Losing the toss proved pivotal for Long Sutton on Saturday as they were edged out by Market Deeping 2nd in a close South Lincs and Border League Premier Division clash at Paradise Field.
Being asked to bat first on a damp, sticky track was always going to be hard work for Sutton – and so it proved.
Early wickets fell thanks to some tight bowling from the Deeping openers, but skipper Phil Barnes stood firm at the other end and tried his best to rotate the strike.
Wickets fell at regular intervals but Dan Oldfield and Barry Stanway both offered Barnes support with some lusty blows.
The captain looked to up the tempo but it proved one shot too many and he departed for a stern 47 from 122 balls.
Deeping thought they had the innings wrapped up, but Jake Burton and Craig Harron saw out the remaining overs and get Sutton to 145-9.
With the wicket drying out it was always going to get easier to bat on and Deeping got off to a flying start against the quicker bowlers.
But spinner Burton was introduced and quickly removed the Deeping skipper thanks to a sharp stumping from Adam Wright.
Joe Broomfield bowled with incredible control at the other end and started to dry the runs up, backed up by some great fielding, especially from Luke Barnes.
With Broomfield and Burton bowled out, part-time seamer Matt Bull was introduced and really began to put Deeping under pressure taking 3-18 from 7 overs.
Despite the wickets tumbling, Deeping reached the finish line with two overs to spare and secured a four-wicket win.
- Long Sutton 2nd (114-6) beat Belton Park 2nd (113) by four wickets in SLBL Division Two thanks to three-wicket hauls from Aaron John (3-17) and Craig Milnes (3-14) plus 28 not out from James Coote.
- Pinchbeck (138) slipped to a two-wicket loss against hosts Graves Park (139-8) in SLBL Division Two.
They could only collect six match points and slip behind Sutton 2nd in the table.
