FIVE CENTURIES SCORED AS BATSMEN MAKE HAY AS THE SUN SHINES

SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE & BORDER LEAGUE

Sept 8

Five centuries were scored in the South Lincolnshire & Border League as batsmen made runs in the sunshine.

At the top of the Division One table Ansar Hussain made 106 for Spalding to leave his team needing just two points from their final game to clinch the league title.  And at the bottom, Tom Bentley was 100 not out for Bourne, giving his team hope of avoiding relegation.

Spalding and challengers Billingborough both picked up 20 points, Spalding adding to the woes of bottom team Market Deeping while Billingborough beat Sleaford by 10 wickets, Geordie Scott claiming five victims.  Scott now has 865 runs and 39 wickets to his name.

Bourne’s win came against third placed Stamford Town who ended their innings 36 runs adrift of their opponents.   Scott Forbes and Matt Benson each took five wickets as fourth placed Lindum Ramblers beat Belton Park, who stay fifth.

Darren Bradbury’s unbeaten 102 ensured that Welby remain undefeated as they continue to dominate Division Two.  Welby’s victory knocked opponents Spalding 2^nd’s challenge for second place, a position now held by Stamford Town 2^nd who beat Boston 2^nd.

Only 11 points separate the bottom three – Cavaliers, Baston and Thomas Cook, all of whom lost, Baston going down to Moulton Harrox for whom Darren Hibbert bowled 12 overs with nine maidens and took three wickets for just four runs.

The other two centuries came in one Division Three match as Friskney retained their lead at the top following a high scoring game against Burgh & District.  Mitch Griffiths made an unbeaten 126 for Friskney who finished on 305 for two but Richard Underwood replied with 100 as Burgh reached 209 before their final wicket fell.

Boston 3^rd moved into second place with a win over Grantham 2^nd but Claypole, Timberland, Lindum Academy and Spalding 3^rd are all still within striking distance.

The closest game of the day saw Pinchbeck make 177 and Claypole finish just four runs short of this target.

Division One

Woodhall Spa 2^nd 207, Skegness 2^nd 122-9;

Lindum Ramblers 181-9 (Watkin 61, Forbes 5-27), Belton Park 105 (M Benson 5-26);

Grantham 147 (Mudie 72), Moulton Harrox 148-6 (Barnett 95no);

Bourne 2^nd 214-5 (T Bentley 100no), Stamford Town 178-8;

Spalding 346-6 (Hussain 106, M Kearns jnr 52, C Kearns 62), Market Deeping 2^nd 64;

Sleaford 2^nd 47 (Scott 5-20), Billingborough 49-0;

Division Two

Cavaliers 166-9 (Dale 54), Billingborough 2^nd 169-7 (Duncan 65);

Thomas Cook 133-8, Blankney 137-3 (B Hargrave 53);

Stamford Town 2^nd 188-9 (Birch 52), Boston 2^nd 98;

Welby 204-7 (Bradbury 102no), Spalding 2^nd 72;

Moulton Harrox 189-9 (Beale 73, M Barnett 70, Lamin 5-47), Baston 84;

Division Three

Welby 2nd 204-8 (Meadows 86), Timberland 205-5 (King 69);

Boston 3^rd 204-6 (Gridling 61), Grantham 2^nd 96;

Friskney 305-2 (Griffiths 126no, Baxter 75, M Troops 68), Burgh & District 209 (Underwood 100, Sharp 51);

Pinchbeck 177, Claypole 173;