SECOND-placed Caistor lost more ground on the Lincolnshire County Cricket League premier division leaders Messingham with a 74-run defeat.

Dave Dawson led the way with 60 in Messingham's daunting all-out 250, while Kieran Lindley bagged five for 61 as the visitors were dismissed for 176.

Apart from the top side and Appleby-Frodingham 2nds, who are well adrift at the foot of the table, only 25 points divide the other nine teams in a very closely-grouped division.

As a result, Haxey, with two victories at the weekend, have risen from the relegation zone to third spot.

Sunday saw them defeat bottom side Appleby-Frodingham by two wickets. Mick Bramley led the way with 84 not out for the Scunthorpe Steelmen, as Nic Bisby grabbed five for 24 in a total of 233 for nine.

Rob Young (60) and Bisby (52) then impressed as the Isle of Axholme villagers chased down the target for the loss of eight wickets, despite the efforts of Kieran Watson (three for 29).

On Saturday, Haxey performed well to win at home to Alkborough.

Haxey's 244 for five (in 50 overs) included 65 by Oliver Tonks, 54 not out by Isuru Gunasena, 53 by Tom Wraith and 45 not out from Joe Scott, as Steve Clay took two for 49.

Alkborough were dismissed for 180, in which Nigel Brown scored 26, as all-rounder Young grabbed six for 64 – more than making up for missing out with the bat after posting a century the previous week.

There was a praiseworthy last-wicket stand of 45 between Steve Kemshall (20) and Ian Ross (21 not out) for the visitors – until that man Young made the breakthrough.

As a result of the close nature of the division, Scunthorpe Town find themselves a creditable fourth after Saturday's six-wicket triumph at fifth-placed Bracebridge Heath 2nds.

Graeme McDowell (59), Stuart Fraser-Cattanach (54) and Matt Turner (40) were the mainstays of the Lincoln lads' 237 for eight, as Pop Robson sent down 17 overs to claim three for 78 and Umar Gondal managed two for 28 in 10.

But that proved a target well within the visitors' reach, Ian Snowden hitting 90 not out, Simon Kiddle 46 and skipper Liam Redmond 43 not out.

Tom Cuthbert claimed two for 54 for Bracebridge to complete a decent all-round performance, having earlier scored 24 not out.

Horncastle's batting proved too strong for visiting Barton Town – 282 for five featuring 104 from Nick Paige and 61 by Pubs Chandrasakara.

Barton failed to rise to the challenge, being dismissed for 154, but their statistical expert, Mark Austin, reports that for the second week running their first team had a stand of 81 for the ninth wicket – this week's pairing being Ian Andrew and Will Yates.

There was a run fest down at Alford, where the division one promotion-chasers smashed a divisional record on their way to inflicting a heavy defeat on shell-shocked Outcasts.

Wayne Garlick (119) and Andrew White (131) compiled a magnificent opening partnership of 266, which eclipsed the previous best in this section – 235 by Wayne Reed and Matt Hammond for Broughton 3rds in 2006.

Outcasts feared they were in for an afternoon spent chasing leather in the heat when the home openers plundered 62 runs from the opening six overs. Andrew White brought up his own century in style with a massive six and his side went on to make a massive 329 for four in 45 overs, Ross Dixon joining in the carnage with a late, unbeaten 41.

Left-arm seamer Liam McAnaney dismissed the century-makers with successive deliveries – the batsmen crossed before a catch was held – to finish with two for 99.

Outcasts made a decent start with a half-century opening stand between father and son Mark and Ollie Coulman, dad making 33 and the junior partner 27.

Birthday boy Russ Fletcher chipped in with 30, but the innings fell away to 158.

Spinner Graham Priestley returned the remarkable figures of five for five as leaders Cherry Willingham comfortably saw off visiting Nettleham 2nds, in a local derby.

Cherry were bowled out for 202, but – with Priestley rampant – the visitors never threatened, being dismissed for 75.

Mark Conyers cracked a magnificent 146 as bottom side Hykeham won again – this time at the expense of Holton-le-Clay.

The opener's super effort came in a total of 255 for seven – no-one else getting anywhere near 30.

However, no batsman topped 20 in the visitors all-out 110, as Richard Chester took four for 16.

Only 13 runs divided the teams when Cleethorpes 3rds won at home to Scothern – both being in the lower reaches of the table. So this proved an important win for the Meggies.

Highlights of their 210 for seven were 67 not out from Dan Tolson, 67 by Paul Ridley and 38 from opener Elliott Drinkell, as Richard Johnson took three for 53 and Ian Brown three for 55.

Peter Wright managed 60 and Johnson 29 in Scothern's 197 for nine, as Lewis Markham bagged four for 63.

Louth 2nds now seem to be finding their feet at this level having gained promotion, and Saturday saw them secure a very satisfactory win at promotion-chasing Broughton.

Louth made a seemingly moderate 164 for nine, John Medler hitting 53 and Paul Reed taking four for 12.

However, Broughton were bowled out for 135, of which all-rounder Reed managed 44 in the middle-order as Dale Chambers ripped through the innings with a super eight for 52 in 17.2 overs.

Messingham 2nds' seemingly unstoppable race to secure the division two championship pennant continued with another handsome win – this time when visiting Lincoln to take on Hartsholme 2nds.

Their batting line-up did the leaders proud with 272 for five, Adam Cook leading the way with 106, Rob Talbot making 50, Matt Lawson 40 and Matt Snee 38.

Veteran Geoff Sewell hit 54 for Hartsholme, and fellow opener Adrian Bunn 26, but after that the home side failed to come to terms with the bowling of Sheldon Sekel (six for 29) and were dismissed for 152.

Paul Rocks' title-chasers remain unbeaten after 10 league fixtures – eight straight wins and two rain-ruined fixtures.

Grimsby Town 2nds seem well placed for a return to division one, and Saturday saw a workmanlike display at Augusta Street to see off visiting Haxey 2nds.

The lowly-placed Isle of Axholme villagers elected to bat first but could muster only 120, of which experienced opener Steve Ryan contributed 65, as James McGregor took four for 65 and captain Dan Wood three for 34.

Grimsby lost five wickets on their way to securing victory – but it took only 24 overs – Nigel Fanthorpe leading the way with 64 and Andy Hardy cracking 36, as Damon Hughes took three for 82 and Paul Bradley two for 23.

Caistor Town 2nds' skipper Dan Healy was full of praise for the sporting spirit shown by visiting Owmby.

With only one officially-appointed umpire, players had to fill in at the striker's end. And when there was a close call for a run-out, one of the stand-in umpires was unable to give a ruling as a fielder had obstructed his view at the crucial moment the bails flew.

That state of affairs was readily accepted by Caistor, the fielding side, but experienced Owmby batsman Andy Simpson realised he was short of the crease when the stumps were broken, and therefore "walked" – a sporting gesture which summed up the way the game should be played, and often is!

The match itself ended in a comfortable home win for Caistor, whose 217 for five featured a praiseworthy 102 not out from Tom Boryszczuk and 66 by Liam Wood.

Healy himself then bagged five for 35 as Owmby were bowled out for 137, in which veteran batsman Edwin Chappell contributed 29 and Kev Bowring 28.

Lady luck again failed to smile down on Outcasts 2nds – Ian Fletcher's bottom-placed side coming agonisingly close to recording their first league win of the season.

However, promotion hopefuls Market Rasen sneaked home with their last pair at the wicket and two balls to spare in a thrilling match.

Outcasts were bolstered by the return of master blaster Andy Lawson, who did not disappoint with a typically quickfire 71 in a total of 207 for seven, Brett Smith adding a handy 40 and Anthony Fitzgerald 34.

But the home side's bowling attack could not defend the total at Hirst Priory, allowing Rasen to scramble home.

Those of us who expected a close encounter of the cricketing kind at West Halton Lane were in for a surprise – for home side Alkborough 2nds easily defeated Cleethorpes 4ths.

Highlights of the villagers' 216 for four were 48 not out from Ben Walker, 48 by AJ (Alex) Jenkins and 47 from Neil Gray.

Mr Experience, Richard Kirman, then got to work after tea, grabbing six for 28 as the Meggies were dismissed for only 61 – the lowest score of the day in the entire league.

Hibaldstow's victory away to fellow division three promotion hopefuls Barton Town 2nds was very much Taylor-made.

Long-serving opener Jon Taylor hit 108 not out for the visiting villagers, and son Tom 35, in a total of 204 for six.

Tom then bowled well to take three for 27 as the Marsh Lane men replied with 144 for nine. Not content with that, he also held two catches and had a hand in a couple of run-outs.

Tom Palin performed well with bat and ball for Barton, taking two for 55 in 14 overs and then hitting 43.

Keelby moved to the top of the table – by virtue of winning at home to Cherry Willingham 2nds and the fact previous leaders Stamford Homes (Grimsby) were without a fixture, a big scooter festival being held on their ground.

Gary Spencer, who is having a fine season for Keelby, took four for 20, and Andy Smith four for 18, as Cherry were dismissed for 123.

Matt Bevis (44 not out) then played his part in ensuring Keelby achieved their modest target.

There was an agonising one-run defeat for bottom-placed Holton-le-Clay 2nds when they hosted Immingham Blossom Way, also with some concerns about possible relegation.

Kev Laister scored 48 and Paul Farmery 34 in Immingham's all-out 170, as Bob Welton took three for 19, Jim Birkwood two for 34 and Aimee Simms two for 41 in 15 overs.

Holton needed two runs to win off the final delivery of the match but unfortunately Gary Nicholls (who had batted well to reach 57 not out) failed to connect and they finished agonisingly short of their target on 169 for seven, Mike Northern having earlier made 39.

In a game where veterans were very much to the fore, Dennis Parker (three for 17) played an important part in the visitors' win, making significant inroads into the lower order.

Scunthorpe Town 2nds remain in relegation trouble but will be heartened by their one-wicket win over Washingborough, for whom Mark Willey top scored with 66 in a decent 194 for nine.

But it was not quite enough as Ali Gondal's 71 helped see Town across the finishing line.

Connor Hawkins bagged six for 56 as leaders South Kelsey 2nds won at home to Morton in division four – although the three-wicket margin dividing the teams was perhaps closer than many basement section observers might have expected.

The Gainsborough visitors were bowled out for 156, and it took 45 from the experienced Andy Walton to ensure Kelsey got sufficient runs to secure another 20 points for an outright victory.

Market Rasen 2nds are extremely keen to avoid having to seek re-election again, and that determination was evident as they secured an emphatic home win over Hykeham 2nds.

Rob Chamberlin (133 not out, including 19 fours and two sixes) and Andy Richley (50) shared a super stand of 134 which was only just short of the Lincs League fifth wicket record.

Hykeham, for whom Will Murray had earlier taken five for 45, were dismissed for exactly 100 in reply.

Mike Duffy had an unusual distinction for Old Lincolnians – scoring more runs himself than the opposition. He made 109 of promotion-chasing Old Lincolnians' all-out 243, following which they bowled out visiting Keelby 2nds for 101.

Alford 2nds made the lengthy drive up to Hibaldstow to take on lowly Scunthorpe Town 3rds – but it wasn't too long before they were returning home with a 10-wicket, 20-point maximum win in the bag.

On one of the very best batting tracks in the league, Town were dismissed for 83 in the 26th over, Abhishek Rampaul's 31 being the only double-figure contribution, apart from extras.

Much of the damage was inflicted by Kev White and Mike Honman (both managing three for 13).

Alford needed less than 10 overs to secure their win, openers Joe Czornyj and Tom Stephenson finishing 47 not out and 32 not out respectively.

East Halton suffered a six-wicket defeat at home to Fenner 3rds in division two of the East Yorks Alliance

The North Lincs villagers were bowled out for a disappointing 93, in which James Mikkonen made 21 at the top of the order.

Stuart Davidson (four for 34) performed well after tea but the number of runs at the bowlers' disposal was insufficient.

In division three, promotion hopefuls Brigg Town 2nds lost by four wickets when visiting Sutton on Hull 3rds. Town were dismissed for 114 in 28 overs – a target comfortably within reach of the home side.