SLEAFORD SECOND TO NO-ONE

By Ann Boulton

After four matches, just four points separate the top three in South Lincolnshire & Border League Division One. Sleaford 2nd head the list, two in front of Billingborough with Grantham a further two points adrift after all three recorded victories over the weekend.
Sleaford beat Market Deeping by 87 runs while Billingborough fought out a tighter game against Woodhall Spa 2nd who were set a target of 225 but finished on 192 for nine. And Grantham just failed to bowl bottom side Bourne 2nd out but collected 17 points from their four wicket win.
Spalding put an end to Belton Park’s good start to the season and Lindum Ramblers put their bad run behind them with a win over Boston 3rd, Will Wright hitting the division’s top score of the day with 74.
Skegness 2nd lead Division Two but only 11 points separate the next five teams. Welby lie second despite going down to a real nailbiter against fourth placed Cavaliers who lost nine wickets chasing a modest total of 117.
In contrast, Heckington devasted Billingborough 2nd whose pursuit of their visitors’ 205 for seven ended on just 39, Joe Braithwaite taking five for 20 off nine overs and Sam Elliott four for 19 off 10.
Thomas Cook moved up to third after beating Boston 3rd who suffered a second defeat on Sunday against Sleaford for whom Gavin Hutson hit the weekend’s only century.
In Division Three, it was an early finish at Claypole after Scott Barnsdale’s six for 21 off nine overs helped bowl Grantham 2nd out for 66, a total Claypole knocked off without loss.
North Luffenham won the battle at the top of the table despite being bowled out for 105 by Baston who were then all out for 86 but remain two points clear of their opponents. Timberland moved into third after beating Burgh & District and on Sunday, Spalding 3rd got the better of Moulton Harrox.

SCORES
Division One
Bourne 2nd 158-9, Grantham 159-6;
Spalding 225-4 (Hendry 63, Ambrose 61), Belton Park 153;
Stamford 134, Moulton Harrox 137-4;
Lindum Ramblers 244-3 (Wright 74, Elworthy 55no), Boston 2nd 173;
Sleaford 2nd 234-7 (Godby 62), Market Deeping 2nd 147 (Andrews 62);
Billingborough 225 (Harrison 63, Hughes 5-48), Woodhall Spa 2nd 192-9 (Robson 51no, Scott 5-52).

Division Two
Heckington 208-7 (Garfoot 52), Billingborough 2nd 39 (Braithwaite 5-20);
Stamford 2nd 160 (Williams 55no), Spalding 2nd 147-9 (East 50, Clark 50);
Thomas Cook 203 (Easwaran 80), Boston 3rd 154 (Elleray 64);
Welby 117, Cavaliers 118-9;
Skegness v Ropsley – Ropsley conceded
Sleaford Sunday 265-7 (Hutson 102), Boston 3rd 130.

Division ThreeNorth Luffenham 105, Baston 86 (King 5-16);
Grantham 2nd 66 (Barnsdale 6-21), Claypole 72-0;
Timberland 207, Burgh & District 113;
Spalding 3rd 193-8 (M Kearns jr 81no), Moulton Harrox Sunday 124 (Broomfield 51).