It’s now three South Lincs and Border League Division One wins on the spin for Spalding 2nd after they picked up 20 points a Timberland on Saturday.
Ansar Hussain’s unbeaten 60 helped Town 2nd (83-2) clinch an eight-wicket victory after bowling their hosts out for 80 – a result that sees them go to the top of the early table.
Batting first, Timberland looked to have overcome the opening barrage from Spalding’s bowlers as they moved to 45-3.
However, an outstanding catch from Simon Juckes – followed by a super ball from Matt Sharpe (4-37) to dismiss Ben Hargrave – swung the game back in Spalding’s favour.
When Jamie Juckes (2-8) came on to bowl and got a wicket with his first ball for the second week running, Timberland appeared shocked to find themselves at 60-8.
A fine deft spell from Jules Wilson (2-9) and solid bowling from Cameron Roy (2-23) kept the hosts on the back foot and they were eventually all out for 80.
Despite looking solid and composed in reply, Jon Manton (1) was soon snapped up early on – then Lewis Martin was out for a duck to reduce Town to 1-2 off six overs.
Hussain then came to the crease and was dropped third ball while on 0. This proved to be a drop that Timberland would regret, as the all-rounder hit 14 runs off the over before tea.
Josh Lawrence (15 not out) dug in and slowly got on top of the Timberland bowling, allowing man-of-the-match Hussain to produce an onslaught of stroke play and big hitting to take the game away from the home team.
Acting skipper Rob Noble said: “I wasn’t expecting the captaincy today, but my job was made far easier by the way we bowled and fielded.
“Batting-wise, I thought that Timberland bowled well to take two early wickets, but Ansar was superb and Josh Lawrence did a great job batting throughout the innings.
“We have won three out of three now and things are looking good – but there are some tough tasks ahead.”
Spalding 2nd travel to Billingborough 2nd this Saturday (1.30pm).
- Spalding Town 3rd slipped to a seven-wicket loss against Graves Park in South Lincs and Border League Division Two.
Town were put into bat at the Memorial Field and were soon knocked over for just 85 in 33.4 overs.
Eddie Seymour top scored with 39 for the hosts, but Ryan Lawson (4-27) and Jack Ashton (3-14) ripped through the rest of the order.
Brandon Andrews (2-18) and Ameila Gardner (1-17) both took wickets to reduce Heckington to 38-3 in reply, but Ashton’s unbeaten 44 eased them home in the 21st over.
