Spalding Town suffered a comprehensive ten-wicket derby defeat at Market Deeping in the Lincs ECB Premier League on Saturday.
After hosts Deeping won the toss and put Town into bat, on Ethan Lawrence (57) and number 11 Harry Birch (20 not out) impressed as the visitors were dismissed for 173 at Outgang Road.
Openers Josh Smith (96 not out) and Connor Gillett (63 not out) then eased Deeping to 177-0 from just 25.1 overs in reply, securing 20 points and leaving Spalding with just two points for their efforts.
The victory is Deeping’s first of the season at the seventh attempt and moves them one point behind ninth-placed Town in the table.
It was a tough start for Spalding, who lost Jon Manton (3) early on after he edged former team-mate Will Naylor (1-15) behind.
Mitch Freeman, who hit a century the week before, was also caught behind off the bowling of the dangerous Hayatullah Niazi (3-18) for 15.
The middle order also struggled, with Ollie Dring (5), Matt Gill (4), skipper Chris Dring (0) and young Barnaby Dring (6) all falling cheaply.
Thankfully for Town, Lawrence was in fine form and he set about building them a target they could look to defend.
Lawrence’s fine 57 came to an end when Josh Smith (3-14) rearranged his stumps, but the tail did wag a little.
Although Brandon Andrews (3) was out cheaply, Michael Morris made seven before being removed by ex-Spalding youngster Jimmy Hook (1-54) in the 49th over.
That left youngster Birch stranded on 20 at the other end after adding a few very welcome runs.
Spalding’s score of 173 was certainly defendable if they could take early wickets, but they found their hosts in a clinical mood.
Indeed, the opening duo raced to their target with minimal fuss en-route to securing maximum points.
Smith ran out of time to complete his century as he finished just four runs shy of three figures, while Gillett’s strong half-century ensured that Deeping were home with 24.9 overs to spare.
Having produced their best performance of the season the week before, the severity of this defeat brings Town – who were severely depleted – back down to earth a little.
They will look to get back to winning ways this weekend when they welcome Nettleham to Seas End Hall on Saturday (11.30am).
Nettleham are one of just three teams below Spalding in the standings and have only won once of their seven games so far this season.
They suffered a six-wicket reverse against defending champions Bourne last weekend and are just six points behind Town.
