Clee aim to end season on a high

CLEETHORPES CC go into their final fortnight of the season currently in sixth place in the Oxbridge ECB Premier League.

With home games against lowly Harrogate tomorrow and prospective champions York in a week's time, James Osmond's side will be looking for a strong finish to cap a creditable season.

After four successive wins, Cleethorpes retain an unchanged side to the one that had excellent back-to-back wins at Doncaster and Hull over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Monday's win at Hull saw them chase down a mammoth target of 292 while Saturday's win at Doncaster was the first there since the Matthew Sinclair era.

Bill Kirby showed his class on both occasions hitting an unbeaten 83 at Doncaster and hitting his second century of the season at his hometown club of Hull on Monday to close in on 1,000 league runs for the season.

Alex Osmond continues to dominate with the ball, taking another six-wicket haul at Doncaster.

On Sunday, Cleethorpes face Hull in the first semi-final of the club's annual Twenty20 cup, sponsored by EA Broadburn Chemists.

Cleethorpes will field a predominantly first-team side with the addition of young batsman Elliott Drinkell, who has built up a reputation for hitting the ball a long way.

Sri Liankan guest player Omesh Wijesiriwardane completes the line-up.

He currently plays as an overseas player in Kent and is a fast bowler who can bat in the middle order.

The other sides taking part are holders Sheffield United, who face newcomers West Indian Cavaliers, who boast several players with first class experience, in the second semi-final.

Admission is free and car parking is available at the ground. A beer tent is open and there will be a barbeque running throughout the day for what promises to be a highly entertaining day of big hitting.

With Cleethorpes' 2nd, 3rd and 4th XI's without league fixtures this weekend, Mike Shelton leads the Academy game for their penultimate fixture of the season away at Burgh le Marsh tomorrow.