Spalding Town’s early challenge for the South Lincolnshire and Border League Premier Division championship continued on Saturday with an eight-wicket win over Billingborough.
With visitors Billingborough winning the toss at Spalding Grammar School and electing to bat, Town were left pretty happy when they dismissed their rivals for 145 in 35.1 overs.
Jack Barratt (4-40) was the pick of the bowlers, but Jimmy Hook (2-36), Hafiz Majeed (2-30) and Roy Tilley (2-32) all chipped in too.
Spalding’s stellar openers Warren Nel (34) and Josh Newton (35) didn’t quite fire like they have been in recent weeks, but Majeed (46 not out) and Ben Smith (17 not out) eased the hosts to 146-2 in their reply.
That ensured a maximum 20-point haul for Rob Ambrose’s side, who are now 17 points clear at the top.
Behind Spalding, Boston 2nd remain in contention after beating Woodhall Spa 2nd by eight wickets as Mick Troops took five wickets.
Bourne 2nd are third with Market Deeping 2nd in fourth after both sides failed to bowl out their opposition, missing out on the full 20 points.
Bourne restricted Stamford Town to 162-8, going on to win by five wickets with Joe Evison hitting an unbeaten 72, while Deeping overtook Long Sutton’s 145-9, also for the loss of five wickets, Ryan Bainborough making 51.
Grantham recorded the highest team score in the division with 237-6, of which Rory Johnson made 57 not out and Danny Ashley then took six wickets as Belton Park were all out for 75.
Spalding also head Division One, with Town’s 2nd XI beating Grantham 3rd, with Freiston in second place but with a game in hand.
These two are drawing ahead of the chasing pack with Moulton Harrox in third after a 30-run win over Timberland. They were inspired by an incredible 143 not out from Jack Barnett, who batted all the way through the innings.
Freiston made a massive 270-8, Waseem Ilyas hitting 84 and Abdul Moeed 67, before bowling Skegness 2nd out for 136 and in Spalding’s victory, Rob Noble hit 59 for the leaders and Adrian Wing took five wickets for Grantham.
Division Two leaders Claypole were without a game but stay four points ahead of Graves Park, who beat Pinchbeck by two wickets. Martin Hodgson took five wickets and Jack Ashton hit 50 for them.
Boston 3rd are ten points behind Graves Park with a game in hand after a win over Burgh & District and Long Sutton 2nd beat Belton Park 2nd by four wickets to go fourth.
In the South Lincolnshire & Border League Cup Group C, Baston won through to the semi-finals, beating Grantham 4th.
SOUTH LINCS & BORDER LEAGUE RESULTS (Saturday)
Premier Division: Woodhall Spa 2nd 90 (M Troops 5-43), Boston 2nd 91-2; Stamford Town 162-8, Bourne 2nd 164-5 (J Evison 72no); Grantham 2nd 237-6 (Johnson 57no), Belton Park 75 (Ashley 6-23); Long Sutton 145-9, Market Deeping 2nd 146-5 (Bainborough 51); Billingborough 145, Spalding 146-2.
Division One: Spalding 2nd 177-8 (Noble 59, Wing 5-23), Grantham 3rd 72; Billingborough 2nd 142 (Pilgrim 52), Heckington 97; Freiston 270-8 (Ilyas 84, Moeed 67|), Skegness 2nd 136;
Moulton Harrox 225-9, Timberland 195.
Division Two: Pinchbeck 138 (Hodgson 5-20), Graves Park 139-8 (Ashton 50); Burgh & District 72, Boston 3rd 73-1; Belton Park 2nd 113, Long Sutton 2nd 114-6.
SLBL Cup: Baston 202-6, Grantham 4th 104
