A brilliant bowling display from Jake Pollard consigned Moulton Harrox to a narrow 15-run defeat against Belton Park in South Lincs and Border League Premier Division on Saturday.
Having won the toss and elected to field, Moulton were probably pretty happy with their efforts in holding Belton to just 153-7 from their 45 overs.
Only a fine half-century from 14-year-old Jonny Law (53) hampered Harrox’s progress, with Harry Barnett (3-26), Max Cusack (1-20), Jack Barnett (1-40) and Lawrence Rayner (1-4) all among the wickets.
However, the hosts struggled for runs in their reply as only Clive Bayston (29), Jack Barnett (26) and John Barnett (14 not out) managed double figures.
William Rich (2-36) got rid of both openers, before Alan Ward (2-13) and Pollard blew away the rest of the Moulton line-up in 40 overs to leave the hosts all out for 138.
Harrox make the trip to third-placed Billingborough on Saturday (1.30pm).
- Spalding Town 2nd also came up a little short in a South Lincs and Border League run chase on Saturday as they lost by 30 runs at Grantham 2nd.
Town won the toss and inserted their hosts into bat – a decision that was backed up by early wickets.
Young gun Jonny Manton had opener Martin Parmley run out for a duck, while Simon Juckes (1-15) got rid of Danny Ashley (2).
Grantham regrouped, however, with veteran Simon Oakes (74 not out) anchoring them to 175-6 from their 45 overs.
Steve Norris (2-19), Matthew Sharpe (1-29) and Julian Wilson (1-21) got the other wickets for Spalding.
Despite losing skipper Mike Kearns Snr for just 4, Town’s reply was going nicely at 100-5 thanks to decent knocks from Pat Harrington (41), Juckes (24) and Rob Noble (18).
But Adrian Wing (5-30) soon put paid to that, leaving Manton (14no) stranded at the end as Town closed on 145-9.
