Spalding did just enough to avoid a bottom-two finish in the Lincolnshire Board Premier League in a 94-run defeat at Market Deeping.
The hosts rattled up 362/4 and Spalding ran out of overs in reply on 268/6. However, that was enough to secure six points and push them 25 points off the bottom two with one game, and 20 points still to play for.
A 211-run third-wicket stand between Hayatullah Niazi (149) and Jairus Charles (56) was the foundation of the hosts’ mammoth score.
Spalding used seven bowlers to try to find a breakthrough. Brandon Andrews impressed with 3-57 from his 10 overs including the prize wicket of Niazi’s, caught by Ben Sacker after hitting 14 4s and 11 6s.
Spalding also put together an impressive stand with a partnership of 128 between Nilantha Atapattu (83) and Josh Lawrence (67no) for the fifth wicket keeping them in the game
A five-wicket defeat at Grantham was not enough to stop Long Sutton moving to the brink of clinching the South Lincs & Border Championship title.
They picked up four points to scramble 21 clear of Newborough with just 20 points left to play for, although local rivals Moulton Harrox are 38 points adrift with two games to play and could overhaul them.
It means Sutton need to pick up a minimum of three points from their final match of the season at Freiston, Leake & Leverton on Saturday.
Sutton were bowled out for 136 on Saturday. Paul Edgeller (38) and Daniel Oldfield (34) made a go of it with a 78-run stand for the fifth wicket but openers Nathan Oliver (18) and Calvin Bird (14) were the only others to reach double figures.
Jake Burton (2-29) and Charlie Crisp (2-34) ensured the hosts could not relax but they reached their target with more than 11 overs in hand.
Moulton Harrox kept alive their slim title hopes with a 104-run win at Orton.
Opener Jamie Kitchen (53), Matthew Rose (37), Josh Newton (26) and Jake Morton (24no) all chipped in to secure a handy 208/8 before Kitchen earned the man of the match honours with a 6-27 haul to help send the hosts packing for just half of their target.
Spalding Seconds were skittled for only 70 in reply to Ancaster’s 291/5 in Division One.
Will Harris’ unbeaten 175 was the main difference between the sides.
The Division Two derby proved to be an anti-climax with Spalding Thirds scratching to allow hosts Long Sutton Seconds a walkover.
- Breaking News
