NETTLEHAM INCH HOME

By Ann Boulton

A high-scoring game at Mulsanne Park saw Nettleham claim their first victory of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League season with just four balls of the game to spare.
Warren Nel batted 50 overs for his unbeaten 130, putting on 155 for the first wicket with Andrew Hibbert (61) as the home side chased down Louth’s challenging total of 256 for nine, Jim Morgan making 68 and Graham West 56 for the visitors.
This leaves Louth anchored at the foot of the table on equal terms with Bourne who went down to Skegness by six wickets despite showing an improvement in their batting to reach 199 for eight. Carl Wilson then hit an unbeaten 57 for the seasiders who moved into the top six.
Hartsholme succeeded in bowling out leaders Bracebridge Heath for 227 on the last ball of the innings, collecting a valuable five points before themselves being bowled out for 112.
Grimsby stay second after a winning draw at Woodhall Spa, who lost eight wickets as they fell 32 runs short of their visitors’ total of 217 for nine, while Sleaford went from sixth to third despite losing seven wickets chasing Boston’s modest total of 141.
This Sleaford victory denied Lindum a move back up from fourth despite their seven wicket win over Market Deeping which earned them 20 points. Three batsmen from the Lincoln side made half centuries, Geoff Middleton top scoring with an unbeaten 70.

RESULTS
Bracebridge Heath 227 (Houston 57), Hartsholme 112;
Bourne 199-8, Skegness 201-4 (Badenhorst 54, Wilson 57no);
Market Deeping 199 (Cowley 64), Lindum 200-3 (Morley-Barnes 52, Hornsby 54, Middleton 70no);
Boston 141, Sleaford 142-7;
Louth 256-9 (Morgan 68, G West 56), Nettleham 259-4 (Nel 130no, Hibbert 61);
Grimsby 217-9, Woodhall Spa 185-8 (Evison 67).

HOW THEY STAND
Bracebridge Heath 4 3 0 0 1 12 15 30 0 57 95%
Grimsby 4 2 0 2 0 15 17 20 14 66 83%
Sleaford 4 2 1 0 1 11 12 20 0 43 72%
Lindum 4 3 1 0 0 12 15 30 0 57 71%
Market Deeping 4 2 1 0 1 7 9 20 0 36 60%
Skegness 4 2 1 0 1 7 9 20 0 36 60%
Nettleham 4 1 1 1 1 13 9 10 3 35 58%
Boston 4 1 2 0 1 5 13 10 0 28 47%
Woodhall Spa 4 0 1 2 1 10 7 0 10 27 45%
Hartsholme 4 0 2 1 1 5 12 0 3 20 33%
Louth 4 0 3 0 1 10 6 0 0 16 27%
Bourne 4 0 3 0 1 5 11 0 0 16 27%