It was a super seven at the seaside for Moulton Harrox in the South Lincs Border League Championship on Saturday.
A 34-run success at Skegness kept Matt Rose’s team 17 points clear at the top of the table with their seventh win in as many games.
Rose lost the toss and was asked to bat first on a breezy afternoon. Jamie Juckes and Ruari Drumm opened the innings but Drumm was bowled early by Skegness’ overseas man Christopher Varie.
Josh Newton joined Juckes and the pair battered the home attack. Juckes chipped and sliced anything in his zone on his way to a rapid 49 before a wild swing saw his off stump go cartwheeling.
Rose joined Newton and the pair turned up the heat with Newton racing past 50 before rain stopped play, leaving him high and dry on 88 not out. Rose finished unbeaten on 37 as Moulton posted 194/2 from 35.2 overs.
Harry Lovell (3-35), Flynn McMillan (2-16) and Rose (2-35) struck early to remove the home top order and with tight bowling all round, Skegness were limited to 160 from their 40 overs.
Moulton Harrox Seconds managed to beat the weather but failed to see off visitors Freiston, Leake & Leverton in Division One.
With bad weather looming, the teams agreed to a reduced 35 overs per side match, with Freiston batting first.
Uddyan Hansana struck early, clean bowling Zeeshan Saeed. All-rounder Thilina Dilshan then trapped Richard Paul in front as Moulton kept things tight.
However, Freiston began to rally with Usman Ahmed leading a powerful counter-attack. He passed his half-century, supported by Waseem Ilyas who added 42 before being removed by Cam Fox.
Hansana returned to remove the Freiston captain and a sharp piece of fielding from Dilshan produced a direct-hit run out to keep the pressure on.
Despite their efforts, Ahmed was unstoppable, finishing on a brutal 100 not out from just 61 balls to anchor Freiston’s 219/5.
Moulton’s chase got off to a rocky start, losing both Cleve Bayston and youngster Charlie Poulter.
Anish Suwarneraj and Danny Jackson steadied the ship, with Suwarneraj making a composed 23 before being bowled. Hansana’s quickfire 21 kept hopes alive, while Jackson compiled a solid 40 before falling.
The innings was brought to life by Dilshan, who peppered the boundary ropes en route to his maiden club half-century. He finished unbeaten on 60 but his team’s 169/6 proved not enough, despite the spirited performance.
A dominant display from the Sunday XI saw them cruise to victory over United Sports Seconds in Division Four East of the Rutland Sunday League with stand-out performances across the board.
Batting first, it was the Ollie Sneath Show. The Lincolnshire young gun looked in total control as he carved, nudged and powered his way to a superb maiden ton, scoring 103 from 117 balls, including 11 fours and a six.
Sneath was well supported by Flynn McMillan, who played with trademark aggression in a rapid 71 off just 53 balls, including nine fours and three sixes, as the pair put on 115 for the first wicket.
Sonal Martin added a steady 30, with Charlie Poulter and Jotham Suwarneraj chipping in down the order as Moulton posted a commanding total of 235/4.
In response, United struggled as Rocky Kadchha and Harry Lovell kept things tight with the new ball. Kadchha picked up two early wickets and McMillan backed up his batting with the ball, returning figures of 3-6 from his five overs.
Paul Bullock and Charlie Poulter each picked up key scalps and a sharp over from Liam Barwick wrapped things up as United were bowled out for 88 in less than 25 overs.
