Record stand helps Market Rasen Second XI rout Holton le Clay

Market Rasen CC Second XI gave their rivals reason to sit up and take notice after securing an emphatic win at Holton Le Clay on Saturday.

Winning the toss for the Lincs League Division Three clash, Simon Bunn elected to bat first, aiming to build a challenging total for the home side to chase.

Rasen started well with openers Davies and Papworth putting on 40 before the first wicket fell. With the next two wickets falling cheaply, Rasen’s Gary Bierlin and Chris Higgins came together with the score on 77.

Holton certainly broke no records in their over rate, but the record for the highest fifth wicket partnership in the league was about to fall.

On his way to a monumental knock of 120, Chris Higgins smashed 16 fours and four sixes as he put the home bowlers to the sword.

Ably assisted by Bierlin, who finished on an unbeaten 65, the pair put on 181 - a new divisional record - as Rasen went on to post 296-5 from their allotted 45 overs.

Rasen took to the field knowing the Holton batsmen would need a special performance to get anywhere near the target.

Opening the bowling with Entwistle and Davies, Rasen took an early wicket to put the pressure on the home side.

Little invention was found in the batting side and Rasen took a steady stream of wickets as the runs became hard to come by.

Gary and Karl Bierlein took seven wickets between them to round off a fantastic day with the bat and ball for Gary.

Holton Le Clay lost their final wicket on 87, resulting in a 209-run win for Rasen - a brilliant effort from all involved in the game and a real marker for the rest of the season.