Spalding Town’s relegation worries were not eased as they were comprehensively beaten by third placed Sleaford in the Lincolnshire League Premier Division.
Town never looked like chasing down the home side’s 254/7 from their 50 overs and eventually succumbed to a 73 run defeat.
After winning the toss and putting Sleaford in, Nilantha Atapattu (1-35) enjoyed an early breakthrough but Matthew Mills (18) and Olly Sneath (28) added 58 for the second wicket.
Spalding had the home side 127/4 at one point but that’s as good as it got as Andy Hibberd (88) and Drew Harbron (55 in 42 balls) put on a stand of 104 for the fifth wicket.
The pick of the Spalding bowlers was Walter Kinlock who as well as running out Sneath earlier took 2-37 while Josh Lawrence claimed 2-39.
Sleaford’s total of 254 though also included 43 extras, of which 31 were wides.
In reply Spalding’s top scorer was Ollie Dring with 37 as they regularly lost wickets.
Jon Manton (18) and Attapatu (24) made starts but neither could stick around long enough.
Ethan Lawrence’s 33 not out helped provide a bit of respectability but the visitors were well short in the end.
Kieran (4-30) and Drew Harbron (3-45) took seven of the wickets to fall.
Spalding are second bottom, 20 points behind Lindum, though the fixtures don’t get any easier with league leaders Scunthorpe next up.
There was a defeat too for Spalding’s 2nd string at home to Baston.
That’s despite Jack Sawyer batting throughout Spalding’s 45 over innings anchoring it with a 77 not out.
With fellow opener Richard Riley (42) they gave the home side a good start.
However, Dan Mulley’s 36 not out was the only other score to reach double figures as Spalding posted 190/7.
Mulley (1-40) struck early for in Baston’s reply while Lily Hooker (1-15) and Joshua White (2-29) also gave Town hope.
But a fine knock of 72 not out from Dhruv Virani, who hit six fours and a six, saw Baston to a six wicket win in the 39th over.
