SOUTH LINCS AND BORDER TEAM MANAGES RECORD POINTS TALLY

SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE & BORDER LEAGUE

September 21 round-up by Ann Boulton

Billingborough went out on a high note with two centuries in their victory over Grantham, having amassed what is believed to be a record 407 points for the season.

Dave Newman hit 107 and Andy Scott 100 as the South Lincolnshire & Border League champions reached 290 for seven off their 45 overs.  Grantham lost early wickets then Danny Ashley (34) and Lewis Dann (45) dug in and it looked as if the fifth placed side would deny Billingborough maximum points. 

But Rutvik Botadra has other ideas, claiming five for 29 including the final wicket with the score on 140 and taking his tally for the season to 63.

Below Billingborough, a fierce fight was going on for the runners-up spot which finally went to Bourne 2^nd after a tight game between Boston and Stamford Town.  Batting first, Boston made 160 for nine, Tom Baxter with an unbeaten 61. 

Simon Prentice then anchored the Stamford innings as the score crept up but the final ball saw the home side still five runs short of their target on 155 for seven, Prentice carrying his bat with 68.

This left Stamford two points behind Bourne with Boston just one behind in fourth.

Belton Park, making a last ditch attempt to stay out of the bottom two, lost out to Sleaford 2^nd  but with Moulton Harrox going down in a low scoring game at Lindum Ramblers, Belton picked up enough points to move above their rivals.

Sleaford were all out for 239, Simon Godby with 98 and Tom Brooke then took six for 19 off seven overs as Belton were all out for 150. 

At St Giles Avenue, Lindum were bowled out for 105 but Moulton were then all out for 82.

Long Sutton ended their first season back in the league with a win over Stamford Town 2^nd to consolidate top place in Division One.

Stamford, who were guaranteed second place, made 186 for seven and Sutton then lost eight wickets reaching their target.  At Market Deeping, Jamie Morgan hit 97 of his side’s total of 196 against Heckington who were bowled out for 116. And Blankney went down by six wickets to Billingborough 2^nd.

Claypole and Spalding 3^rd fought out the tightest game in Division Two with good batting right down the order taking Claypole to 216 for nine, only for Spalding to put in an equally good performance to finish just six runs adrift on 210 for eight.

Elsewhere, much lower scoring games saw Burgh & District beat Timberland by eight wickets and Freiston end Lindum 3^rd’s hopes of finishing runners-up behind Long Sutton 2^nd with a seven wicket win.  Boston 3^rd also went out with a victory by seven wickets over Pinchbeck.

Premier Division

Boston 160-9 (Baxter 61no), Stamford Town 155-7 (Prentice 68no);

Billingborough 290-7 (A Scott 100, Newman 107, S Scott 60), Grantham 140 (Botadra 5-39);

Sleaford 239 (Godby 98, Wilson 50), Belton Park 150 (Wiffin 58, Brooke 6-19);

Lindum Ramblers 105 (Morley-Barnes 59), Moulton Harrox 82 (Cusack 55no);

Division One

Market Deeping 196 (Morgan 97), Heckington 116;

Stamford Town 2^nd 186-7 (J Morley 61), Long Sutton 190-8;

Blankney 149 (Foster 63), Billingborough 2^nd 150-4 (Cox 65);

Division Two

Timberland 96, Burgh & District 100-2 (Sharp 54no);

Lindum 3^rd 50 (Booth 5-15), Freiston 52-3;

Pinchbeck 55, Boston 3^rd 57-3;

Claypole 216-9, Spalding 3^rd 210-8;