Ten-man Pinchbeck were left disappointed on Saturday as they lost a high scoring encounter against Grantham in the penultimate over of the match.
Slightly depleted for the South Lincs and Border League Division Two clash, Pinchbeck were in early trouble when the dismissals of Ed Grant and Sam Smith reduced the score to 28-2.
But a magnificent stand of 152 between Danny Jackson and Lee Eyett was the perfect riposte and led the visitors comfortably towards a 200-plus score.
Both players took on the bowling with confidence and an array of positive strokes all around the wicket as the hosts struggled to find a way through.
The stand was eventually broken when Eyett was bowled for 79 (14 fours) by spinner Abbott, who then got Jackson in his next over, denying the Pinchbeck opener a second century of the season when he was also bowled for a brilliant 90.
With ten overs still to bowl a total of 250 was within reach, but Abbott (5-29) cashed in and cut through the rest of the batting to leave Pinchbeck all out for 226.
Despite being a man short in the field, with runs on the board Pinchbeck attempted to apply further pressure on the hosts but were dramatically thwarted by Grantham openers Donnellan and Myles – who put together a brilliant opening stand of 139.
Skipper James Langford stopped the rot, getting Myles caught for 49 off the first ball of his second spell. Smith swiftly added a second wicket but with Donnellan still at the crease Grantham could be confident of victory.
Smith denied the opener a ton when he enticed him to edge to slip for a gallant 93 and give Pinchbeck some refreshed hope as Grantham’s middle order pushed for the winning line.
Smith claimed two more victims and a brace from Eyett ticked over the wickets column but it was Abbott who followed up his earlier five-wicket haul with a crucial 35 that carried Grantham close enough and victory was sealed in the 44th over.
