An incredible 300 partnership between William Wright and Pranav Pothula was the catalyst for Spalding Town’s hefty 223-run defeat at Lindum on Saturday.
Wright made 172 and Pothula 113 as the pair posted a record partnership for the second wicket in the Lincs ECB Premier Division.
That helped the hosts make 319-2 in their 50 overs at Lindum, with Town all out for just 96 in reply after their toiling stint in the field.
The defeat sees Chris Dring’s side fall into the botton two for the first time this season as their losing run stretched to five matches.
Jon Manton, who was Town skipper for the day in the absence of Dring, actually won the toss and opted to put Lindum into bat first.
It looked to be a decent decision early on, with Brandon Andrews (1-61) striking early to get the scalp of Will Taylor for just 12, leaving the hosts on 19-1.
However, that was very much as good as it got for Town as they were punished by two incredible batting displays.
Opener Wright was the aggressor in the record-breaking stand, with his 172 runs coming from just 151 balls – a strike rate of 113.91.
He plundered 21 fours and a six before being out caught and bowled in the very last over by Nilantha Atapattu (1-54).
Number three Pothula wasn’t overshadowed, though. The youngster’s unbeaten 113 came from 126 balls and he helped himself to nine fours.
Spalding knew their chances of victory were slim as they began their reply – and their task got tougher when Mitch Freeman (8) was removed early on by Tom Marshall (2-24).
Ollie Dring (7) and Joe Broomfield (3) also went cheaply to reduce Town to 57-3, but Manton (36) was going well before falling to Jake Benson (2-17).
That triggered a collapse, with Spalding falling from 84-3 to 96 all out as Andy Harris (4-19) ripped through what remained of their batting order.
Only Josh Gurney (12) made double figures, with Brandon Andrews (6), Atapattu (1), Matt Gill (1), Barnaby Dring (0) and Harry DeCamps (0) blown away.
That left Town with no match points at all as they slipped down the table.
Spalding will look to halt their losing run on Saturday as they welcome eighth-placed Bracebridge Heath to Seas End Hall (11.30am).
