Moulton Harrox are 19 points clear at the top of the South Lincs Border League Championship table after a 135-run victory over Skegness made it five wins out of five to start the season.
Asked to bat first for the first time this campaign, Jamie Juckes and Ruari Drumm got things off to a strong start, putting on 50 for the first wicket before Drumm was caught for 17.
Matt Barnett was promoted to the top order and made a patient 19 before losing his partner when Juckes’ middle stump went to a slog sweep for a stylish 35.
Matt Rose and Flynn McMillan then joined forces to put on a 128-run stand, both reaching half-centuries.
McMillan holed out on 50 but Rose powered on to 74.
Uddyan Hansana finished the innings in style with a six, taking the total to 239/7.
Captain Rose opened the bowling with his trademark medium pace — steady and accurate. He struck twice early, putting the Seasiders under immediate pressure. Hansana then removed key batter Dorman Brackley. Carl Abbis offered some resistance with a composed 40 but Robbie Townsend removed him and finished with a tidy 2-20.
Curtis Todd continued his strong form with another wicket and McMillan chipped in with two.
Harry Shersby impressed again with two wickets in just his second first XI appearance as Skegness were bowled out for 104, securing maximum points for Moulton.
Hoping to change the form of recent weeks, Harrox’s Rutland Sunday League side bowled first. Dylan Stutkins took an early wicket, well backed up by Oliver Despicht, who took 2-22.
Pradeep Indika carried on his great start to the season, taking 1-24, with Paul Bullock taking a blistering 3-28.
Charlie Poulter picked up 1-13 and Liam Barwick took his maiden senior wicket.
In response, Drumm continued his fine form with a match-winning 91, while Poulter carried on his strong start to the season with 19 and Anish Suwarneraj hit 28.
