Buoyant Spalding Town are hoping to produce a repeat of last season’s best performance as they prepare to take on Lincs ECB Premier League champions Bourne on Saturday.
Town were one of only two sides to beat brilliant Bourne last year, inflicting an impressive 100-run defeat on them at the Abbey Lawn.
They do, however, go into Saturday’s Spalding Grammar School clash (noon) as the league’s basement side – some 48 points behind their fourth-placed visitors.
Bourne, skippered by the impressive Peter Morgan, boast perhaps the best batting line-up in the league.
In Conrad Louth they have the division’s leading run scorer (618), while nobody has taken more wickets than Tom Dixon (30).
They did, however, suffer a five-wicket derby defeat against fierce rivals Market Deeping last time out.
Spalding skipper Rob Ambrose knows that his charges are in for a tough afternoon.
But he saw his side secure a hard-fought victory at Skegness last weekend – and has told his side that taking early wickets will be the key.
Ambrose said: “We’ve made a great start to June – hopefully a few more wins will see us safely in mid-table by the end of the month.
“Obviously we now have a very tough match against Bourne.
“I’m not reading too much into their defeat against Deeping last weekend, there is a big rivalry there and these things happen.
“Bourne are a very dangerous side that can blow you away if you’re not careful.
“But if you can get one or two of them out early, there’s always a chance.
“There’s no doubting that this is a very difficult game for any side in the league.
“But we’ve done reasonably well against Bourne over the past few years and we’ll look to that for inspiration.
“Those moments are among the best highs we’ve experienced at this level.”
Town’s chances on Saturday have been boosted by the return of all-rounder Henry Charlton, who made 73 and took a wicket in that memorable win over Bourne last year.
He’s been a big miss this season, with Ambrose keen to see him opening the bowling with Charlie Kearns.
Typically, Kearns is now out for three weeks himself. But Ambrose is still delighted to have one of his top talents back at his disposal.
“It’s a real boost to have Henry back in the side,” added the skipper. “We’ve really missed him this season.
“He’s a great new ball bowler, which is something we’ve really needed alongside Charlie Kearns this season.
“It’s just typical that we’ve now got Charlie missing for three weeks. When we get those two together we’ll be a much stronger unit.
“Henry isn’t just a good bowler, he also adds a lot to the batting line-up and is full of energy in the field.
“He did well against Bourne when we beat them last year, so it’s great timing to have him back.
“I’m still not overly worried by our league position. We need to wait until the halfway stage of the season to see how we’re looking then.
“The way the table is looking, we’re still very much within striking distance of a lot of teams.
“I’m a strong believer that the table doesn’t lie – we’ll end up where we deserve to be come the end of the season.”
