HARTSHOLME SPRING SURPRISE

By Ann Boulton

Market Deeping closed the gap on Bracebridge Heath at the top of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League with a convincing win over current champions Bourne while Hartsholme scored a surprise victory over Louth to put themselves well clear of the three teams below them at the foot of the table.
But it was Lindum who made the most significant move, bouncing back up to third with a 20 point win over Woodhall Spa who slumped from 68 for two to 106 all out, Matt Rutherford bowling 11 overs, five of which were maidens and taking five wickets for just 17 runs.
In reply, Lindum found themselves seven for two then 58 for five but from here Rutherford and Harry Dunn got together to score the 49 runs required for victory.
Sleaford elected to bat at Cross O’ Cliff Court and Matthew Mountain’s 54 helped the total to 203 for eight. Bracebridge were then reduced to 74 for three but Paul Cook and George Neal put together an unbeaten partnership that took their team to victory, Cook with 89 and Neal 53.
At Ashby Avenue, with the score on 190 for five, Warren Nel still at the crease and plenty of overs to go, Hartsholme looked set for a big score. But Nel was stumped off Mark Roberts for 119 and some tight bowling from Nuwan Shiroman and Tom Corden saw the home side slump to 212 all out in the 47th over, Corden finishing with four wickets.
Louth lost two early wickets and by the 31st over had been restricted to 124 for five with Stewart West making 67 of these runs. But the lower order dug in until Nel rejoined the attack to take three wickets and the visitors’ challenge ended 15 runs short as the last wicket fell on 197.
Nettleham gained valuable points at home to Boston to stay above Sleaford at the bottom of the table. Dan Wright finished in the 90s for the second time this season as he was out for 96 with Phil Brown hitting 54 and Tom Baxter taking six wickets. The visitors then made hard work of chasing the runs and could only reach 157 for eight, Matt Ward with 50 and Jack Bayliss taking five wickets for Nettleham.
Skegness pulled off the shock result of the day, beating Grimsby, who had occupied third place. Playing at Richmond Road, the seasiders finished on 169 for nine, Norman Brackley with 40 and Carl Wilson 44 while Lee Charlton took four wickets for Grimsby who could only manage 145 before the final wicket fell.
Market Deeping made the day’s top score of 225 for nine at home to Bourne who were then bowled out for 112, Lee Peacock hitting 58 for Deeping and Tom Andrews taking five for 37.

Results
Woodhall Spa 106 (Rutherford 5-17), Lindum 107-5; Hartsholme 212 (Nel 119), Louth 197 (S West 67); Sleaford 203-8 (Mountain 54), Bracebridge Heath 205-3 (Cook 89no, Neal 53no); Nettleham 201 (Wright 96, Brown 54, Baxter 6-66), Boston 157-8 (Ward 50, Bayliss 5-45); Skegness 169-9, Grimsby 145; Market Deeping 225-9 (Peacock 58), Bourne 112 (Andrews 5-37).

HOW THEY STAND
Team P W L Draw Ab/Can Bat Bowl Win Draw Ab/Can Total
Bracebridge Heath 6 4 0 1 1 29 24 40 9 5 107
Market Deeping 6 4 0 2 0 30 25 40 6 0 101
Lindum 6 3 2 1 0 20 24 30 9 0 83
Grimsby 6 3 2 1 0 25 19 30 7 0 81
Louth 6 1 2 3 0 23 22 10 19 0 74
Bourne 6 3 3 0 0 19 22 30 0 0 71
Skegness 6 2 2 1 1 20 17 20 9 5 71
Boston 6 2 2 2 0 17 23 20 10 0 70
Hartsholme 6 1 2 2 1 20 18 10 10 5 63
Woodhall Spa 6 1 2 3 0 15 14 10 5 0 44
Nettleham 6 0 2 3 1 15 14 0 9 5 43
Sleaford 6 0 5 1 0 21 10 0 7 0 38