Spin twins inspire first Long Sutton win under skipper Barnes

A stunning bowling performance inspired Long Sutton to their first South Lincs and Border League Premier Division win of the season on Saturday.

Hosts Sutton were asked to bat first by Woodhall Spa 2nd on what was a pretty stick Paradise Field track.

They found it tough going, but openers Jimmy Wright (22) and Chris Booth (36) got the team off to a steady start.

However, the persistence of opening bowler Sam Cherry (3-28) was soon rewarded and having removed Wright, he quickly made inroads in to the middle order.

Steve Skoulding (12) was the only other batsman to make double figures as Sutton soon slumped to 128 all out.

Sutton’s bowlers knew it would be a tough ask against a strong Woodhall batting line up, but when Jimmy Wright struck in the second over and Barry Stanway removed the dangerous Rob Bee (30), they knew they had a chance.

Woodhall recovered well, though, and at the half-way stage were well in control at 80-3. That saw the introduction of ‘spin twins’ Jake Burton and Rob Simpson – and they turned the game.

Simpson, bowling with a broken thumb suffered from an earlier dropped catch, was quickly into his rhythm, but it was Burton that did the real damage.

He bowled six maidens in a row as he put the opposition in a spin and ended with superb figures of 5-12 from ten overs.

Lewis Holmes (13) offered some late resistance but played one shot to many as he was stumped by Adam Wright off the bowling of Simpson to claim Sutton’s first victory under captain Phil Barnes.

Sutton’s Burton said: “Everything went right for me today. I hit some good areas and the pitch offered some turn which is always helpful. All of the lads are over the moon to get the win and we can really kick on now.”