There was derby delight for Long Sutton on Saturday as they defeated rivals Moulton Harrox by 66 runs at Paradise Field.
Half-centuries in the middle order from Tim Norris (67) and Paul Edgeller (53) helped Sutton to 214-9 in the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division clash.
Harrox could only manage 148 in reply despite a super 78 from Josh Newton, with Sutton’s Jake Burton (4-21) and Josh Baker (3-22) starring with the ball.
That gave Sutton 20 points and their first win of the new season, while Harrox took just six points from their maiden defeat.
Hosts Sutton won the toss and opted to bat first against their South Holland neighbours, but lost opener Chris Booth for a duck early on.
Matt Rose (2-45) then trapped Dan Oldfield LBW for just seven, bringing Norris to the crease.
He played freely at one end, with opener Adam Wright (16 from 65 balls) dropping anchor at the other before eventually being dismissed by Thuva Murali (2-35).
Edgeller was next in and he and Norris set about building a solid score for their side.
Batting with a strike rate of 108.06, Norris hit nine fours and a six in his 67 (62 balls), while Edgeller (SR 96.36) launched two sixes and three fours in his 55-ball innings.
Murali eventually dismissed Norris, while Jack Barnett (4-53) began a late wicket spree with the dismissal of Edgeller.
Sutton added a few fireworks before the close, with Baker (9) and Adam Whitaker (16 not out) both striking at better than a run-a-ball.
In reply, Harrox lost bother openers cheaply as Baker bowled Jake Morton for a duck and Barry Stanway (1-9) rearranged Barnett’s (8) stumps.
Skipper Chris Beale (2) and Rose (5) also went cheaply, but number three Newton was on fine form.
His 69-ball 78 came at a rate of 113.04 and included 12 fours despite wickets tumbling around him.
Lewis Martin (1) and Henry Lavery (22) did their best to keep him company, but both fell victim to the spin on Sutton skipper Burton.
Burton also claimed the prized wicket of Newton, triggering something of a collapse that saw the last three men out all score ducks.
The other wicket-takers for victorious Sutton were Whitaker (1-29) and Oldfield (1-15).
Both South Holland sides are on the road this Saturday, with Sutton visiting Freiston and Moulton travelling to Woodhall Spa 2nd (both 1pm).
- Moulton Harrox 2nd picked up their first win of the South Lincs and Border League Division One campaign on Saturday as they beat Baston in a cracker.
Batting first at Harrox Field, Moulton racked up a handy tally of 196-9.
It looked nip and tuck in Baston’s reply, but they ultimately came up just 11 runs shy with a score of 184 all out.
In the same division, Spalding Town 2nd suffered a comprehensive 108-run defeat against Ancaster at Seas End Hall.
Anthony Richardson’s masterful 126 and a key 54 from number ten Daniel Bankley helped the visitors post 234, despite 3-31 from Michael Morris and 3-62 from Eddie Seymour.
Spalding could only muster 126-7 from their 45 overs in reply, with Morris (27) and Dan Mulley (25 not out) top scoring.
In Division Two, both Long Sutton 2nd and Spalding Town 3rd suffered defeats.
Sutton were narrowly beaten by two wickets at Castor 2nd, with Dan Plant’s 34 the best score in their 123 all out.
Aaron John took 3-23 in the home reply, but they made 127-8.
On Sunday, Spalding 3rd were bowled out for 89 at Freiston 2nd, despite Josh Lawrence’s 32 not out.
Their hosts then made 93-4, with Brandon Andrews taking 2-5.
