FOUR teams are still battling to avoid the second relegation spot in the Lincolnshire County Cricket League premier division as Cleethorpes 2nds boosted their chances of avoiding the drop with a five-wicket win at Caistor.

The Meggies turned in a fine performance in their final match of the season but they, along with Horncastle, South Kelsey and Bracebridge Heath 2nds, remain in trouble.

Scunthorpe Town ensured their top-flight status by clawing six points from a 37-run defeat against champions Messingham. Bottom team Appleby-Frodingham 2nds are already relegated.

Horncastle won handsomely – by 85 runs – in a very important clash with Bracebridge Heath 2nds.

But South Kelsey's bowlers failed to defend an impressive batting total of 236 and they lost at home to Alkborough.

In Division One, Louth 2nds slumped to a nine-wicket defeat against second-placed Alford, who still have an outside chance of pipping leaders Cherry Willingham to the title.

The table toppers suffered a shock defeat, by seven runs, to second-from-bottom Nettleham 2nds.

Holton-le-Clay suffered a 38-run defeat to third-placed Broughton.

Hykeham are left looking anxiously over their shoulders, having lost by eight wickets to Scothern.

Division two promotion-chasers Market Rasen suffered a disastrous defeat at Owmby, failing to take a single point from their game in hand on second-placed Grimsby Town 2nds.

However, Town have not quite clinched second place with one match remaining.

Bottom side Outcasts 2nds won emphatically by nine wickets in the Isle of Axholme derby against Haxey 2nds, while Alkborough 2nds defeated Hartsholme 2nds by the same margin in a mid-table clash.

In Division Three, Stamford Homes droped to third in the table after a disappointing defeat by 58 runs to Washingborough – but the Grimsby team still have two fixtures to play.

Keelby wrapped up the title after a maximum 20-point win at Cherry Willingham 2nds.

Immingham Blossom Way ensured their safety from relegation with a five-wicket defeat of Barton Town 2nds.

Hibaldstow move into second place following a 14-run win at Scunthorpe Town 2nds, but it was the villagers' final fixture.

With one game to go in division four, Caistor 3rds still have a chance of promotion after a 167-run win against Market Rasen 2nds.

Second-placed Old Lincolnians took only two points from an eight-wicket reverse at Keelby 2nds.

Alford 2nds won handsomely at Brigg Town in the final game of the summer for both teams.

LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION: Caistor Town 221 for three (Wijerathne 72, Boulton 50), Cleethorpes 2nds 222 for five (Wragg 59, Rob Griffin 52); Horncastle 208 (A McDowell 5-76), Bracebridge Heath 2nds 123 (Freeman 64, Chandrasakara 6-33); Messingham 213 for six (Andy Cook 58, Adam Cook 58), Scunthorpe Town 186 (Chand 66, Rands 6-36); South Kelsey 236 for seven (Wathukarage 125 not out), Alkborough 240 for six (C Ross 135 not out).

DIVISION ONE: Louth 2nds 107 (Dixon 5-17), Alford 108 for one (A White 54); Broughton 149 (Portess 5-28), Holton-le-Clay 111 (P Clark 7-42); Hykeham 83 (Johnson 7-30), Scothern 84 for two; Nettleham 2nds 132 (Spikings 5-28), Cherry Willingham 125 (Pickering 5-22).

DIVISION TWO: Hartsholme 2nds 124 for six, Alkborough 2nds 125 for one (Gray 61 not out); Haxey 2nds 90, Outcasts 2nds 91 for one; Owmby 125 for two (Bowring 69 not out), Market Rasen 64 (Bain 5-14).

DIVISION THREE: Hibaldstow 175 for seven (J Taylor 102), Scunthorpe Town 2nds 161; Washingborough 229 for seven (Sewell 86, Willey 66), Stamford Homes 171; Barton Town 2nds 95 (R Farmery 5-24), Immingham Blossom Way 97 for five; Cherry Willingham 2nds 159 (Topliss 56, Charlton 6-59), Keelby 162 for four (A Bagnall 58 not out).

DIVISION FOUR: Alford 2nds 150 for six (Honman 59), Brigg Town 43 (K White 7-6); Old Lincolnians 117 (Sheikh 5-12), Keelby 2nds 118 for six; Caistor 3rds 223 for nine (R McKitton 52, Richley 6-37), Market Rasen 2nds 56.