Spalding Town 2nd (185) beat Long Sutton 2nd (147-8) by 38 runs
Spalding Town 2nd remain on course for the South Lincs and Border League Division One title after seeing off South Holland neighbours Long Sutton 2nd in a tight derby affair.
Town were all out for 185 batting first at the Memorial Field on Saturday, but restricted their rivals to just 147-8 in reply to stay top by a point.
On a sunny day after a night of heavy rain, Spalding were put into bat by Sutton on what was a damp track.
Openers Chris Klompas (22) and Mike Kearns Snr (27) set about scoring runs at a steady pace, before Danny Sisson (5-44) bowled the former with a slower delivery.
Mick East (6) then fell a few overs later to a smart catch from Sisson off the bowling of Rob SImpson (3-40), before the same man had Kearns caught behind to leave Town at 70-3.
That brought Chris Dring and Keith De Keyser to the crease – and they both set about increasing the tempo and run rate. De Keyser was particularly aggressive en route to his 30, before being bowled by Simpson with the score on 122.
Mike Kearns Jnr (4) and James Hook (4) both fell shortly afterwards – and they were eventually followed by the impressive Dring for 42 thanks to some smart bowling from Sisson.
However, a powerful 27 from Jamie Juckes took Town to a very defendable 185 all out in the 45th over, with Sisson claiming a well deserved five-fer with the wicket of Jimmy Clarke (0).
Spalding’s opening bowlers started superbly in their reply, with Sutton reduced to 10-2 after Juckes got rid of both Andrew Wright (4) and young Jack Keeble (2).
However, Sisson and Aaron John then put on an impressive partnership to give the visitors hope.
Sisson thundered his way to 31 in an innings that included six fours before being caught by Hook off the bowling of Spalding skipper Steve Norris (2-33).
Jamie Taylor – unluckily dismissed LBW for two – and Ben Shore (7) followed him back to the hutch, as Town began to take a stranglehold on the game.
Spinning duo Kearns Jnr (2-33) and Clarke (1-31) both bowled fine spells with the clouds rolling in, with John eventually out for 52.
Simpson (24 not out) also chipped in well, but Sutton eventually closed some 38 runs shy of their target.
Satisfied Spalding skipper Norris said: “We were a few players short, but the lads we brought in did a fantastic job to ensure we got our season back on track after the last game against Grantham.
“I’m pleased with the way everyone bowled, batted and fielded in what was a great team performance.
“We’ve got to keep it going this week at Baston.”
That Town trip to The Shrine is at 1.30pm on Saturday, while Sutton play host to Friskney (also 1.30pm).
