Steelmen in line for a cup derby

A CRACKING Scunthorpe area derby is in prospect in the first round of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League's George Marshall Trophy next spring.

It will be at Hirst Priory, where division one side Outcasts entertain Appleby-Frodingham 2nds, who have just been promoted back to the premier division.

The Scunthorpe Steelmen showed their cup pedigree this summer by reaching the final of the senior county competition, despite not being a top flight team.

Facing the toughest task of all in round one on Saturday, May 22 will be Lee Fielden's division four 'minnows' Brigg Town.

For they have been drawn away to Haxey, who so nearly clinched the premier division championship this summer.

Messingham, returning to the Lincs premier after being relegated from the county ECB competition, entertain fellow premier division opposition in South Kelsey.

Premier division Barton Town will be especially keen to avoid a giant-killing exit from next May's first round when they journey to division two Hartsholme 2nds, having suffered a shock 10-wicket exit at the hands of Morton this season.

Steve Clay's Alkborough (premier division) must fancy their chances of a second round place, as they have home advantage against division two's Owmby.

Scunthorpe Town, who have regained a premier place for 2010, meet division one side Holton-le-Clay at Heslam Park.

Broughton host Alford, who have just been relegated alongside them from the premier, while Mel Oades' division three Hibaldstow have been drawn away to Scothern, of division one.

In the Bob Welton Cup, Andy Clay's Alkborough 2nds – losing finalists in 2009 – are away to Holton-le-Clay 2nds in next season's first round.

Both these teams have just suffered relegation – Alkborough back to division two and Holton to division three.

Dave Langford's Messingham 2nds, of division two, seem a decent bet for a good cup run this season, especially as their opening game is against Alford 2nds, who only just avoided the re-election zone in division four this summer.

George Marshall and Bob Welton ties are 45 overs per innings, with bowlers restricted to nine apiece.

GEORGE MARSHALL TROPHY DRAWS

FIRST ROUND: Bracebridge Heath 2nds v Morton; Alkborough v Owmby; Immingham Blossom Way v Nettleham 2nds; Outcasts v Appleby-Frodingham 2nds; Haxey v Brigg Town; Cleethorpes 2nds v Market Rasen; Broughton v Alford; Washingborough v Hykeham; Messingham v South Kelsey; Hartsholme 2nds v Barton Town; Scunthorpe Town v Holton-le-Clay; Horncastle v Cherry Willingham; Old Lincolnians v Caistor Town; Scothern v Hibaldstow; Keelby v Louth 2nds; Stamford Homes v Grimsby Town 2nds. Ties to be played Saturday, May 22.

SECOND ROUND: Alkborough or Owmby v Immingham Blossom Way or Nettleham 2nds; Old Lincolnians or Caistor Town v Outcasts or Appleby-Frodingham 2nds; Washingborough or Hykeham v Bracebridge Heath 2nds or Morton; Horncastle or Cherry Willingham v Haxey or Brigg Town; Cleethorpes 2nds or Market Rasen v Broughton or Alford; Scothern or Hibaldstow v Messingham or South Kelsey; Stamford Homes or Grimsby Town 2nds v Keelby or Louth 2nds; Hartsholme 2nds or Barton Town v Scunthorpe Town or Holton-le-Clay. Ties to be played Saturday, June 19. Quarter-finals will be played on Sunday, July 18; semi-finals on Sunday, August 1; and the league hopes Grimsby Town CC will be able to host the final at Augusta Street on a date to be confirmed in late August.

BOB WELTON CUP DRAWS

FIRST ROUND: Alford 2nds v Messingham 2nds; South Kelsey 2nds v Scunthorpe Town 2nds; Market Rasen 2nds v Haxey 2nds; Holton-le-Clay 2nds v Alkborough 2nds; Caistor Town 2nds v Cleethorpes 3rds; Hykeham 2nds v Broughton 2nds; Cherry Willingham 2nds v Outcasts 2nds; Barton Town 2nds v Keelby 2nds. Ties to be played Saturday, May 22.

SECOND ROUND: South Kelsey 2nds or Scunthorpe Town 2nds v Caistor 2nds or Cleethorpes 3rds; Cherry Willingham 2nds or Outcasts 2nds v Hykeham 2nds or Broughton 2nds; Alford 2nds or Messingham 2nds v Holton-le-Clay 2nds or Alkborough 2nds; Market Rasen 2nds or Haxey 2nds v Barton Town 2nds or Keelby 2nds. Ties to be played Saturday, June 19. Semi-finals will be played on Sunday, July 25 with the final in August – date and venue yet to be confirmed.