Spalding Town made it seven wins on the spin on Saturday as they saw off Stamford Town by 92 runs to go 28 points clear at the top of the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division.
On a rain-hit day, Town were inserted into bat by their hosts – and didn’t quite manage to replicate their recent explosive form.
However, another half-century from Josh Newton (62) and solid contributions from Ben Smith (33 not out), Warren Nel (23) and Hafiz Majeed (20) steered Rob Ambrose’s side to a satisfactory 170-5 from their 45 overs.
That proved more than enough, as Spalding managed to rip through the Stamford batting line up in just 32.5 overs.
Simon Lem (28) and Alex Birch (11) were the only home players to manage double figures thanks to fine spells from Majeed (4-22), Cameron Roy (3-22), Jack Barratt (2-16) and Dan Milgate (1-14).
Also victorious in the top flight were Long Sutton, who stopped their recent run of defeats with a 46-run victory over hosts Grantham 2nd.
Skipper Phil Barnes top-scored with 42 and Rob Simpson added 29 down the order as they managed 181 batting first.
Simpson returned to take 5-29 as Grantham were dismissed for 135 in reply, with Barry Stanway (3-33) and Jake Burton (2-28) the others to take wickets.
Spalding Town 2nd’s game with Skegness 2nd was rained off in Division One, meaning their perfect start to the season is now over.
They still picked up eight points, though, keeping Mike Kearns’ side 20 points clear at the summit.
Staying in Division One, Moulton Harrox lost by 87 runs against Freiston at Harrox Playing Field.
The visitors posted 183, before Abdul Moeed took 6-18 to dismiss the hosts for 96.
In Division Two, Spalding 3rd also saw their game against Graves Park fall foul of the rain.
Long Sutton 2nd did manage to get their game with Claypole on at Paradise Field, however.
A 70 from James King steered the away side to 209 from their 40 overs, with Andy Shaw (4-47) the pick of the Sutton bowlers.
Sutton could only manage 165 in reply, as Kristian Lennon (7-37) was on inspired form.
Ed Booth (43), Raj Sangha (33) and Andrew Wright (24) all enjoyed good knocks for Sutton as they fell 44 runs shy of their target.
RESULTS (Sat)
South Lincs & Border League
Premier Division: Boston 2nd 132, Market Deeping 2nd 135-1 (Witt 55no); Long Sutton 181, Grantham 2nd 135; Spalding 170-5 (Newton 62), Stamford Town 78; Sleaford 2nd 189, Woodhall Spa 91.
Division One: Baston 81 (Brown 5-17, Rickett 5-17), Billingborough 2nd 85-3; Heckington 73, Welby Cavaliers 74-6; Freiston 183, Moulton Harrox 96 (Moeed 6-18); Grantham 3rd 160-8 (Shaw 76), Timberland 151 (Garfoot 53); Spalding 2nd v Skegness 2nd – cancelled, waterlogged pitch.
Divison Two: Burgh & District 171-9 (Johnson 88), Belton Park 2nd 110-9; Grantham 4th 104, Boston 3rd 105-9; Claypole 209 (King 70), Long Sutton 2nd 165 (Lennon 7-37); Graves Park v Spalding 3rd – cancelled, waterlogged pitch.
Lincs ECB Premier League
Results: Nettleham 90, Bourne 91-5; Sleaford 224-8 (Pienaar 78, Burford 63), Woodhall Spa 162; Skegness 230-7 (Labuschagne 55, Brackley 76), Grimsby Town 27 (Jordan 9-15 inc hat trick);
Bracebridge Heath 297-5 (Whapplington 101, Cook 70), Lindum 134; Boston 147, Market Deeping 138; Louth v Grantham – cancelled, waterlogged pitch.
RESULTS (Sun)
Rutland League
Division Three: Burghley Park 191-6, East Carlton 189; S & L Corby 181-9, Werrington 184-6; Long Sutton conceded against Weldon.
Division Six: Hampton 2nd 256-8, Whittlesey 2nd 140; Newborough 2nd 155-7, Spalding 154; Uffington 2nd 66-2, Moulton Harrox 2nd 65; Ufford Park 2nd 87-2, Long Sutton 2nd 86.
