Jubilant captain Phil Barnes feels Long Sutton are now back where they belong after clinching the South Lincs and Border League Division One title on Saturday.
Barnes led from the front as he top scored with 74 in Sutton’s solid score of 227-5 against South Holland rivals Moulton Harrox at Paradise Field, before watching on as Steve Milnes (4-20), Rob Simpson (3-37) and Dan Oldfield (3-27) bowled Harrox out for 176.
The 20-point haul gives Sutton an unassailable lead of 44 points with two games left, meaning they can now look forward to Premier Division cricket again next season.
Barnes said: “It’s a fantastic achievement. I feel the club is now back where it belongs with the facilities we have.
“I’m proud of all the players for sticking together and not running off to other clubs.
“The title is not just for the players, but the hard-working committee behind the scenes – Chris Booth and James and Lisa Baker.
“Special mention also to our groundsman Phil Coote, who has prepared some great pitches all season.
“It’s also also nice to have done this with plenty of youth in the side.”
Having been put into bat, Sutton’s top three all fired to leave Moulton up against it.
As well as Barnes’ 74, Andrew Wright chipped on with 44 and Dan Oldfield made an unbeaten 64.
Alin Carter (2-36), who claimed the wickets of Wright and Barry Stanway (4), was the pick of the Harrox attack.
Chasing 228, a win wasn’t out of the question for a Moulton team that is capable of scoring big runs, but they fell 51 runs shy.
Skipper Joe Broomfield impressed with 56 and Andy Goodley chipped in with 34, but it wasn’t enough.
- It looks like Spalding Town 2nd may be swapping places with Long Sutton after slipping to the brink of relegation from the Premier Division.
They were walloped by 230 runs against rampant Woodhall Spa 2nd on Saturday, with Matthew Sargeant scoring an incredible 202 in their mammoth 370-8.
Town were all out for 140 in reply, with Jon Manton’s 48 their top score.
With a maximum of 60 points available from their last three games, Spalding’s second string are 43 points from safety.
Spalding Town 3rd were also soundly beaten by Graves Park in Division Three. Graves Park smacked 365-3 before bowling Town out for 106 to clinch a 259-run success.
