Long Sutton bounced back from last week’s derby defeat against Spalding Town to pull off an unlikely victory away at title-chasing Billingborough in South Lincs and Border League Premier Division.
Having been put into bat by their hosts, the in-form Dan Oldfield continued his good run with a well-made 24, but wickets continued to fall at the other end with Matt Cox the pick of the bowlers, taking 5-28 from his 12 overs.
Barry Stanway offered some resistance with a quick-fire 21 – including a huge 6 – but Sutton were quickly skittled out for a very much under par 93.
Billingborough seemingly had the 20 points in the bag at tea, or at least that’s what they thought. Sutton’s bowlers, on the other hand, had other ideas.
Billingborough raced to 37 without loss and the game looked all but over, until spin duo Jake Burton (5-13) and Rob Simpson (3-25) dismissed both openers in quick succession. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals thanks to some tight bowling and top fielding, including a fantastic catch from Stefan Fox.
All-rounder Aaron Pullum (12) offered some resistance with some agricultural hitting, but that didn’t last long and Billingborough were under intense pressure.
With Simpson and Burton both bowled out – and with two wickets still needed – the game was in the balance.
Oldfield (1-15) soon removed the defiant Scott Tite, leaving it to vice captain Jimmy Wright to take the winning wicket with an incredible slower ball to dismiss Boro’ for 73 and spark wild celebrations out in the middle.
Sutton captain Phil Barnes said: “Once we got our first wicket i just told the lads to concentrate on their cricket and see where it takes us.
“Jake and ‘Simo’ bowled superb with some good fielding to back them up, while it was nice for Dan Oldfield and Jimmy Wright to come on at the end and finish things off.
“Our team spirit saw us through again.”
Sutton host Woodhall Spa 2nd at Paradise Field on Saturday (1.30pm).
