READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

September 7 round-up BY ANN BOULTON

Three centuries, an eight wicket haul and a tie between Bourne and Grimsby were the highlights of the penultimate weekend in the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League season, which left Woodhall Spa still needing 13 points to beat off the challenge of Sleaford for the championship.

Prasanna Jayawardene hit one of the centuries, his unbeaten 119 helping the leaders to 355 for six against Spalding who were bowled out for 128.

The other tons and the eight wickets came at Sleaford who faced a tougher game against Skegness.  Tim McIntosh scored 103 as the home side reached 263 for nine and soon had the visitors in trouble on 35 for three.

Then Paul Butler joined Jamie Epton (74) in a stand of 187 before Butler fell to Tom Shorthouse.  But Shaun Morris, who had already taken two wickets, came back for a second spell of bowling which brought him six wickets for four runs in just four overs and gave him figures of eight for 39 as Skegness were all out for 233.

Lindum also found themselves in trouble against title challengers Bracebridge Heath, losing their first two wickets for just 12 runs.  But Karanjit Bansal joined William Wright to take the score to 63 and when the fourth wicket fell on 68, Wright and Luke Robinson (57) shared a partnership of 97.  Wright made 64 as Lindum finished on 196 for nine, a total that looked well within reach as Bracebridge made it to 78 without loss. 

But Bansal then took three wickets for the addition of only six runs and joined forces with Jon Miller to bowl the visitors out for 133, Bansal with five for 45 and Miller five for 29. 

Neither side can catch Woodhall but both still have the runners-up slot in their sights should Sleaford get less than six points from their final match.

At Bourne, Grimsby made 263 for seven from their 55 overs, Harry Warwick hitting 79.  Conrad Louth then made 95 as Bourne pursued their target, only for the final wicket to fall on 263.  Grimsby now need to beat Sleaford next weekend to be sure of a top half of the table finish.

At the other end, Haxey gave their efforts to stave off relegation a boost by beating Louth by two wickets.  Graeme Attenborough made an unbeaten 96 as Haxey chased down their opponents’ total of 219.

Hartsholme were set a bigger target as Market Deeping made 268 for five only to see the bottom side fight their way to 242 for six and a useful 10 points, Henry Rush with 76 and Louis Kimber 65. 

Results

Woodhall Spa 355-6 (Cheer 68, Evison 77, Jayawardene 119no), Spalding 128;

Lindum 196-9 (Wright 64, Robinson 57), Bracebridge Heath 133 (Miller 5-29, Bansal 5-45);

Sleaford 263-9 (McIntosh 103), Skegness 233 (Butler 103, Epton 74, Morris 8-39);

Louth 219, Haxey 223-8 (Attenborough 96no);

Market Deeping 268-5, Hartsholme 242-6 (Rush 76, Kimber 65);

Grimsby 263-7 (Warwick 79), Bourne 263 (Louth 95).

	P	W	L	Draw	NR	Bat	Bowl	Win	Total
Woodhall Spa	21	14	3	3	1	80	79	140	317
Sleaford	21	13	4	3	1	83	70	130	309
Bracebridge Heath	21	10	5	4	2	79	74	100	295
Lindum	21	11	5	5	0	72	77	110	294
Market Deeping	21	10	7	3	1	70	66	100	252
Grimsby	21	6	7	4	3	72	60	60	226
Skegness	21	8	10	1	2	67	62	80	222
Bourne	21	4	6	7	3	59	58	40	218
Louth	21	4	10	5	2	57	58	40	198
Spalding	21	3	8	7	3	54	52	30	170
Haxey	21	4	12	3	2	34	52	40	147
Hartsholme	21	3	13	3	2	39	42	30	128