Long Sutton suffered a disappointing defeat against leaders Boston in South Lincs and Border League Premier Division on Saturday.
Boston won the toss and inserted Sutton on what looked a decent wicket at Paradise Field.
Runs, however, were hard to come by and a combination of good bowling and not so good batting meant that Sutton’s innings never really got going.
Skipper Phil Barnes offered some resistance with a steady 26, but the rest of the middle order failed to contribute – and only a quick onslaught of three fours and a six from big-hitting Barry Stanway (18) helped Sutton to 108-9 from 45 overs.
New Zealand ace Benjamin Vella was the pick of the Boston bowlers, taking 5-25.
Sutton started well with the ball and Stanway (2-33) removed both opening batsmen to give them a glimmer of hope. But Kieran Evans (42 no) was ably assisted by Kiwi pair Ryan Croom (21) and Vella (25 no) as Boston eased to victory in 19.5 overs.
Captain Phil Barnes said: “We weren’t at our best today and Boston punished us.
“But the lads never once put their heads down and fought right to the end.
“Next week we travel to Stamford and I am confident we can bounce back with a win.”
- A century from Adam Binns ensured that Moulton Harrox suffered a nine-wicket defeat against Bourne 2nd in SLBL Premier Division.
Tom Wilson (50) top scored as rock-bottom Harrox managed 164-9 batting first, with Joe Broomfield (38) and Harry Wilkinson-Roberts (27) also scoring well.
The target was never a problem for Bourne, though, with Binns scoring 17 fours and three sixes in his ton. They closed on 170-1 in the 27th over.
