A fantastic four-wicket haul from Harry DeCamps helped Spalding Town defeat rivals Long Sutton by 69 runs in Rutland League Division Three on Sunday.
After being put into bat by visitors Sutton, Spalding cracked 152-8 with Jon Manton (34) and Decamps (31 not out) top scoring.
Sutton were unable to chase that total down in reply, with DeCamps (4-7) starring as they slumped to 83 all out in 34 overs.
Despite their victory, Town made a dreaful start to their innings as they lost openers Ollie Dring and Ethan Lawrence for ducks.
Jay White (6) and Josh Lawrence (8) also went cheaply, but Manton, Matt Gill (28) and DeCamps did a strong rebuilding job and helped set a reasonable score to defend.
For Sutton, Josh Baker (2-37), Adam Whitaker (2-29) and Jake Burton (2-24) all performed well with the ball.
In reply, the away side struggled to score and lost wickets at regular intervals.
Top trio Phil Barnes (6), Peter Cook (2) and Callum John (1) all went cheaply as they made a slow start.
Ed Barnes (14), Burton (19) and Whitaker (14) did their best to fight back, but they were the only three to make double figures.
Will Naylor (2-10), Josh Lawrence (2-13) and Brandon Andrews (1-12) backed up DeCamps well for Town, as they finally grabbed their first win of the season.
Spalding were also on winning form at Belton Park in the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division.
Town moved up to fourth in the table by making it six wins on the spin, posting 162-8 batting first.
Belton pushed them all the way in their reply, but ended up just seven runs short on 155-7.
They are now South Holland’s highest-placed team after Long Sutton suffered a five-wicket defeat at Bourne 2nd in a low-scoring match.
Sutton were bowled out for 84 batting first at the Abbey Lawn, with only Ed Barnes (20) and number 11 Rob Simpson (11) making double figures.
Josh Baker (2-25) and Barry Stanway (2-28) did their best to pile the pressure on Bourne, but they made it to 86-5 for maximum points. Sutton’s two-point haul sees them fall to a season-low fifth in the standings.
Also beaten in the top flight were Moulton Harrox, who were handed a six-wicket reverse by Freiston.
Decent knocks from Matt Barnett (43), Chris Beale (27), Alin Carter (20), Jake Morton (19) and Henry Lavery (14 not out) helped Harrox to 154-7 batting first at Broad Lane.
Stephen Coles (2-41) bowled well in the reply, but Freiston looked assured at they reached 155-4 in the 43rd over, Abdul Moeed (42) top scoring.
In Division One, Moulton Harrox 2nd (129) beat hosts Ancaster (114) by 15 runs.
Mike Keanrs Snr (73) starred with the bat for Moulton, but it was stunning figures of 8-18 from Harry Lovell that secured the win.
In the same division, Spalding 2nd (101) suffered a narrow two-wicket home loss against Grantham 3rd (103-8).
Matt Gill’s 38 was Spalding’s top knock, while Neo Timothy’s 4-24 came close to swinging the game Town’s way.
Down in Division Two, Long Sutton 2nd (185-8) enjoyed an 87-run win over Skegness (98).
James Wright (43) and Jack Baker (30) powered their innings, while Ed Munson (3-11) and Steven Milnes (3-11) delivered with the ball.
Fixtures: SLBL (Saturday, 1pm): Prem – Long Sutton v Moulton Harrox; Spalding v Skegness. D1 – Moulton Harrox 2nd v Orton Park 2nd. D2 – Spalding 3rd v Long Sutton 2nd.
Rutland League (Sunday, 12.30pm): D3 – Ketton v Spalding Town. D4E – Newborough 2nd v Long Sutton 2nd.
