Chris Dring smashed 122 as Spalding Town handed Moulton Harrox a crushing 104-run derby defeat on Saturday.
The Spalding skipper’s sensational knock was the highlight of the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division clash, which saw hosts Town rack up 283-3 before bowling Harrox out for 179 in reply.
It was Moulton captain Chris Beale who won the toss at a sunny Seas End Hall, but he opted to give Spalding first use of the pitch.
The Town openers made him pay for that decision, with Dring’s ton the individual highlight of their season so far.
Opening partner Jon Manton (46) kept him company before being bowled by Alin Carter (2-59), but the damage had already been done.
Simon Juckes eventually had Dring caught, but Jay White (26 not out) and William Steed (28 not out) pushed on and ensured they posted a big score from their 45 overs.
Moulton had a tall task in reply and ultimately fell some way short – but they gave it a good go. Openers Josh Newton (31) and Beale (18) scored steadily and Tom Wilson (37) also played nicely, but Town took regular wickets and ended their resistance in the 44th over.
It was a team performance from the Town bowlers, with Will Naylor (3-32), Harry DeCamps (3-38), Nilantha Atapattu (2-39), Josh Lawrence (1-30) and Manton (1-0) all among the wickets.
Town took 20 points from the game and stay fifth, while Harrox are tenth after claiming five points.
Above both of them are third-placed Long Sutton, who picked up maximum points thanks to a 115-run success over Woodhall Spa 2nd at Paradise Field.
Batting first, Sutton managed 243-8 as 128 runs coming from the final 15 overs. Adam Wright led the charge with 61, while Angus Bell bludgeoned 79 and Joe Whitaker added 22 at the death.
The hosts then bowled out Spa for 128 in reply, ending their two-game losing run and moving them 21 points shy of leaders Skegness.
Down in Division One, Spalding Town 2nd are still looking for a first win of the season after they suffered a 39-run beating at Ancaster.
The hosts batted first and amassed a solid 228-6, before limiting Spalding to 189-8 in reply.
That gave Town’s second string seven match points and remain bottom of the pile.
Also beaten in the second tier were Moulton Harrox 2nd, who suffered a 74-run reverse at home to Baston.
Andy Keen (64), David Greenfield (48) and Ben Hudson (35) scored well to help visitors Baston amass 257-8 at Broad Lane.
Curtis Todd (3-52) and Clive Bayston (2-25) were the pick of the home bowlers.
Moulton never really looked like chasing down their target in reply, but a brilliant 45 from number ten Lewis Doughty ensured that they reached a respectable 183 before the innings ended on the penultimate ball of the match.
Their eight points leave Moulton eighth in the table.
Saturday SLBL fixtures (1pm): Premier – Long Sutton 1st v Boston 2nd; Moulton Harrox 1st v Bourne 2nd; Woodhall Spa 2nd v Spalding 1st. Division One – Grantham 3rd v Moulton Harrox 2nd. Division Two – Billingborough 2nd v Long Sutton 2nd; Uffington v Spalding Town 3rd.
