Spalding Town roared to the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division title on Saturday with a dominant five-wicket victory over Grantham 2nd on the final day of the season.
Needing just seven points to be sure of clinching the crown, they racked up a maximum haul of 20 to end up 14 points clear of long-term leaders Skegness.
Amazingly, Chris Dring’s side won 16 of their 20 games, losing just three times all campaign.
It is now Spalding’s intention to accept a return to the Lincs ECB Premier League, but they admit that they have “a lot of hard work to do in the ground” before they can guarantee promotion.
A club statement said: “So this is how it ends. Well done to Chris Dring and his charges.
“A long season, where team work, hard work, and pulling together has resulted in being crowned champions!
“We’d like to thank Moore Thomson for their continued support and are also looking for new sponsors as we continue to move forward on and off the pitch.”
Saturday saw visitors Grantham 2nd win the toss and opt to bat first at Seas End Hall.
That didn’t bother the title-chasing hosts, as – spearheaded by Will Naylor (4-27) – Spalding set about bowling them out for 124 in 43.3 overs.
Stewart Mudie (33) impressed at the top of the innings for Grantham, but he eventually fell to Harry DeCamps (3-31).
Only three other players managed double figures, with Rory Johnson (16), Alex Hackney (16 not out) and Jared Hackney (10) getting starts before falling.
Brandon Andrews (2-28) and Nilantha Atapattu (1-22) were the other wicket takers for Town.
In reply, Spalding cruised to 128-5 in just 30 overs.
Jon Manton (50) led from the front, while Jay White (26) and Ben Smith (10 not out) finished the job and set-up wild post-match celebrations.
- The future looks as bright as the present at Spalding Town, with the club’s under-13 side clinching a league and cup double on Sunday.
The Town youngsters defeated Oakham under-13s in the league cup, winning by an emphatic ten wickets.
After limiting their opponents to 108-9 in their 20 overs, Spalding breezed to 114-0 in just 15 overs.
Jack Bowser (26 not out) and Barnaby Dring (25 not out) both retired unbeaten, while George Morris (14 not out) and Alex Chiappino (15 not out) got the runs, while Elliot Brooks and Chiappino both took two wickets.
