Spalding Town moved up to second place in the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division after making it sevens wins on the spin with a two-wicket triumph over Skegness.
Visitors Skegness set a total of 183-7 batting first at Seas End Hall on Saturday, as Jamie Epton (105 not out) smashed a sensational century.
Town’s reply took things right down to the wire, but key knocks from skipper Chris Dring (50) and Josh Lawrence (60 not out) got them to 184-8 with five balls left.
Skegness’ innings was dominated by Epton, with the next biggest away score being Reece Brant’s modest 15 from 58 balls.
Epton anchored the 45 overs, though, cracking 12 fours in is 125-ball knock.
Spalding’s four bowlers all impressed, with Nilantha Atapattu (3-27), Joseph Broomfield (2-37), Brandon Andrews (1-49) and Josh Lawrence (1-65) all doing their part to secure three bowling points for the team.
Town’s reply saw wickets tumbling early on, as Jon Manton (1), Jay White (0), Ollie Dring (1) and Nilantha Atapattu (2) all went cheaply.
However, skipper Chris Dring’s 50 from 58 balls, which included seven fours, kept the scoreboard ticking over and Spalding were 64-5 when he was dismissed.
Ethan Lawrence (0) also went quickly, but Ben Smith (20) and Josh Lawrence got the hosts back on track.
Joe Broomfield (24) was next in and scored quickly, before Matt Gill (4 not out) kept Josh Lawrence company in a match-winning 39-run stand for the ninth wicket.
Town’s eighth win of the season leaves them 38 points behind leaders Sleaford 2nd.
The top two meet this weekend at Sleaford (1pm).
Elsewhere in the top flight, rivals Moulton Harrox and Long Sutton played out a remarkable tie at Paradise Field.
Hosts Sutton batted first and were bowled out by the South Holland neighbours for 189 in 43.4 overs.
Likewise, Harrox were all out for 189 in the 45th over of their run chase meaning both teams took 14 match points each.
That leaves Sutton fourth, just seven points shy of Spalding, while Harrox are down in tenth.
In Division One, Moulton Harrox 2nd suffered a 44-run home defeat against Orton Park 2nd.
Hosts Harrox won the toss and opted to field, but Park racked up a strong 209-6.
Moulton’s second string reached 165 in their reply before being bowled out, collecting just six points to stay fifth in the process.
Down in Division Two, there was another South Holland derby between Spalding Town 3rd and Long Sutton 2nd.
Batting first at the Memorial Field, Town managed 181-2 from a revised total of 35 overs.
William Gardner (55 not out), Barnaby Dring (51 not out), Kavin Babu (45) and Andrew Sorrell (13) got the runs for the hosts.
Meanwhile, Ed Munson (1-24) and Emmy Gittins (1-29) plugged away and grabbed a wicket apiece for Sutton.
In reply, Jeremy Smith’s 31 was the only real score of note for the visitors, who closed on 111-7 from their 35 overs.
Town’s 18 points send them seventh, while Sutton drop to the bottom of the standings.
- Spalding Town moved off the foot of the Rutland League Division Three table with a 92-run success at Ketton Sports on Sunday.
Town managed 196-6 from their 45 overs batting first, before bowling their hosts out for 104 in 35 overs to collect 18 points.
In Division Four East, Long Sutton 2nd are still seeking a first win of the season after being handed a 145-run reverse by hosts Newborough 2nd.
Joe Mills’ unbeaten 97 was the highlight of their 198-2 (28.5 overs), while Craig Milnes (2-36) took both wickets for Sutton.
Their reply didn’t go well, with the side from Paradise Field knocked over for just 47 in 15 overs.
Only Steven (13) and Craig (12) Milnes managed double figures for Sutton, who are seventh out of eight teams in the standings.
Fixtures
South Lincs and Border League (Saturday, 1pm): Prem – Boston 2nd v Moulton Harrox; Long Sutton v Grantham 2nd; Sleaford 2nd v Spalding Town. D1 – Moulton Harrox 2nd v Heckington; Spalding Town 2nd v Newborough.
Rutland League (Sunday, 12.30pm): D3 – Castor v Long Sutton; Spalding Town v Oakham 2nd. D4E – Long Sutton 2nd v Peterborough Town 2nd; Ufford Park 2nd v Moulton Harrox.
