A sensational bowling performance saw Spalding Town turn the South Lincs & Border League Premier Division title contest into a two-horse race on Saturday.
Cameron Roy and Hafiz Majeed both claimed fantastic five-wicket hauls as Spalding skittled Boston 2nd out for just 47 runs.
Spalding’s success ended any faint hopes that Boston – who started the day in third place – might have had of challenging Town and Sleaford 2nd for the title.
Sleaford now trail Spalding by eight points with a game in hand after their high-scoring victory over Market Deeping 2nd, who are back in third more than 50 points adrift of the top two.
Spalding had been put into bat by hosts Boston who made a strong start to the contest.
The returning Josh Newton was run out for just two while prolific batsman Majeed was trapped lbw first ball by Daniel Lumley.
However, Spalding recovered with opener Jimmy Hook (43), Warren Nel (28), Tim Norris (18), Dan Milgate (21), Jack Barratt (17) and David Thomas (25) all making steady contributions.
Spalding eventually reached 187 from their 45 overs with Josh Lawrence being run out off the final ball of the innings.
Boston’s reply lasted less than 15 overs as their batsmen had no answer to the bowling of Roy and Majeed.
Boston’s reply lasted less than 15 overs as their batsmen had no answer to the bowling of Roy and Majeed.
Opener Mahir Yousuff was their only player to reach double figures as Roy returned 5-24 and Majeed 5-21 to maintain Spalding’s grip on top spot.
Table-topping Spalding 2nd were without a game at the weekend, but their title hopes received a welcome boost with second-placed Freiston suffering a shock defeat against lowly Heckington.
Freiston’s failure to capitalise on Town’s inactivity saw them dismissed for 49 in pursuit of Heckington’s 107 all out.
Spalding, who host Heckington this Saturday, now hold a 13-point lead over Freiston with both sides having played the same amount of games.
Baston are still in contention for a top-two finish after claiming a six-wicket victory over Moulton Harrox.
Joe Broomfield top-scored for Moulton with 62 as they made 159-8 from their 45 overs at Broad Lane.
Joe Lyon hit an unbeaten 29 with William Naylor making the same score before becoming one of Adam Hilless’ three wickets.
James Tickler (52) and Liam Davies (43) laid the foundations for Baston’s reply as they reached their target for the loss of four wickets.
Alex Baker claimed two wickets as Moulton used seven bowlers in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to stall Baston’s charge.
Spalding 3rd ensured Grantham 4th are still searching for their maiden victory in Division Two.
They dismissed Grantham for 116 with Alex Want, Matthew Sharpe, Amelia Gardner and Jon Manton all taking two wickets each.
Manton then led the Town charge with an unbeaten 73, which included 14 fours and one six. He was ably supported by Ben Edwards (26no) as Town reached their target inside 28 overs.
Pinchbeck suffered a 19-run defeat against third-placed Graves Park.
Alex Watkins claimed 4-19 from six overs and James Langford 3-21 from an eight-over stint as Graves Park were dismissed for 119.
However, Danny Jackson (49) and Langford (28) were the only Pinchbeck batsmen to reach double figures as they were bowled out after reaching the century mark.
