James Osmond reflects on below-par season for Clee CC

SKIPPER James Osmond reflected on a disappointing 2012 season for Clee CC and insisted: "At least we're due a decent campaign next year!"

The Meggies' 1sts completed their fixtures with a four-wicket defeat at Scarborough on Sunday, finishing eighth in the Yorkshire League table.

And captain Osmond admitted that is well below-par for a side that had previously ended third.

He said: "It was a disappointing season for us, especially after the beginning of the summer and how we finished.

"We put together some really good team performances towards the end, with people compiling big innings, taking wickets and taking some great catches.

"We had a great run of momentum in all parts of our game.

"If we had played like that all the way through we would have been right up the table.

"It was stop-start with the weather and we were using pitches that weren't always 100 per cent fit for play – it was a tough old season."

Osmond admitted consistency was a problem for his young side, who bade a fond farewell to South African overseas star Graham Hume, right, earlier this week.

"If our batting was good then our bowling wasn't, and we just couldn't click both together," he added.

"We could have done with a little more luck as well – we lost some important tosses on pitches with wet patches on.

"We seem to have an off season and then follow that with a really good season.

"This year we finished eighth, while last year it was third. Before that it was around 10th, and prior that fifth.

"So we're due a decent campaign again next year!"

Clee's 1sts may have already hung up their gloves and pads for the summer, but the club's other teams have one more weekend to negotiate.

The 3rds travel to Bracebridge Heath where they must collect at least six points to have any chance of avoiding relegation from Division One of the Lincs League.

David Mansfield's heroic 117 was not enough to save his side from defeat at Appleby Frodingham 2nds last Saturday and they completed a miserable weekend with a home defeat to local rivals Holton le Clay – despite Mike Chamberlain's destructive 72. Paul Hewstone returns to skipper the side.

Cleethorpes 4ths have already been relegated from Division Three, but complete their programme with a home game against Hibaldstow.

Cleethorpes North Lindsey XI face Barton Town on Sunday needing victory to remain in the division.

Members are reminded that Saturday evening is the club's end of season Steak Night, starting at 7pm. Book early to avoid disappointment.

FIXTURES

Tomorrow

Third-XI: Bracebridge Heath 2nds, away. Meet at 10.30am for 1pm start. P Hewstone (capt/wkt), B Marris, M Chamberlain, J Farmery, S Taylor, S Harvey, D Mansfield, R Woodward, L Markham, A Severn, D Cressey. Scorer: M Lewis.

Fourth-XI: Hibaldstow, home. Meet at 12 noon for 1pm start. Players to be notified.

Sunday

NLL-XI: Barton Town, home. Meet at 12.30pm for 1.30pm start. D Cressey (capt), B Marris (wkt), A Osmond, B Kirby, M Chamberlain, Shu Yao, L Markham, L Dickens, M Owen, S Hilton, C Carter. Scorer: TBC.