Long Sutton suffered an agonising one-wicket defeat against Woodhall Spa 2nd at Jubilee Park on Saturday.
Batting first in the South Lincs and Border Premier Division clash, Sutton posted a fine 220-8 from their 45 overs – with Adam Wright top scoring on 70.
However, hosts Spa edged to 221-9 in 39.3 overs to break Sutton’s hearts on what was a very warm day out in the middle.
After skipper Phil Barnes won the toss and elected to bat, Sutton lost opener Ray Sangha for a duck as Sam Cherry (3-44) trapped him LBW.
A super 101 stand from Wright and Barnes (40) ensured that the early loss didn’t hit the visitors too hard, with Barnes eventually falling to Matt Haslam (5-56).
Haslam also picked up the dangerous Barry Stanway (8), before Wright – who hit ten fours in his 70 – became his third victim with the score on 142-4.
Dan Olfield (5) fell to Haslam too, before a flurry from Aaron John (31), Luke Barnes (14) and Will Naylor (10) helped Sutton set a challenging total of 220-8.
Sutton started well with the ball, too, with Naylor (1-13) bowling Tom Dixon (15) and Stanway (1-48) cleaning up Alex Hodson for 2 to leave Spa on 28-2.
However, Matt Sargeant (65) and Sam Cherry (26) put on 103 for the third wicket to put the hosts back in command.
That changed when Sangha (1-14) got Sargeant and Oldfield (2-53) bowled Cherry with the score on 131.
Sutton continued to take wickets, but scores of 24 from Adam Barker and an unbeaten 36 by James White ultimately got the job done for the home side despite 2-25 from Angus Bell.
Sutton visit Boston 2nd on Saturday (1pm).
- Long Sutton 2nd enjoyed a 38-run victory over Freiston 2nd at Paradise Field on Saturday.
A cool 33 from opener Andrew Wright was the highlight as Sutton were bowled out for just 85 after being put into bat, John Paul Horton taking 6-41. Sutton then bowled out Freiston for 47, with Ed Munson (4-19) and Emmy Gittins (3-2) starring.
