In-form Spalding Town extended their lead at the top of the South Lincs and Border League’s Premier Division with an eight-wicket win over fierce rivals Billingborough on Saturday.
With visitors Billingborough winning the toss at Spalding Grammar School and electing to bat, Town were left pretty happy when they dismissed their visitors for just 145 in 35.1 overs.
Jack Barratt (4-40) was the pick of the bowlers, but Jimmy Hook (2-36), Hafiz Majeed (2-30) and ex-Boro ace Roy Tilley (2-32) all chipped in too.
Spalding’s stellar openers Warren Nel (34) and Josh Newton (35) didn’t quite fire like they have been in recent weeks, but Majeed (46 not out) and Ben Smith (17 not out) eased the hosts to 146-2 in their reply.
That ensured a maximum 20-point haul for Rob Ambrose’s side, who are now 17 points clear at the top.
Despite the scale of Town’s victory having a rather routine look, captain Ambrose – who openly admits that there’s bad blood between the two sides – paid tribute to Billingborough’s bowling performance.
He said: “It’s always entertaining against Billingborough.
“There’s just no avoiding it – they don’t really like us. I suppose we don’t really like them either, but the game was played in the right spirit and we had a drink afterwards.
“To be honest, the result doesn’t really reflect the match. You’d look at it and think we cruised home.
“That’s far from the case, I felt they bowled very, very well. If it wasn’t for some great batting by Warren, Josh, Majid and Ben it would have been a different story.
“Saying that, I’m very happy with the lads. We’re batting, bowling and fielding very well at the moment.
“That’s allowed us to tick along nicely and we’ve got ourselves into a great run of form.
“It’s important that we keep that going.”
Town are at home again this Saturday, with Sleaford 2nd the visitors.
