Nuwan Jayasena’s amazing bowling figures of 8-41 helped Spalding Town collect ten Lincs ECB Premier League points at high-flying Woodhall Spa on Saturday.
The Sri Lanka all-rounder was on fine form to help bowl out second-placed hosts Spa for 202, before Luke Hollingworth made a determined 61 not out to steer Town to 168-8 in reply.
That represented a losing draw for bottom-of-the-table Spalding, but the ten points they collected sees them close to within nine points of nearest rivals Grimsby Town.
Knocking Woodhall over for 202 was a pretty impressive achievement for Town – considering the title hopefuls put on 103 for the first wicket. That was down to half-centuries from openers Sam Evison (55) and Jack Luffman (57). Skipper Luffman was in fine nick, cracking six fours and a maximum in his 49-ball innings, before Jayasena clean-bowled him.
That triggered a collapse, with Spa reduced to 129-5 in no time at all. Malinga Bandara (3), Chris Anderson (2), Jack Hughes (1) and Ettiene Botha (2) all departed cheaply. All but Anderson were removed by Jayasena, with Dan Milgate (1-80) giving him a helping hand.
Matthew Sargeant (30) did make vital runs down the order before being caught and bowled by Warren Nel (1-27), while wicket-keeper Jack Timby added 22 to ensure Spa passed 200 before Jayasena took the final wicket in the 47th over.
Town promoted teenager Jimmy Hook to opener for the first time as they looked to chase down their target at Jubilee Park – but he was dismissed by Joe Irving (2-25) for just four with the score on 20.
Fellow opener Warren Nel (39) was joined by the recalled Chris Dring and they took the score to 44 before the latter was also snared by Irving.
That brought Hollingworth to the crease – and he played the innings Town needed if they were to have any chance of getting something from the game.
Although Bandara (3-45) got rid of Nel 11 runs shy of his 50, Ben Smith (26) and Hollingworth put on 61 for the fourth wicket as they propelled Town to 129.
They looked a good bet for victory at that stage, but things changed when Ross Dixon (2-51) removed Smith. Bandara then got Milgate for a duck, before Jayasena (8) and Tim Norris (5) went cheaply to leave Spalding reeling.
However, Hollingworth – who hung around for 116 balls – was joined by skipper Rob Ambrose (5 not out) and the pair saw off the last few overs to make a decent day at the office.
Lincs ECB Premier League
Results: Bracebridge Heath 301-9 (Houston 110, Atri 72, Wettasinghe 5-84), Louth 127; Grimsby Town 126 (Rutherford 7-24), Market Rasen 127-4; Grantham 166, Skegness 145 (Epton 50);
Lindum 177-9 (Hornsby 71), Bourne 178-8; Market Deeping 219-8 (Kreik 104), Sleaford 195; Woodhall Spa 202 (Luffman 57, Evison 55, Jayasena 8-41), Spalding 168-8 (Hollingworth 61no).
- South Lincs and Border League results to follow.
