Moulton Harrox were unable to put the skids on Market Deeping 2nd’s title charge in South Lincs and Border League Division One on Saturday.
Early pace-setters Deeping cracked 200-3 batting first at Harrox Field, before bowling out Moulton for 78 to secure a 122-run victory.
Matthew Barnett (1-40) did manage to get rid of opener Ryan Bainborough for 11, but a formidable second-wicket stand between Richard Witt and Matt Rose was key.
Opener Witt starred with a super 83, while Rose (55) also helped himself to a half-century before Carl Lamming (2-23) finally got rid of both.
Joe Malton (15no) and skipper John McDougall (12no) then steered Deeping to 200 at the close, leaving Harrox a tough run chase.
It proved too tall an ask for the hosts, who lost wickets at regular intervals.
Only Mike Kearns Snr (13), Ansar Hussain (29) and Simon Juckes (13) managed double figures as they were dismissed for 78 in 37.2 overs. Danny Holden (3-10) was the pick of the Deeping bowlers.
- Also in Division One, Spalding Town 2nd suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Belton Park at the Memorial Field.
Having been put into bat, Town were bowled out for just 101 in 33 overs. Opener Ethan Lawrence (23) continued his strong recent form at the top of the innings, but only two of his team-mates managed double figures.
Jordan Butcher (18) and Jamie Juckes (10) were the two to offer some form of resistance, but Belton’s bowling was on-song.
Doing most of the damage were Jonny Law (4-22) and Dan Reynolds (4-20).
Spalding made a superb start with the ball, though, getting rid of the top three for a combined total of four as Julian Wilson (1-9) and Jonah Gill (2-7) struck.
That only served in bringing Will Helliwell (42no) and Reynolds (39no) to the crease, though. The pair built a formidable partnership and left Town with no chance of pulling off a surprise victory, seeing their side home with seven wickets and more than ten overs to spare.
This Saturday sees Spalding visit high-flying Baston, while Moulton host Claypole (both 1pm).
- A stubborn half-century from skipper Phil Barnes failed to stop Long Sutton from losing at Billingborough on Saturday.
Fielding first in the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division tussle, Sutton were made to toil as Billingborough motored to 228-8.
Amazingly, the visitors gave away 79 extras – which proved to be Boro’s main source of runs.
The wickets came from James Baker (3-62), Will Naylor (2-44), Josh Baker (1-30), Barry Stanway (1-27) and Dan Oldfield (1-55).
Opener Barnes (51) and his son Luke Barnes (47) both batted well in Sutton’s reply, but they could only reach 164-8 in their reply.
Perhaps annoyingly for Sutton, that score would have been enough for a comfortable victory if they’d not shipped so many extras.
Boro’s best bowlers were Matt Cox (4-41) and Paul Goodwin (3-34).
Sutton, who are now fourth from bottom, host Bourne 2nd this Saturday (1pm).
