Long Sutton slipped to their first defeat of the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division season on Saturday as table-topping title rivals Skegness powered to an eight-wicket win at Paradise Field.
With just two points between them at the start of play, hosts Sutton lost the toss and were inserted into bat – only to be bowled out for 143 in 37.2 overs.
An unbeaten century from ex-Spalding Town stalwart Warren Nel then steered Skegness to victory, as they breezed to 145-2 in only 24.4 overs in reply and claimed the maximum 20 points to Sutton’s three.
Sutton have impressed with the bat this season, but struggled to score freely on Saturday. Peter Cook (50) and skipper Dan Oldfield (26) both managed solid knocks, but the usual power hitting down the order was lacking this week.
That was largely due to the efforts of Nel (5-43) and Norman Brackley (3-31), who both put in great shifts with the ball.
In reply, the visitors never really looked in any danger as they eased to victory.
Spinner Rob Simpson grabbed his customary two wickets to remove Reece Brant (15) and Carl Abbiss (7), but Nel was in no mood to give up his wicket.
The usually watchful opener made 100 not out from 87 deliveries, aided by the support of Jamie Epton (14 not out).
The defeat sees Sutton drop to third in the table, some 21 points behind Skegness and now four off second-placed Sleaford.
Staying in the top flight, Spalding Town picked up their third win of the season as they defeated Belton Park by 116 runs at Seas End Hall.
Batting first on home soil, Town enjoyed themselves and racked up 206-6 from their 45 overs.
Despite losing Jon Manton (11) and Jay White (7) relatively cheaply, Ollie Dring (30) and Nilantha Atapattu (71) ensured Town were heading in the right direction.
Once that partnership ended, Will Steed (0) quickly followed – but Ben Smith (34) and skipper Chris Dring (29 not out) stepped up to the plate and took the score past 200.
Spalding’s bowlers were on stellar form after the interval, as they set about skittling Belton out in 22.3 overs. Harry DeCamps (4-24), Will Naylor (3-19) and Atapattu (2-14) dovetailed nicely to take the wickets, with only Dan Turner (30) making a score of any note for the visitors.
The win sees Spalding go fifth, six points off fourth-placed Bourne 2nd.
The other game in the top tier saw Moulton Harrox suffer a 104-run reverse against Sleaford 2nd.
Sleaford posted 188-9 from their 45 overs at Harrox Field, before Moulton slumped to 84 all out in 36 overs to bag just four points and slip to ninth.
- Down in Division Two, Spalding Town 3rd suffered a 73-run defeat against Billingborough 2nd.
Hosts Boro’ were all out for 162 in their 45 overs, before Town were dismissed for 69 in 28.5 overs chasing a revised target of 143.
Meanwhile, Long Sutton 2nd conceded to Uffington and suffer a ten-point penalty as a result.
Selected SLBL fixtures: Premier Division (Sat, 1pm): Freiston v Spalding; Deeping 2nd v Moulton Harrox; Sleaford 2nd v Long Sutton. Division One (Sat, 1pm): Moulton Harrox 2nd v Billingborough; Spalding 2nd v Boston 3rd. Division Two (Sat, 1pm): Long Sutton 2nd v Heckington 2nd; Spalding 3rd v Belton Park 2nd.
Rutland Cricket League: Results (Sun): Division Three – Oakham 2nd 183-9, Long Sutton 1st 233-6. Division Four East – Long Sutton 2nd 117-7, Uffington 2nd 204-5; Newborough 2nd 137-6, Moulton Harrox 1st 139-8.
Fixtures (Sun, 12.30pm): Division Three – Long Sutton 1st v Hampton 1st; Werrington 2nd v Spalding 1st. Division Four East – Moulton Harrox 1st v Long Sutton 2nd.
