Spalding earned local bragging rights with a dominant victory over Long Sutton that kept them at the top of the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division.
Five wickets from Roy Tilley and unbeaten half centuries from Joe Manton and Josh Newton ensured the home side romped to a comfortable nine wicket win to remain in pole position for an immediate return to the Lincolnshire Premier Division.
Sutton had enjoyed a solid start to Saturday’s match at the memorial ground with opening pair Jamie Taylor (18) and Rajan Sangha (39) starting well after skipper Phil Barnes had elected to bat first on winning the toss for his side.
Brandon Andrews (1-44) was first to strike for Spalding bowling Taylor before Julian Wilson ousted Chris Booth in the same manner for a duck.
Wilson bowled an exceptionally tight line as his 10 overs went for just 14 runs.
He was not alone as Spalding turned the screw on Sutton, Jack Barrett’s nine overs also only went for 20 runs and he ended Sangha’s innings caught by Josh Lawrence.
At the other end, Tilley profited as the visitors looked to up the scoring rate.
He dominated the Sutton middle order taking 5-36 in 11 overs and along with all the bowlers, benefited from an excellent fielding performance.
Jonathan Miles (1-26 from nine) picked up the wicket of Sutton’s third highest scored, number eight Phil Barnes as the batting side continued to lose wickets regularly.
It was left to numbers ten and 11 William Naylor (6 not out) and Calvin Bird (2 not out) saw their side up to 146-9 as the innings came to a close.
The chase proved to be fairly comfortable one for Spalding despite the early loss of opener Ben Smith (8).
Fresh from his five wickets the previous week, Will Naylor has Smith caught to give Long Sutton hope.
That soon drained away however as Jon Manton and Spalding captain Josh Newton took the game away from them.
Manton played well for his 52 not out while Newton played the more attacking role. His 70 not out helped lead his side home to the nine wicket win in just over 30 overs.
The win kept Spalding at the top of the table with nearest challengers Sleaford 2nd winning by six wickets.
Despite their defeat, the two teams below Long Sutton, Stamford Town and Welby Cavaliers, both lost. Sutton remain 43 points above the drop zone.
This weekend Spalding host Boston 2nd while Long Sutton are on the road again, this time at Grantham.
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