemed to frustrate the Rasen side.

The visitors were not helped by a few missed chances, several from behind the stumps from the stand-in wicketkeeper, which all added to delay the inevitable.

Boryszczuk was then introduced and finished things off to give Rasen the full 20 points with an excellent 37-run victory, the first of the season.

The next game for the Sunday XI is this weekend away at Old Lincolnians in the Lincoln League.

Rasen: S. Darke 111*, T. Boryszczuk 74, O. Barrick 3, B. Barrick 0, J. Snell 7, S. Bunn 0, Extras 12. Total: 208-5.

Cherry Willingham: 171.

Bowling: B. Barrick 9-3-2-32; S. Darke 7-1-22-2; J. Quinlan 10-1-39-3; O. Barrick 6-2-17-1; B. Hawke 3-0-24-0; T. Paul 1-0-15-0, T. Boryszczuk 0.5-0-7-1.