Skipper Mike Kearns saluted swing bowler Jamie Juckes as he helped Spalding Town 2nd extend their winning run in South Lincs and Border League Division One to seven games on Saturday.
Juckes recorded figures of 6-15 – including three wickets in four balls – to help dismiss hosts Freiston L&L for just 55 in reply to Town’s 126 batting first.
Freiston – who went into the game in second place – won the toss and elected to field first against table-topping Spalding. It looked a good call, as things didn’t look too good for the visitors early on as they were soon reduced to 26-4.
However, the pairing of Spalding’s experienced duo Simon Juckes (53) and Mike Kearns (26) steadied the ship.
They ground out the score to 75 against some hostile bowling that had previously caused Spalding’s Ansar Hussain to retire hurt from the crease.
The loss of Kearns quickly followed by Jamie Juckes, looked to have swung the game back in Freiston’s favour and at 82-7, not for the first time this season, Spalding looked in dire straits.
Nevertheless, Simon Juckes had other ideas and – with the help of Nohman Ahmad (10) – they pushed the score to 126 all out at tea.
A trio of Freiston bowlers managed three wickets apiece, with Oliver Booth (3-27), Taimur Mian (3-29) and Tommy Atkinson (3-38) all on-song.
In reply, Freiston made hard work of getting to 43-1 off their first 17 overs – but having made 267 the previous week they looked confident and in control with wickets in hand.
However, a change to Spalding’s bowling attack soon paid dividends as Ansar Hussain (3-7) snapped up openers Abdul Moeed (19) and Richard Paul (17).
At the other end, Jamie Juckes bowled a six-over spell that was later described by skipper Kearns as “a truly outstanding spell of swing bowling” to help skittle Freiston for a mere 55.
Kearns added: “We were on the back foot for 65 of the 71 overs in this game.
“Jamie’s three wickets in four balls and Ansar’s spell changed this game around in the blink of an eye.
“This was clearly our biggest challenge and best win of the season to date.
“Freiston bowled superbly and it must be said, played the game in a good spirit.”
Town, who are now 31 points clear at the top of Division One, have won all seven of their games so far this season.
They host Skegness 2nd at the Memorial Field on Saturday (1.30pm).
