Freeman’s half-century is in vain

Spalding suffered a heavy defeat in their first match of the Lincolnshire Premier League season. Chasing visitors’ Lindum’s 50-over 226/2 total, Spalding were bowled out for 141 in the 47th over.
Opener William Wright (116no) and Robert Cook (61no) were their chief tormentors, sharing an unbroken third-wicket stand of 147.
Mitch Freeman hit a six and four 4s on his way to 52 but Chris Dring (26) and lower-order bats Nilantha Atapattu (16) and Harry Birch (15no) were the only others to reach double figures in the reply.
Long Sutton made it two wins out of two in the South Lincs and Border Premier League Championship with a convincing seven-wicket win at Newborough.
The Huntingdonshire side were bowled out for 153 and Sutton reached their target inside 43 overs, with Tim Norris (62) and Jacob Gray (30) sharing an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 80. Earlier, Josh Baker (4-30) and Jake Burton (3-15) had shackled the hosts.
Moulton started their campaign with a trip to Boston Seconds and returned with a 10-run victory. Captain Chris Beale lost the toss with Boston’s Luke Gilding having no hesitation in sticking Moulton in to bat in overcast conditions.
Moulton had a challenging start with Jamie Juckes bowled for a single before a period of consolidation with Beale and Josh Newton building the score up to 34. Newton played an uncharacteristic hack at a wide ball, being caught behind for 9. Beale quickly followed, also edging behind, leaving Moulton on 34/3.
That brought Jamie Kitchen and Matt Rose to the crease and a brutal partnership between the all rounders ensued, with Kitchen racing to 50. Man of the match Rose was out for 53, followed by Kitchen on 90 – a top five club record partnership of 153. Cam Fox then added 10 from 11 balls as Moulton finished on an above par 215/5.
Boston started poorly with William Tetther trapped in front by Kitchen. Ben Troops was dropped by Beale on 20 and went on to hit an unbeaten 99. Boston stayed close to the run rate but Rose (3-26) led the attack well and ensured they were unable to keep up. Tight spells from Simon Juckes (1-22), Steven Coles (1-44) and Curtis Todd (1-38) ensured their target was out of reach.
Captain Beale said: “Boston away is always a challenge. They are an experienced squad and competitive. Jamie scoring a brutal 90 on his debut really set us up and has shown that we are a force to be reckoned with. We are really pleased that we managed to retain Rosey. We had a lot of competition with teams in the Middlesex, Surrey and East Anglian Premier Leagues trying to sign him. I am confident we will comfortably be in the top four, if not top two.”
Moulton’s second XI secured victory over Orton Park Seconds in Division One after bowling their guests out for 74.
The ever-impressive Harry Lovell (2-18) struck first in his third over, supported by Cam Fox, who was impossible to get away (six overs, 0-6).
Man of the match Anish Suwarneraj (3-12) joined the attack and made light work of the Orton top order, with experienced campaigner Joe Broomfield (2-7) guiding the middle overs until 14-year-old Zak Maddison was thrown the ball. Showing both ability and maturity beyond his years, a talented display of leg spin bowling saw him take 3-15.
Mark Ramsden led from the front with a well-guided 19 but with some challenges along the way and unexpectedly losing the experienced Joseph Broomfield, Clive Bayston and Hibbert for 20, it was left to Lovell (14) and Suwarneraj (7no) to steer the ship home with three wickets in hand.
Captain Ramsden said: “Our bowling and fielding was outstanding, with no errors in the field and no dropped catches.
“We had four u15s, an u17 and an u18 playing, who all contributed to bowling out the team who finished third in our division last year for just 74.
“It was an incredible performance and it will be exciting to see what dizzy heights Zak Madison is going to reach.”
Spalding Seconds’ match at Castor & Ailsworth was cancelled, with the teams earning eight points each.
Long Sutton Seconds enjoyed a six-wicket win over Billingborough Seconds in Division Two after bowling out the visitors for 48.
Rob Simpson took 3-2 from his 3.5 overs, with a brace apiece for James Baker (2-7) and Steven Miles (2-18).
Dinesh Elangovan top-scored in the reply with 25.
Spalding Thirds do not start their campaign until May 6, when they welcome Uffington to the Memorial Ground.
A new Rutland League season gets under way on Sunday with Long Sutton greeting Newborough at Paradise Field in Division Two, Moulton Harrox taking on Ufford Park and Long Sutton Seconds at United Sports in Division Four East.