Spalding Town’s Under-15 side suffered a bruising home defeat to Uppingham on Friday (May 15).
Batting first, Butcher (16) and Harrington (17) made a robust start with Harrington hitting boundaries from three successive deliveries.
The partnership ended prematurely with Harrington run out after being called for an unwise second run.
Senior (1) was bowled playing back to Reece, but in-form skipper Lawrence (25), following his career best knock of 49 at the weekend, helped take the score to 55-2 at the halfway stage of the innings.
Things headed downhill from there. Butcher was caught, Lawrence was bowled just short of the retirement score, and with the rest of the order failing to reach double figures Town were bowled out for an under par 97, three balls short of the allotted 20 overs. Berridge (3-19) and Jones (2-8) were the pick of the bowlers.
Uppingham began strongly posting 39 within the first six overs as Jones (32 retired) stroked five boundaries and a maximum.
Left-arm spinner Senior (2-21) eventually made a double strike for Spalding, bowling Wild for a single and then opener Hubbard (10) was stumped thanks to some smart work behind the timbers by keeper Butcher to leave the game nicely poised with the visitors on 53/2 in the ninth over.
That, however, was the last success for Town as Roberts (29 not out) and Cross (21 not out) compiled an unbroken stand of 47 to complete the victory.
The Under-15s have home matches on the next two Friday nights.
Four under-15s featured in Spalding 3rd’s defeat at home to Burgh and District on May 9.
Town were soon in trouble losing both openers LBW, but a spirited partnership between 15-year-olds Josh Lawrence (49) and cousin Harry DeCamps (17) helped to turn things around, but Spalding were all out for 116.
Town’s reply began well with Stefan Gostic (15) impressing with the new ball and claiming the wicket of Underwood for just 4. Skipper Gilbert also took a wicket but 30s by Hill and Hulme saw Burgh home by seven wickets.
