THE top-ranked teams in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League premier division went head-to-head on Sunday, the prize being a coveted place in the semi-finals of the George Marshall Trophy – the senior knockout competition.

But Caistor Town, who are second to Messingham in the standings, turned the tables in the cup to triumph by 47 runs and leave Andy Langford's side to concentrate on the league.

Harry Boulton led the way with 49 in Caistor's 203 for eight, while Ian Dawson scored 50 not out as the visitors replied with 156 for nine.

Barton Town's in-form Australian overseas player, Simon McInerney, cracked a century to help steer the premier leaguers through.

Home side Louth 2nds, from division one, did well to total 200 for four when they hosted Sunday's tie, Zane Siddiqui making 62 not out and Paul Bell taking four for 37.

But Town paced their innings well – McInerney scoring 108 and Elliot Sampson 47 – to secure a six-wicket victory in the penultimate over of the scheduled 45.

Bracebridge Heath 2nds entertained Cleethorpes 2nds in an all premier division clash and won by two wickets. Paul Sunley hit 54 in Cleethorpes' 187 for nine, with Dave Whapplington cracking 44 in Bracebridge's successful response.

Horncastle were unable to raise a team to travel to Alkborough, Steve Clay's villagers progressing through to the semis on a walkover. A number of Horncastle's Saturday regulars play elsewhere on Sundays.

In the premier division, a high-scoring game was forecast at Chichester Road between Cleethorpes 2nds and Scunthorpe Town. And the Telegraph's match preview proved to be spot on with plenty of runs for the spectators to savour on Saturday.

The Meggies posted 246 for seven in their 50 overs but that proved no great test for Town, who had seven wickets in hand and a full two overs to spare when securing victory.

Opener James Osmond led the Cleethorpes run-charge with 133 – the next best effort being Rob Griffin's 31 in the middle-order.

Scunthorpe's innings was similar in as much as opener Simon Kiddle made 100. But the difference was a second, telling contribution – Ian Snowden's undefeated 74.

Not a great day to be beside the seaside if you were a bowler. However, the deceptive Pop Robson (three for 48) was again among the wickets for Town, being assisted by Carl McGregor (three for 71).

For the Meggies, skipper Sunley made up for missing out with the bat, taking two for 29 in eight tidy overs. Perhaps he now wishes he'd elevated himself beyond sixth choice in the pecking order.

A captain's innings by Stuart Fraser-Cattanach and penetrative bowling by Ross Carnelley brought Bracebridge Heath 2nds a very welcome win at Haxey.

The villagers were bowled out for 213 in exactly 50 overs – perhaps a shade disappointing after openers Ollie Tonks and Simon Wild had made 75 and 40 respectively.

Carnelley did the bulk of the damage with six for 52 from only 13 overs – an impressive strike-rate.

The Lincoln lads lost both openers cheaply but turned things round with a good stand between Fraser-Cattanach (70) and Carl Stubbs (35). Tom Monson and David Whapplington chipped in with handy scores in the 20s and Bracebridge had three balls and three wickets in hand when they inched over the line.

Haxey gave long bowls to their openers, Rob Young finishing with two for 57 and Isuru Gunasena with two for 54.

Rain didn't prove much of a hindrance to the Lincolnshire League on Saturday – despite some heavy showers being forecast for the afternoon. But the exception came at Alkborough – that northern outpost of the competition – where the local derby against Barton Town could not be fully completed.

There was time for Barton to complete their innings of 197 for seven, but only 35 of Alkborough's 50 overs were possible, resulting in points-sharing of 11 for the home side and 12 for the visitors. The game's top score was 75 from Alkborough's Craig Ross.

Barton's top scorer was 15-year-old Lewis Barnes, with 59 - his maiden 50, opening the batting. And he had to start his innings four times as there was three rain breaks.

Third-placed South Kelsey won comfortably when visiting Appleby-Frodingham 2nds, who prop up the table without a win in 12 outings. Highlight of Kelsey's 246 for six was 93 from opener Chandi Wathukarage, with Jack Dixon taking two for 61. An opening stand of 88 between Paul Taylor (50) and Vince Grimes (42) gave the Scunthorpe Steelmen something on which to build, and they managed a creditable 200 for nine, to take the maximum five batting bonus points on offer. Lol Waghorn, the off-spinner, finished with four for 61 as Kelsey returned home with 19 points - just one short of the maximum.

Second-placed Caistor Town visited Horncastle, bowled out the home side for 125 and secured a nine-wicket win and maximum points.

Inspired by a super century from the experienced Mark Conyers, Hykeham hauled themselves out of the division one relegation zone with a tonic seven-wicket triumph at Outcasts.

These were 20 points earned the hard way – conceding a big total but bowling out their opponents and then romping home.

Outcasts were invited to bat and made 233 all-out, Darren Clark top scoring with 64, Andy Torr making 58 and Peter "Spud" Tait 43, as nippy left-arm seamer Richard Chester took five for 58 in two spells totalling 15 overs.

The Isle of Axholme side surrendered late wickets and their total proved insufficient as Hykeham replied with 235 for three, in 43 of the permitted 45 overs, to gain a tremendous, morale-boosting victory.

Having earlier held three catches in the field, opener Conyers stroked a sublime 105 (12 fours, two sixes) and Josh Taylor a hard-hit 63 to guide their side home, despite some decent bowling from Tom Sharpe (two for 68 in 14 overs).

Runaway leaders Cherry Willingham are the only team in the entire Lincolnshire League with an unbeaten record, but the margin of their tenth win was a relatively narrow 30 runs when they visited Louth 2nds.

James Drabble's unbeaten 72 dominated Cherry's moderate 151 for seven, as Lee Freeman took three for 30.

But the Cherry bowling was well up to the mark, Will Carter collecting three for 34 and spinners Graham Priestley and Matt Spikings four for 27 and three for 19 respectively.

Second-in-the-table Alford's inability to dismiss lowly Cleethorpes 3rds (120 for seven) cost them points although they won by six wickets.

Seeking to steer clear of relegation, Scothern improved their situation considerably by bowling out Holton-le-Clay for 118 and winning by three wickets, Joe Drabble scoring 70.

Nettleham 2nds prop up the table after failing to raise a side to visit promotion hopefuls Broughton. This resulted in the immediate deduction of five points, in accordance with league rules, Broughton being awarded 15 on the same basis.

Martin Strawson's Mulsanne Park men had to send some regular personnel to assist their first team, while younger squad members were away on a school tour.

Having tasted defeat for the first time this season the previous week, division two leaders Messingham 2nds bounced back with a very convincing home win over lowly Haxey 2nds.

Messingham's 225 for six featured 55 at the top of the order by Adam Cook, 46 by Tom Johnson and 41 not out from Rob Talbot, as Paul Bradley took four for 59.

That was not a huge total on Northfield Road but the Isle of Axholme visitors could muster only 45, in 24.4 overs, Aaron Moody's middle-order 14 being the only real resistance.

Sheldon Sekul proved their destroyer-in-chief, with five for 15, Danny Rands and Shaun Dalton taking two cheap wickets apiece.

Market Rasen can still entertain hopes of going up, especially if they can repeat Saturday's form. They not only recorded the day's quickest victory but the best individual bowling figures. It all added up to a very disappointing day for Owmby, who failed to take a point from this all-West Lindsey clash, being bowled out for 42 (Karl Bierlein 7-17).

James Wright's 55 was a factor in Caistor 2nds' seven wicket defeat of Cleethorpes 4ths, who were contained to 127 for seven, which proved insufficient to test Dan Healy's men.

Keelby's proud unbeaten record came to an end with defeat at Hibaldstow, which also cost them top spot in division three.

Hibaldstow – under the captaincy of Mark Nicholson – have come up on the rails and are mounting their own bid for promotion.

Keelby were said to be a little under-strength and their all-out 170 – from the final delivery of the innings - was passable but not too daunting. Sanjay Chauhan led the way with an unbeaten 59 and Matt Bevis managed 23, as Mel Oades took three for 30 and Simon Pullan three for 40.

All-rounder Pullan then went on to prove a further thorn in Keelby's side with 51 as the home side won by two wickets with three balls to spare, Nicholson adding 37, which included some "monster hits" and Jon Taylor 30.

For the visitors, Paul Fytche bagged three for 45 and Andy Smith three for 53.

Barton Town 2nds remain within striking distance of the promotion places following a home win over Broughton 2nds.

Barton's 162 for six included 42 from acting skipper Jeremy Evans and 34 from Joe Brunwin, as Jake Parker took three for 23 and Phil Glentworth two for 36.

Broughton were dismissed for 145, of which Dave Jones contributed 58, as Dean Cressey bagged four for 26.

Mid-table Washingborough were bowled out for 156 but beat bottom side Holton-le-Clay 2nds, who responded with 118.

Some polished batting was on display in the Cherry-Blossom clash!

Matt Carter cracked 89 in Cherry Willingham 2nds' 171 for four, with Anthony George stroking 101 for Immingham Blossom Way in their all-out 155, with Jamie Burnett grabbing four for 70 from 22 overs.

This win considerably eased Cherry's concerns in the lower half of the table.

An equally important game brought another invitation to the cricket headline-writers, with Palli taking five for 12 and top scoring with 35 as Stamford Homes (Grimsby) went to the top of the table by beating Scunthorpe Town 2nds.

Did Scunthorpe get too Palli with the visiting all-rounder?

The Heslam Park men were dismissed for 111, Stamford going on to win by three wickets, despite good bowling by Jon Jacklin (five for 44).

It's proving quite a season for the amiable Andy Richley, captain of Market Rasen 2nds, whose side's win at division four bottom team Brigg Town means they are now looking safe from having to seek re-election.

That's quite a turnaround after finishing in the bottom two in 2009 and having an anxious wait at the league's annual meeting to see whether they would gain sufficient votes to enjoy another season in the county competition.

Saturday saw a good all-round performance from Andy, who top scored with 74 in Rasen's 205 for seven at the Recreation Ground, and then took four for 28 as the home team were dismissed for 80, Paul Bett managing five for 19 on his Lincs League debut.

If Old Lincolnians do manage promotion this season - after missing out narrowly in the past - they may reflect on Saturday's derby win at Hykeham 2nds. For they won by the narrowest of margins - just one wicket – to go top of the table.

Hykeham's 166 for nine included 55 from Alan Ashton and 27 by Lee Buick, as Dan Hill took five for 34.

They would have won, had it not been for Matt Jelly - Old Lincs' number three - who batted through most of the innings for a decisive 64 not out, being joined by last man Tim Phipps to see their side through to victory and 17 valuable points.

Keelby 2nds are seventh but remain comfortably clear of trouble, having won their home game with mid-table Morton.

Keelby openers Andy Sharp (39) and Bruce Roberts (24) shared a half-century stand, which was built on by Ian Johnson (64 not out) and Alan Travis (28) in a decent score of 205 for seven.

Morton responded with 178, Matthew Gleadell scoring 44, Peter Blogg 41 and Simon Turner 29, as veteran Udi Sheikh returned the game's best analysis of four for 50, supported by Mark Wade (three for 31).

There was a good bowling performance by Mark Leverett, for Hykeham, who took four for 53.

In the East Yorks Alliance, Brigg Town 2nds were bowled out for 131 at Patrington 3rds, who went on to win by five wickets in a division three clash.

And finally, teams wishing to apply for membership of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League should note July 31 is the deadline.

The league – founded in 1963 - currently has 51 teams, playing in five divisions. All member clubs must be based within Lincolnshire.

Further information is available from general secretary Mike Savage, to whom applications must be sent – either by post or email. His address is 64 Scorer Street, Lincoln, LN5 7XE. E-mail mikesavage199@btinternet.com