By After defeating league leaders Doncaster a week ago, Cleethorpes Cricket Club were on the receiving end when they travelled to Barnsley on Saturday.
A dramatic batting collapse saw them lose 8 wickets for just 18 runs as the Tykes ran out winners by the wide margin of 138 runs.
Some fine aggressive bowling from Basheeru Walters, who conceded just 19 runs from 11 overs, and Joe Baker (3-55) kept the home batsmen in check.
Cleethorpes however, welcomed back former County spinner Alex Osmond (pictured) into their ranks for his first game of the season. The spin bowler took just two overs to claim his first wicket, and in all bowled a 6 over spell returning 1-13.
Had it not been for some major contributions from the lower middle order, the Barnsley total of 228-8 would have been considerably less. However, at tea the Cleethorpes camp must have felt confident of their capabilities to match that total.
With James Osmond and Bill Kirby putting on 33 for the first wicket their confidence appeared well grounded. Suddenly alarm bells were ringing when both Osmond (38) and Louis Kimber (22) were dismissed within 8 runs of each other leaving the Meggies on a stuttering 72-3.
The batting then fell apart as medium pace bowler Harpreet Singh Bhatia ran through the line-up. The Indian all-rounder walked off with figures of 5-18 as Cleethorpes, for the first time this season failed to exceed 200, losing their final wicket with only 90 runs on the board.
In the 4 Probate & Wills ECB Yorkshire South Premier League table Cleethorpes are now 10 points adrift of third spot, with 5 other clubs rapidly closing the gap behind them. Next Saturday they entertain third placed Sheffield Collegiate at Chichester Road, and if they have an eye on the title a positive result is a necessity.
Contact Gi Grimsby
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
Follows us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest local stories, breaking news and to join the conversation
