Cricket: Haxey’s relegation is confirmed after loss

Haxey’s second string have been relegated following a 147-run loss to table-topping Scothern.
Haxey B v Scothern at Haxey Lane ground. Haxey bowler Andrew Steeper.Haxey B v Scothern at Haxey Lane ground. Haxey bowler Andrew Steeper.
Haxey B v Scothern at Haxey Lane ground. Haxey bowler Andrew Steeper.

The youthful contingent have endured a difficult season which at the weekend saw Haxey only able to field 10 players.

And despite there still being two games for the Isle side to play, Haxey sit bottom of the Lincolnshire County League’s First Division and 53 points adrift of Hartsholme who are flirting just above the drop-zone.

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In a cruel twist of fate during Saturday’s game as Haxey saw their demise from the division mathematically confirmed, their opponents Scothern were left celebrating a vital win which sees them with one hand on the title as the league nears its 2014 close.

Haxey B v Scothern at Haxey Lane ground. Haxey bowler Luke Allen.Haxey B v Scothern at Haxey Lane ground. Haxey bowler Luke Allen.
Haxey B v Scothern at Haxey Lane ground. Haxey bowler Luke Allen.

Although the pain of relegation will arguably reign supreme, Haxey could take a huge positive from the bowling display of Wasim Ahmed.

The talismanic thrower did everything he could to dispatch Scothern’s batting contigent, collecting figures of 5-35.

Ahmed eventually managed to dismiss Scothern’s Mark Conyors who had proved to be a stubborn force to remove in the number one spot.

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Haxey’s Ahmed trapped Conyors LBW to end his time at the crease on 42.

Haxey bowler Wasim Ahmed.  Picture: Malcolm BillinghamHaxey bowler Wasim Ahmed.  Picture: Malcolm Billingham
Haxey bowler Wasim Ahmed. Picture: Malcolm Billingham

Conyors’ fellow opener Jack Lawson (22) was also sent back to the pavilion from Andrew Steeper’s searching bowl.

Scothern’s next trio took a shaky turn as Ahmed powered through his opponents with Ian Brown, James Drabble and Steven Bullivant all going for a combined 12 runs.

However, the away side’s number six - Johnny Drabble - more than steadied the ship as he cruised into double figures and lasted for the remainder of the innings - top scoring for Scothern with 44.

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As Haxey’s Luke Allen ran out Thomas Gregory, Ahmed collected his fifth and final wicket and Ramkumar Ramachandra picked up his man for 16.

Scothern finished on 185-8 which looked to be an achievable target for the hosts.

Steeper opened for the Isle men and started brightly as he tried to keep Haxey’s total ticking over.

However, the remainder of the home side’s contingent struggled to get past single figures as Lawson ran riot for the visitors - picking off Scott Ewen, Ahmed, Allen, Eddie Wraith and Scott Mitchell for a total of 18 runs.

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Johnny Drabble was also in fine form with the ball as he snared 3-15, sending Haxey’s top-scoring Steeper back to the pavilion for 21, before dispatching youngster Lewis Daniels and Ramachandra.

Scothern’s Andrew Sawyer picked up Haxey’s final man in George Wigham as the Isle side finished on a lowly figure of 38 all out, condemning their First Division fate.

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