A sensational unbeaten century from Matthew Rose wasn’t quite enough for Moulton Harrox on Saturday as they suffered a 25-run defeat against Newborough at Broad Lane.
The visitors won the toss and batted first in the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division clash, notching up a strong score of 250-8 from their 45 overs.
That proved to be just about enough as, despite Rose’s heroic 101 not out from 100 balls, Moulton closed on 225-9 from their allotted overs.
Newborough’s innings was a solid team effort, with a host of players chipping in with strong scores.
Opener George Woods managed 38 from 46 balls, hitting five fours, with wicket-keeper Greg Rowland adding 17.
But it was in the middle order that they really fired, as Andrew Rowland (55) and Josh Groener (41 from 25) were the big scorers – with the latter going at a strike rate of 164.
Even the tail wagged a little thanks to the efforts of Tom Olley, who managed 23 from just 22 balls.
For Moulton, Travis Harrison (3-53), Alin Carter (2-62), Jack Barnett (2-50) and Rose (1-48) all got amongst the wickets on what was a tough time in the field.
In reply, Moulton made a really good fist of chasing down their target.
Skipper Chris Beale (11) was out early, but Jack Barnett (27) and Josh Newton (18) took the score to 76-1 before Harrox lost three wickets in rapid time and were left reeling on 77-4. Barnett was run out by Chester Hercock, before Olley (3-44) – who also got Beale – dismissed both Newton and Henry Lavery (1).
That brought Rose to the crease and he set about chasing Newborough’s score down with an inspired innings.
He cracked 16 fours and two sixes in a stellar century as wickets tumbled around him.
Carter (7), Mohammad Alam (0), Lewis Martin (4), Harrison (13) and Thuva Murali (4) all tried to keep him company, but Rose ultimately ran out of time to complete what would have been an incredible run chase.
Still, Harrox claimed nine points from the match despite their defeat and are now just ten points behind South Holland rivals Long Sutton, who were without a game.
Saturday sees Moulton visit Sleaford 2nd and Sutton travel to leaders Grantham 2nd (both 1pm).
- Moulton Harrox 2nd face an uphill task to win the South Lincs and Border League Division One title after losing to their nearest rivals on Saturday.
Second-placed Harrox were handed a six-wicket reverse by leaders Newborough 2nd, who are now 38 points clear of them in the table.
Hosts Newborough won the toss and decided to field, with Moulton slumping to 120 all out in 36.2 overs.
That target was chased down in 23.1 overs, with Newborough making 122-4 in reply to take maximum points from the top-of-the-table clash.
For Harrox, Danny Jackson (21), Karl Hibbert (20) and Harry Lovell (18) top scored at St Martin’s Road.
Both Christian Worley (3-40) and Nigel Griffin (3-14) shone with the ball for the hosts, while Alastair Greenwood (2-10) also claimed a double.
The Newborough innings was dominated by openers Tim Dock (43) and Lewis Hearn (36), who took the sting out of the run chase.
Curtis Todd (1-39) and Paul Bullock (1-19) took a wicket apiece in vain for Harrox.
Next up for Moulton is a home game against struggling Heckington 2nd on Saturday (1pm).
