Spalding Town 3rd earned a thrilling nine-run victory over Grantham 4th in their South Lincs and Border League Division Two opener on Saturday.
Invited to bat first by their hosts, Town made a cautious start but reached 64-1 with Chris Green batting fluently.
Green was then run out in farcical circumstances – and in the same over further calamity struck with opener Ian Wilson also run out. Town’s troubles deepened when Harry DeCamps was bowled for a duck and skipper Richard Gilbert (5) followed to leave them on 80-5.
However, Ashley Bright (26 not out) and Carl Andrews (32) on his Spalding debut dug their team out of a big hole with a priceless partnership of 57 as they finished on a competitive 145-7.
After a half hour delay due to a tea time shower, Grantham started their reply like a train with David Langsford (57) firing.
Things looked bleak for the visitors until 13-year-old-keeper Ethan Lawrence, on his senior debut, took a smart catch off Bright to open up an end.
Bright (3-33) and Green (4-33) then got into their groove as Grantham closed on 136-9, with Gilbert (2-23) taking the key wicket of Langford.
Results
Premier Division: Grantham 2nd 113 (Elleray 5-30), Boston 114-2; Bourne 2nd 228-4 (Howard 54, Dunn 72no), Sleaford 2nd 197-8; Stamford 125, Moulton Harrox 126-9 (Holland 5-43); Long Sutton 148, Billingborough 150-8; Lindum Ramblers 198-7 (Taylor 64), Spalding 199-7 (Dring 50, Noble 68no); Woodhall Spa 212-7 dec (King 51no), Belton Park 93-3 – abandoned.
Division One: Billingborough 2nd 120 (Jinah 5-36), Long Sutton 2nd 121-1; Boston 2nd 155 (Lawson 65, Memon 5-26), Lindum 3rd 79; Cavaliers 185 (Matta 83, Abbott 5-50), Grantham 3rd 143-8 (Hall 64); Skegness 2nd 140 (J Andrews 6-44), Market Deeping 2nd 142-2 (McDougall 73no); Welby 121, Woodlands 79; Freiston 172 (Ellis 5-45), Heckington 85.
Division Two: Pinchbeck 250-6 (Crook 95, Smith 91), Timberland 207-9 (Lowth 64); Spalding 3rd 145-7, Grantham 4th 136-9; Claypole 148, Boston 3rd 90 (Endley 5-16); Baston v Belton Park 2nd – Belton Park conceded.
Fixtures (Saturday, 1.30pm, selected)
Premier Division: Belton Park v Spalding 2nd; Sleaford 2nd v Long Sutton.
Division One: Long Sutton 2nd v Deeping 2nd.
Division Two: Baston v Pinchbeck; Spalding 3rd v Claypole.
