THOMAS CRACKS 148no

By Ann Boulton

Billingborough kept up their charge for the South Lincolnshire & Border League Division One title with an eight wicket win over Lindum Ramblers while Stamford 2nd remain second following a similar victory over Sleaford 2nd.
Chris Bore hit an unbeaten 108 for Stamford who restricted Sleaford to 163 for nine and opened up a gap over the chasing group after third placed Belton Park went down to Woodhall Spa 2nd.
Steve Scott took five catches in the field for Billingborough who bowled Lindum out for 121. And Bourne 2nd won the battle of the bottom two to move within eight points of opponents Market Deeping 2nd.
Leaders Skegness suffered their second defeat in Division Two but rivals Billingborough 2nd failed to capitalise, going down to Heckington by 10 runs.
A second wicket partnership of 95 between Dave Robinson (83) and Alex Glover (53) set up Cavalier’s victory over the seasiders but the Peterborough side were made to work hard for their win as Skegness came within 14 runs of their opponents’ score of 198 for seven before the final wicket fell. Again it was Robinson who turned the game, taking three lower order wickets in five overs.
Scott Sharp hit a maiden half century in Heckington’s total of 150 and Billingborough were then bowled out for 140 while Kev Manning’s 60 off 46 balls saw Boston 3rd to victory over Sleaford Sunday.
But the closest game in this division was at Ropsley where Stamford reached 176 for three only to see their opponents come within two runs of this score for the loss of five wickets.
Division Three also saw a close game at Pinchbeck where Steve Robinson took five wickets to restrict Claypole to 132 all out in their pursuit of their hosts’ 144 for seven.
North Luffenham drew away at the top when Baston beat challengers Moulton Harrox Sunday by five wickets. Steve Richardson took six for 19 for Baston as Moulton were bowled out for 111.
Blankney are now one of the best placed to challenge the leaders after David Thomas and Lee Williams shared a third wicket partnership of 224 to take their side to 280 for three. Thomas hit the day’s highest total of 148 not out and Williams made 95 before Spalding 3rd were bowled out for 136.
Division One
Grantham 133-6 (Wing 55no), Moulton Harrox 137-2 (Jex 66);
Belton Park 117 (Hunt 5-45), Woodhall Spa 2nd 118-4 (Bee 56);
Lindum Ramblers 121 (Taylor 57), Billingborough 123-2;
Bourne 2nd 209-7 (Knowles 56), Market Deeping 2nd 128;
Spalding 217-9 (Hendry 60), Boston 2nd 156-8;
Sleaford 2nd 163-9, Stamford 164-2 (Bore 108no)
Division Two
Heckington 150 (Sharp 68), Billingborough 2nd 140;
Thomas Cook 85 (Orrey 5-14), Welby 86-2;
Boston 3rd 111 (Lamming 8-16), Spalding 2nd 116-3;
Cavaliers 198-7 (Robinson 83, Glover 53), Skegness 184 (Hewitt 50);
Stamford 176-3 (Peck 53), Ropsley 174-5;
Sleaford Sunday 147 (Cheer 5-29), Boston 3rd 149-4 (Manning 60);
Division Three
Pinchbeck 144-7 (Smith 59), Claypole 132 (North 54, Robinson 5 wkts);
Blankney 280-3 (Thomas 148no, Williams 95), Spalding 3rd 136;
Burgh & District 85, North Luffenham 88-1 (Brew 65no);
Moulton Harrox Sunday 111 (Barnett 61, Richardson 6-19), Baston 112-5;