Red-hot Spalding Town produced another inspired performance on Saturday as they moved 14 points clear at the top of South Lincs and Border League Premier Division with an eight-wicket win over Boston 2nd.
Town limited fellow high-fliers Boston to 158-7 at Spalding Grammar School, despite a resolute 52 from number three Ben Troops.
That tally proved nowhere near enough to stop sizzling Spalding, with the in-form Josh Newton once again inspiring a successful run chase. His unbeaten 83 helped Town cruise to 160-2 in just 29 overs to clinch 18 match points.
Bowling first, Spalding made the perfect start when they ran out opener Matt Hood for a duck to leave Boston on 0-1.
Chris Morley (21) and Troops moved the visitors on to 55-2, but both fell as Roy Tilley (1-32) got rid of Morley and Troops became the second man run out.
Wickets then began to fall at regular intervals, with Dan Milgate (2-35) striking twice to get rid of Paul Roberts (18) and Michael Troops (14) and Jack Barratt (2-23) dismissing Damian Lawson (9) and skipper Luke Gilding (14).
Boston did bat out their overs, though, as Charlie Roberts and Paul Tetther put on a stubborn 14 partnership for the eighth wicket.
Even without Warren Nel, Town looked assured in their reply.
Michael Troops (1-41) dismissed Ben Smith (17) and Lawson (1-25) had Hafiz Majeed caught behind, but Newton and Dring (26no) put on an unbeaten 75 for the third wicket.
Newton’s 83 not out was his fourth half-century of the season so far and takes his tally for the season to 343 runs – putting him top of the league’s batting charts.
Town host Billingborough on Saturday (1.30pm).
