MESSINGHAM wrapped up the Lincolnshire County Cricket League premier division title with two games to spare after a 15-run victory at Caistor.

Messingham's Bank Holiday Monday success against their fellow title-chasers came as second-in-the-table Barton Town were defeated at lowly Bracebridge Heath 2nds, who have boosted their survival chances.

Caistor were rocked by a good performance from Messingham skipper Andy Langford who led by example to guide his team to the full 20 points.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Cameron Fletcher's 71 was the highlight of the visitors' modest total of 148 for eight.

But Caistor felt short, dismissed for 133. Sahan Wijerathne made 50 but Messingham skipper Langford grabbed five for 38 in 22 overs.

Having slipped down the table, Cleethorpes 2nds were badly in need of a win at home to bottom-placed Appleby-Frodingham 2nds – and they got it.

Patrick Hughes led the way with 77 in Cleethorpes' all-out 183, as Jack Forrester bagged seven for 38.

The visitors were dismissed for 143, Ben Taylor finishing 80 not out and Owen King taking five for 27.

The victory eased Cleethorpes 2nds' concerns about relegation, which had intensified on Saturday when they lost at Bracebridge.

Bracebridge used up all 50 overs to post 214 for nine, Carl Stubbs hitting 81 and Dave Whapplington 53, as Nathan Judah took five for 61 and Rob Brice three for 60.

The visitors were dismissed for 154 in the 48th over, Patrick Hughes making 32 and Gary Cowlam 24, as Paul Fletcher bagged five for 52 and Stewart Gunthorpe three for 55.

Barton were short of runs when they visited Bracebridge. Their total of 133 included 27 from Simon McInerney and 26 by Gareth Mellors, as Andy McDowall took five for 37 and Paul Fletcher three for 31.

Bracebridge inched home, despite Gary Bell's three for 25. They owed a great deal to a vital late stand between Carl Walton (30 not out) and Tom Cuthbert (26 not out).

An amazingly low-scoring top-flight tussle saw Haxey bowled out for 81 (Lee Brocklebank five for 17) only for Izzy Gunasena to grab six for 12 as Alkborough were shot out for just 40 in reply.

Haxey recovered from being 18 for six, Aaron Moody leading the way with 35 and skipper Mark Atkins hitting a valuable 15.

Dave Elliott's 17 was Alkborough's only double-figure innings after tea.

Caistor won at local rivals South Kelsey in the first of their two bank holiday fixtures, but did not achieve full points.

Kelsey made 159 for seven – a score overtaken by the visitors with only four wickets down.

Overseas players did well with the bat for their respective teams, Chandi Wathukarage making 65 for Kelsey and Wijerathne scoring 69 for Caistor.

Alkborough's batting line-up had another off day at Horncastle, being dismissed for 84 while chasing the home team's all-out 195, in which Pubs Chandrasakara led the way with 65.

Having seen a once big lead pegged back somewhat, Messingham were defeated at Haxey.

Messingham bowled out Haxey for 184 but could muster only 152 in reply – also from 49.5 overs.

Rob Young scored 59 and Ollie Tonks 46 in the Haxey side, with Cameron Fletcher replying with 62 for the visitors. Messingham's top bowlers were Kieran Lindley (five for 57) and Andy Langford (three for 39). Tops for Haxey were Mark Atkins (four for 46) and Jobn Stanser (three for 23).

Scunthorpe Town moved closer to safety with a comfortable home win over Horncastle, Town making 199 for six (Ian Snowden 49) and dismissing the visitors to Heslam Park for 118 (Ramesh Chand five for 26).

Town enjoyed a comfortable four-wicket derby win over already doomed Appleby-Frodingham 2nds.

The Steelmen were dismissed for 98 (John Taylor 36, Ben Brumby 3-26), which did not test Town unduly, Neil Patrick finishing 35 not out.

Teams are reminded that, under a new rule aimed at combating bad light after tea in September, all Lincs League games from now until the end of the season start half-an-hour earlier. Premier division clashes are at 12.30pm and those in all other sections at 1pm.