Rob Ambrose is confident that Spalding Town can finish in the top five of the Lincs ECB Premier League – despite seeing his side walloped at champions Sleaford last Saturday.
Town were destroyed by a trademark 123 not out from former New Zealand test player Tim McIntosh, as their unbeaten start to the season was shattered by a ten-wicket defeat.
Tim Norris (28), Josh Newton (27) and Ambrose (25) had earlier made the best contributions as Spalding were dismissed for 177 batting first, having been put in on a wet wicket.
With the sun beating down on the track, batting was much easier in Sleaford’s reply – and boy did they punish Town. Ably supported by captain Louis Kimber (54no), McIntosh hit 17 fours and three sixes in his 98-ball knock to help the hosts clinch a whopping win.
Ambrose admits that watching the Kiwi play was a joy to behold and isn’t too downbeat by the defeat.
He said: “It’s obviously disappointing to lose so heavily.
“I’m not looking to make excuses, but the toss was a vital one for us.
“We lost it and had to bat on a wet wicket – and it was tough if I’m honest. Nobody really got going and 177 was never really going to be enough against them.
“McIntosh is unbelievable, though. He got to 80 within a blink of an eye and it was a simple 100 for him really.
“He’s not a flashy player and he doesn’t hit boundaries for the heck of it.
“Once they got towards 130-ish you could afford to sit back and enjoy it.”
Second-placed Woodhall Spa, Ambrose’s tip for the title, are next up for Spalding this Saturday (noon).
The skipper is expecting a tough test, but has backed his sixth-placed side to bounce back.
He said: “I think we can aim to be in the top five or six this season, I really do. We must not get disappointed, we’d have taken this start before a ball was bowled.
“As a club we’re showing great progress and we can all be proud of that.
“Woodhall Spa will be tough. The strength in depth they have is impressive and I fancy them for the title.
“We have winnable games after playing them, so anything we can get will be a big bonus for us.”
Spalding, meanwhile, will also face Woodhall Spa in the first semi-final of the Winkworth Cup’s finals weekend at Sleaford CC on Bank Holiday Monday (10.30am).
The winners will face either Bourne or Bracebridge Heath in the final of the Twenty20 competition – with the champions going forward to the ECB National Club T20 area finals.
Ambrose added: “Just being there is massive for us.”
