Spalding Town 1st grabbed their first win of the new Lincs ECB Premier League season on Saturday as they beat hosts Louth by three wickets.
After suffering back-to-back defeats at the start of the season, promoted Town are finally up and running after securing maximum points at London Road.
Spalding skipper Chris Dring won the toss and opted to bowl first, dismissing the hosts for 185 in 49.5 overs.
In reply, a fine 63 from Aussie opener Mitch Freeman helped steer Town to 186-7 in 42.5 overs as they survived a late wobble to secure all 20 points.
Having won the toss and put Louth in, Dring will have been pleased to see the home team stuggling on 37-3 early on.
Brandon Andrews (2-26) struck twice to get rid of openers Laurence Scott (12) and Samueal Jones (15), before Nilantha Atapattu (2-24) took Graham West’s scalp for just four.
Jason Collinson (11) and Andrew White (62) then moved the score on to 80 before Josh Lawrence (2-35) had the former caught.
White hit three sixes and a four as he pushed Louth into three figures, but wickets fell regularly around him.
Darry DeCamps (1-44) got Henry Tye (4), while Lawrence removed Josh Carrington (23) and Atapattu returned to dismiss Regardt Koen (10).
It was Freeman (2-41) who finally got White, while he also struck to get rid of Tom Cuthbert (1) before Jon Manton ran out Pat Byrne (1) to finish things off.
In reply, all of Spalding’s top five contributed towards the target.
Manton (13) was first man out with the score on 23, but Freeman and Josh Lawrence (32) put on 72 for the second wicket.
Likewise, Freeman and Dring (32) added 49 for the third wicket to take the score up to 144-3.
Atapattu (22) also scored well but a few quick wickets left Spalding a little nervy before they eventually got over the line with three wickets to spare with Andrews (2 not out) getting the winning runs in the 43rd over.
The win moves Town up to ninth ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Lindum at Seas End Hall (11.30am).
Fixtures (Sat, 11.30am unless stated): Bourne v Bracebridge Heath; Grantham v Nettleham; Skegness v Sleaford; Spalding v Lindum; Woodhall Spa v Louth; Market Deeping v Scunthorpe Town (noon).
