Josh Newton reckons Spalding Town 1st’s big win over Billingborough at the weekend was the perfect preparation for an anticipated bigger task this Saturday.
Town’s current number three batsmen says morale is good in the camp ahead of the trip to Lincs ECB Premier Division leaders Bourne (noon).
He said: “They beat us pretty convincingly at our place early in the season so we’ll certainly look to put in a good performance this time and see where it takes us.
“We know they’re a good side, particularly with the bat, so we’ll be working hard to restrict them.”
Newton was called upon early on Saturday after opener Thivanka Rajaratne fell to a Nathan Mill catch off Jonathan Miles for just four runs
But with Warren Nel, Newton steadied things and hit eight fours while making 45.
He went to a Mill caught and bowled, while Nel perished on 61 to a catch off David Gollop’s bowling.
Henry Charlton added a useful 39 and Charlie Kearns chipped in with 26 before Town closed on 224 for nine.
Only three Billingborough players managed to reach double figures as Jack Barratt (five for 29) and Nuwan Jayasena did the bulk of the damage after Kearns and Charlton had removed the openers.
The visitors held out for just over 40 overs, finishing 100 runs adrift.
Newton said: “Nuwan bowled very well and Jack did fantastic, showing something like the ability we all know he’s capable of.
“It’s good too to have Henry back in the side – he definitely adds balance to us and he’s now with us for the rest of the season.”
He added: “It’s good to beat Billingborough at home. Two years ago they beat us at our place, but we then won at theirs to win the championship.”
Bourne increased the gap at the top of the table to 35 points after beating Sleaford in a high-scoring game.
An unbeaten 71 from Pete Morgan saw them to a six-wicket win.
Meanwhile, Division One leaders Spalding 2nd scored the highest total of the day in South Lincs and Border League.
Ansar Hussain smacked 76 and Simon Juckes 61 as Town made 235 and then bowled out Boston 2nd for 145.
Long Sutton 2nd were involved in a nailbiter at home to Heckington, in a match reduced to 30 overs a side.
Chris Morley made an unbeaten 49 in Heckington’s 119 for five – and at the close Long Sutton were just two short of their target on 117 for seven.
