READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE MAY 31 ROUND-UP

BY ANN BOULTON

Current Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League champions Sleaford moved back into second place in the table following a 20 point win over Grimsby, narrowing the gap over leaders Bourne, who were held to a draw by Market Rasen.

Christian Burgess was the day’s only centurion, hitting 105 and putting on 166 for the third wicket with Oliver Burford (80) as Sleaford reached 301-5.  Grimsby fought hard and had reached 136 for three when Steve Butterfield, who hit 74, became the first of Nick Goacher’s five victims.  From here, the innings collapsed to 155 all out.

At Abbey Lawn, Market Rasen won the toss and invited Bourne to bat, a decision that appeared to have paid off when the first four wickets fell for just 43 runs.  But Carl Wilson and Rob Bentley added 63 and at the close Wilson was unbeaten on 63 and the score had reached 177 for nine.

Rasen got off to a better start, David Papworth and Will Bradford sharing an opening stand of 61.  From here, wickets fell steadily but the lower order dug in and at the close the visitors were 125 for eight, picking up six valuable points, with Tom Dixon taking five wickets for Bourne.

Louth took over in third place despite being bowled out for 101 at Billingborough, Joe Braithwaite claiming six wickets.  But the home side’s batsmen were no match for Andy Carrington and Amila Wettasinghe who each took five wickets as Billingborough were all out for 50.

Tom Andrews had a good day for Market Deeping who pushed Woodhall Spa down to fourth in the table.  After losing early wickets, Deeping reached 160 for nine, Andrews unbeaten on 73 while Ben O’Brien took five wickets for Woodhall.

Andrews then claimed four victims and held two good catches as the home side were bowled out for 137.

The tightest game of the day saw Lindum move up the table to go seventh, only six points behind Deeping.  Jonny Miller took six wickets as Bracebridge Heath were all out for 140 at St Giles Avenue and at 116 for three and Luke Robinson still there on 73, Lindum looked home and dry.  

Then four wickets for Matt Bradley and a run out almost turned the game but Jake Benson and James Kimber, playing his first game in the Premier League, hung on to see their side to a one wicket win.

Skegness moved above Grimsby and Billingborough with a six wicket win over Spalding who were all out for 160.  Peter Houghton then hit 85 to help his side to victory.

Results

Louth 101 (Braithwaite 6-44), Billingborough 50 (Carrington 5-18, Wettasinghe 5-29);

Bourne 177-9 (Wilson 63no), Market Rasen 125-8 (Dixon 5-44);

Sleaford 301-5 (Burgess 105, Burford 80), Grimsby 155 (Butterfield 74, Goacher 5-17);

Market Deeping 160-9 (Andrews 73no, O’Brien 5-50), Woodhall Spa 137;

Spalding 160, Skegness 161-4 (Houghton 85);

Bracebridge Heath 140 (Miller 6-38), Lindum 141-9 (Robinson 73).

	P	W	L	Draw	NR	Bat	Bowl	Win	Total
Bourne	7	3	0	3	1	24	23	30	107
Sleaford	7	3	0	3	1	24	26	30	98
Louth	7	3	0	2	2	13	22	30	87
Woodhall Spa	7	2	1	2	2	19	19	20	84
Bracebridge Heath	7	3	3	0	1	20	27	30	82
Market Deeping	7	3	1	1	2	16	20	30	79
Lindum	7	2	2	1	2	15	21	20	73
Spalding	7	1	2	3	1	22	15	10	67
Skegness	7	1	4	0	2	11	14	10	45
Grimsby	7	1	4	1	1	12	16	10	44
Billingborough	7	0	3	2	2	10	20	0	44
Market Rasen	7	0	2	2	3	3	8	0	30