HEALTHY LEAD

From Ann Boulton

Billingborough now lead Division One of the South Lincolnshire & Border League by 36 points following victory in a close game against Spalding.
But below the leaders, just three points separate the next four teams with Grantham second - on equal points with Moulton Harrox but with one victory more - and Belton Park and Sleaford 2nd in hot pursuit.
Dave Newman added another 94 to his ever-growing runs total as Billingborough made 228 for eight but Spalding put in a valiant pursuit and were only 14 runs short of the target when their final wicket fell.
Newman has now passed the 400 run mark for the season as has Jack Barnett of Moulton Harrox who hit 72 as his side enjoyed a comfortable victory over Market Deeping 2nd while Grantham won a low scoring game against Woodhall Spa 2nd.
Belton Park had a much closer game, beating Sleaford 2nd by only 14 runs and
It was even tighter at bottom side Bourne where Matt Benson took seven for 23 to restrict the home side to 181 all out – a total Lindum Ramblers had just equalled when their final wicket fell.
Skegness march on at the top of Division Two, now 46 points ahead of second placed Billingborough 2nd who have a game in hand. Skegness won a low scoring match against Boston 3rd by 17 runs while Billingborough convincingly beat Thomas Cook. The closest game in this division saw Spalding 2nd beat Cavaliers by just six runs.
Spalding 3rd beat Timberland by two wickets to stay top of Division Three, with North Luffenham second and Moulton Harrox third despite both being rained off on Sunday. Baston’s win over Grantham 2nd, in which two Baston bowlers each took five wickets, leaves them in fourth place.

Division One
Grantham 140-8 (Steer-Jones 55), Woodhall Spa 2nd 114
Moulton Harrox 248-9 (Barnett 72, Smith 72), Market Deeping 2nd 103;
Billingborough 228-8 (Newman 94, Smith 56), Spalding 214;
Stamford 258-8 (Bore 107, Bennett 53no), Boston 2nd 236-9;
Belton Park 198-4 (Richardson 86), Sleaford 2nd 184 (Roberts 73);
Bourne 181 (Benson 7-23), Lindum Ramblers 181.

Division Two
Spalding 2nd 158 (Dale 56, Hayes 5-29), Cavaliers 152 (Taylor 57);
Skegness 2nd 125-8 (Jacobs 50), Boston 3rd 108 (Richardson 5-37);
Stamford 2nd 258-7 (Sewell 80, Birch 52no), Ropsley 157-9;
Heckington 137, Welby 104;
Billingborough 2nd 211-6 (Stanley 93), Thomas Cook 102 (Wells 5-16).

Division Three
Baston 180 (Bower 61), Grantham 2nd 74 (Russell 5-22, L Davies 5-48);
Timberland 157-7 (Tonge 50), Spalding 3rd 158-8 (Bright 75);
Pinchbeck 68-4 v Moulton Harrox – match abandoned
Burgh & District v North Luffenham – match abandoned