SOUTH LINCS AND BORDER ROUND-UP OF JUNE 22 GAMES

FROM AN N BOULTON

Stamford Town moved further ahead at the top of the South Lincolnshire & Border League Premier Division as Boston lost narrowly at Bourne and Billingborough were rained off early in the second innings.

Both teams have a game in hand on the leaders but Stamford are now 17 points up on Boston and 20 ahead of Billingborough. 

Steve Armstrong took five for seven for Stamford to help bowl Grantham out for 91 but the top team were made to fight hard for their win, losing six wickets before claiming victory.

Tom Bentley was the man of the match for Bourne, hitting 59 as his side posted 194 for five then taking six for 40.  Matthew Poole’s 59 and an unbeaten 73 from Tom Baxter almost saw Boston home but the second placed side were finally bowled out for 181.

Woodhall Spa set Billingborough a target of 179 but rain washed out further play with the visitors on 48 without loss.

In a day when batsmen struggled for runs, only two teams passed the 200 mark.  One of these was Sleaford 2^nd for whom Paul Roberts hit an unbeaten century in his side’s 217 for five. James Rickett then took eight for 25 off 10 overs as Skegness were bowled out for 132.

In the battle at the bottom of the table, Belton Park picked up welcome points, defeating Moulton Harrox, thanks in part to Daniel Turner’s 120, the day’s highest individual score. 

Long Sutton’s reign at the top of Division One continues following a low scoring game against Spalding 2^nd.  Tom Dale took seven for 23 as the leaders were bowled out for a meagre 45, six batsmen failing to score.

But even that small total proved too much for Spalding as Paul Edgeller took five for nine and the home side collapsed to 38 all out, again with six ducks.

Baston stayed in touch with the top, beating Moulton Harrox Sunday by 10 wickets to stay 20 points behind Long Sutton.  But Baston have Stamford 2^nd breathing down their necks, just one point behind while Thomas Cook trail Stamford by four after both won at the weekend, against Heckington and Blankney respectively.

Only 12 points separate second and sixth in this division but things are more clear-cut in Division Two where Long Sutton 2^nd have built up a 29 point lead at the top.

Cavaliers have moved into second after hitting the day’s highest score of 225 for seven then bowling Pinchbeck out for 91, Jamie Hayes taking six for 18.

Claypole slipped to third, having gone down by eight wickets to Long Sutton and Spalding 3^rd are fourth.

Burgh and District are enjoying a good season, lying fifth after beating Grantham.

Only three games were lost to the weather, a tribute to the work of groundsmen and the determination of captains and umpires to play wherever possible.

Premier Division

Grantham 91 (Armstrong 5-7), Stamford Town 92-6;

Moulton Harrox 190-6 (Beale 53no), Belton Park 194-6 (Turner 120);

Bourne 2^nd 194-5 (T Bentley 59), Boston 181 (Poole 59, Baxter 73no, T Bentley 6-40);

Sleaford 2^nd 217-5 (Roberts 100no), Skegness 2^nd 132 (Rickett 8-25);

Woodhall Spa 2^nd 179-6 (Bradford 58no), Billingborough 48-0 – game abandoned;

Welby 47-2 v Lindum Ramblers – game abandoned

Division One

Long Sutton 45 (Dale 7-23), Spalding 2^nd 38 (Edgeller 5-9);

Heckington 91, Thomas Cook 93-9 (Matta 50no);

Blankney 134-6 (Thomas 60), Stamford Town 2^nd 136-5 (Williams 67);

Friskney 198-8, Billingborough 2^nd 199-7 (Stanley 74);

Market Deeping 2^nd 176-5, Boston 2^nd 81;

Moulton Harrox Sunday 53 (Richardson 6-23), Baston 54-0;

Division Two

Claypole 80, Long Sutton 2^nd 84-2;

Welby 2^nd 118, Freiston 120-7;

Grantham 2^nd 111-7 (Shaw 67no), Burgh & District 112-8;

Cavaliers 225-7 (Kennedy 50, Taylor 55no), Pinchbeck 91 (Hayes 6-18);

Timberland 90, Boston 3^rd 94-6;

Lindum 3^rd v Spalding 3^rd – abandoned