Long Sutton lost ground in the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division title race after suffering an eight-wicket defeat against table-toppers Grantham 2nd on Saturday.
After being put into bat by their opposition, Josh Baker top scored with 37 as Sutton were knocked over for 157 in 38.2 overs at Paradise Field.
Grantham made light work of their target as they raced to 160-2 in just 27.2 overs thanks to half-centuries from Martin Parmley (56) and Stewart Mudie (50 not out).
The defeat sees Sutton, who took four points, fall 22 points behind their conquerers.
Sutton lost experienced opener Phil Barnes for a second-ball duck early on, while Adam Wright (16) and Dan Oldfield (9) both went relatively cheaply.
Tim Norris (25) and Ed Barnes (25 not out) did their best to rebuild, but Grantham – led by an inspired JJ Singh Gangotra (5-46) – kept chipping away.
It was he who ended a nice cameo from Baker, who slapped six fours in his rapid fire 37, which came from just 16 balls.
Rahul Kumar (2-19) and Matt Barry (2-23) were the other chief wicket takers for Grantham, who looked very assured in their reply.
Indeed, it looked like Parmley and skipper Mudie might get the job done on their own before spinner Jake Burton (2-47) disturbed the former’s stumps shortly after he passed 50.
Burton also had Danny Ashley out for 20 as he pinned him LBW, but D’ahri Hughes-Francis (15 not out) joined Mudie at the crease and the pair got Grantham home in the 28th over with eight wickets to spare.
This Saturday sees another tough game for Sutton as they visit third-placed Boston (1pm).
- Long Sutton 2nd romped to a 158-run victory over hosts Uffington in Division Two as they made it three wins from six games so far this season.
Calvin Bird (58) top scored, while opening partner Andrew Wright managed 34, number three Jamie
Taylor added 23 and Tom Leader (23) also contributed nicely.
There was also a fine 42 down the order from Joe Whitaker as Sutton posted a great total of 250-8, despite the best efforts of Jak Garner (3-28).
With the ball, both steven Milnes (4-25) and Milly Hastings (4-19) were on red hot form to knock over Uffington for just 92 in 31 overs.
Only two home players made double figures, with Kobe Wiles (27) top scoring.
Sutton’s second string host Boston 3rd on Saturday (1pm).
- Long Sutton’s Sunday side collected five points from their Rutland League Division Two fixture at March Town after the game was abandoned due to rain.
Sutton stay third in the table, some 16 points off leaders Market Deeping.
They are without a game this weekend.
There was a defeat for Sutton’s Sunday 2nd side as they went down by 88 runs against Castor & Ailsworth in Division Four East.
Connor Parnell made a super 111 as Castor posted 200-6 from 40 overs, with Rob Simpson (2-28) and Callum John (2-41) impressing with the ball.
Sutton were all out for 112 in reply, with John’s 18 the best score on offer.
In the same division, Moulton Harrox lost by four wickets against City CC 2nd.
Danny Jackson’s 64 not out was by far the highlight of their 123-9 at Harrox Field, as Wahab Anwas starred with 4-16.
Lewis Martin (3-19) impressed for Moulton in City’s reply, but they reached 124-6 in the 32nd over.
Moulton are back in home action this Sunday as they welcome second-placed Orton Park (12.30pm).
In Division Three, Spalding Town will make the trip to Werrington Town on Sunday (12.30pm) as they bid to climb off the bottom.
