Long Sutton’s flawless Sunday side are celebrating after clinching the Rutland League Division Three title.
They made it five wins out of five with a 58-run win over neighbours Spalding Town at Paradise Field – sending themselves an unassailable 25 points clear in the process.
Josh Baker (38) top scored as Sutton made 140 batting first, while James Laud (4-4) was Spalding’s best bowler.
Rob Simpson (3-25) and James Baker (3-11) then impressed with the ball as Town were bowled out for 82 in just 30 overs, ensuring Sutton clinched the title in superb style.
- Spalding Town kept their hopes of winning the South Lincs and Border League East One title alive – and denied rivals Moulton Harrox the chance to clinch the crown – by beating them on Saturday.
Leaders Moulton, who would have sealed the title with a win at Harrox Playing Field, suffered their first loss of the season in the derby and must now wait and see if Spalding can beat rivals Long Sutton in the season finale at Paradise Field on Saturday (12.30pm).
After Spalding won the toss and elected to bat, Town were bowled out for 194.
That target was 23 runs too tall for hosts Harrox, who were dismissed for 171 in their final match of the season.
All eyes now turn to Town’s trip to Sutton. They are 14 points behind the leaders, so a win would be enough for the title.
Long Sutton, who can still finish second, warmed up for that game by defeating Skegness by 42 runs.
After being put into bat, visitors Sutton posted 172-9 from their 40 overs.
Captain and number three Dan Oldfield top scored with 43, while opener Adam Wright hit 19 as they made a reasonable start.
However, Sutton then lost Chris Booth (4), Angus Bell (3), Dan Plant (8) and Barry Stanway (9) cheaply.
They needed a few runs down the order and Jake Burton (34 not out) and Josh Baker (33) duly obliged, giving the away side a score that looked very defendable.
Sutton were sweating a little at the top of the Skegness reply, with Reece Brant (64), Thomas Adlington (22) and Carl Abbiss (11) scoring well. But the bowlers began working their way through the order, with Rob Simpson (4-19), Stanway (2-44) and Burton (2-25) doing the majority of the damage.
Baker also impressed with two run outs, including the key wicket of Brant as the hosts were all out for 130 in just 34 overs.
If Sutton can beat Town in their final game, they will leapfrog them into second.
- Spalding 2nd suffered a 94-run defeat against Belton Park in SLBL West One on Saturday as they finished the season bottom.
Batting first, Harry Adams (61), Tom Helliwell (53), William Helliwell (51 not out) and Matt Law (51 not out) all scored half centuries in Park’s 240-3.
Town’s second string managed a respectable 146-8 in reply, with Kavin Babu (32), Mohammad Alam (25) and George Morris (22) top scoring in their season finale.
- In SLBL East Two, Spalding 3rd (138-8) suffered a 22-run defeat to Freiston 2nd. Stewart Kirtley (72) top scored as Freiston batted first, with Theo Gompertz (3-21) and Will Gardner (3-22) starring with the ball.
Mohammad Alam (46) and Neil Jones (33) were Town’s top scorers in their reply.
Sutton 2nd (89-2) beat Skegness 2nd (85-4) by eight wickets in the same division with James Wright (46 not out) the star turn.
Moulton Harrox 2nd (59 all out) failed to chase down Baston’s 96 as they lost by 37 runs. Lee Eyett’s 5-28 was the Harrox highlight, while team-mates Carl Lamming 3-23 and Stephen Coles (2-13) also chipped in well.
