A solid mid-innings half-century from Keyan Gave (55) lifted Spalding’s hopes of victory against Sleaford in the Lincolnshire Board Premier League.
Opener Barnaby Dring (26) and wicket-keeper Ethan Lawrence (22) also chipped in but they knew they faced a tough task to defend their 146 total.
However, they stunned the visitors as Nilantha Atapattu and Harsh Bhandari sent both openers packing without a run on the board.
Atapattu struck again to leave Sleaford wobbling on 35/3. Unfortunately, that was where the Spalding resistance ended as Daniel Smith (109no) and captain Tom Shorthouse (26no) knuckled down to cruise to a winning 150/3.
Long Sutton lost to Bourne in quick time. The hosts were bowled out for 80 inside 26 overs and the charge to victory lasted just 7.2 overs for the loss of a single wicket.
Despite losing both openers for ducks, Sutton recovered to 43/2, only to lose four wickets without adding to the score.
Josh Baker hit an unbeaten 26 to improve things to 68/6 only for the final four wickets to go for the addition of only 12 more runs.
Baker took an early wicket in Bourne’s reply but that was the only time they were troubled as Jonathan Cheer (39) and Sam Evison (34) saw the visitors to a comfortable victory.
Ancaster’s 174-run third-wicket stand proved to be the difference between the hosts and Long Sutton Seconds in Division One of the South Lincolnshire Border League.
Anthony Richardson (107) and Will Harris (81) combined to propel the home side to 314/5 after Sutton won the toss and asked them to bat.
Daniel Plant (36), Philip Barnes (29no) and Thilina Dilshan (28) put up some resistance in the reply but Sutton ended all out for 147.
Spalding Seconds’ bowlers put their side in with a great chance of victory at Heckington.
Thomas Decamps (4-31), Billy Gallagher (3-21) and Macey Andrews (2-18) led the visitors’ attack as Heckington were skittled for 104.
However, it proved to be a bowlers’ wicket as Spalding collapsed to just 62 all out.
After losing their first three wickets for seven runs, the visitors rallied to 60/4 thanks to Yuvraj Ranaut (25) and Billy Gallagher (17). It was all downhill from there though with the last five batsmen failing to score as they slumped to 60/9 before two extras took them to their final score.
Spalding’s youth policy is starting to pay off. Despite a 134-run Division Three defeat, junior Leighton Graham made his maiden senior half-century, with 50 of his team’s 171 total against Heckington Seconds. Opener Ollie Dring (45) was the only other batsmen to enjoy a lengthy stay at the crease.
Dring had also enjoyed success with the ball, taking 3-40 in the away side’s 305/6.
All three Moulton Harrox teams were left kicking their heels at the weekend.
The first and Sunday team’s had no fixture, while the Seconds’ scheduled match against Newborough Seconds in Division Two of the South Lincolnshire Border League was awarded to the hosts by default.
Even so, the club could still celebrate. The first team are sitting more comfortably in second place in the Premier Division table thanks to defeats for the teams in third and fourth places.
In addition, the club has secured a sponsorship deal for the 2025 season.
South Lincolnshire-based Unirose have agreed to back the club for the next campaign. It provides care-coordination and companionship for people in need of support.
