HEATH FURTHER AHEAD

By Ann Boulton

Bracebridge Heath opened up a gap at the top of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League with victory over Louth, setting their opponents a target of 229. But Louth could only manage 152, of which Nuwan Shiroman hit 62 and moved to top place in the total of runs for the season with Hartsholme’s Warren Nel, both having made 390 from seven games.
Although Nel made only six before becoming the first of Tom Andrews’ six victims, his side came away from second placed Market Deeping with the lion’s share of the points after notching up the day’s highest total of 259 for nine. Kit Spence was closing in on his maiden Premier League century when he too fell to Andrews for 94 and with Chris Jones at the crease, Deeping looked set for another successful run chase.
But wickets fell steadily at the other end, Martin Shillito claiming four and Deeping had to settle for 198 for seven, Jones carrying his bat with 103, the day’s only century.
Deeping are now 16 points behind Bracebridge who were bowled out for 229. But at 51 for five, the top side were looking at a much lower score before James Wright and Brett Houston saved the day with a stand of 109, both passing their half centuries. Newly arrived South African Ashley Schultz took three Louth wickets and looks set to fill the opening bowler slot vacated by Aaron Onyon.
Grimsby profited from Deeping’s result and are now just 10 points off second place, replacing Lindum in third after setting Bourne a target of 227 before bowling them out for 200, Conrad Louth making 83. Jim Morgan hit 72 and Neal Snell 51 for Grimsby while George Linde added five more wickets to his growing total.
Lindum slid down the table once again to fifth after being bowled out for 114 at London Road, a total Sleaford overtook for the loss of six wickets, Oliver Burford making a welcome return to captain the home side.
This gave Boston the opportunity to move to a heady fourth place with an 18 run victory over Skegness. Boston were bowled out for 218 in the 45th over, Josh Newton top scoring with 44 and Elliot Wilson swapping ball for bat with an unbeaten 42. This gave Skegness 55 overs to bat – which ultimately counted in Boston’s favour as they bowled their opponents out for 201 in the 54th, Peter Houghton making 47.
Nettleham slipped to the bottom of the table after going down by four wickets to fellow strugglers Woodhall Spa for whom Sam Evison hit 80, while skipper David Manby again reached a half century for Nettleham.

RESULTS
Boston 218, Skegness 201; Grimsby 227-9 (Morgan 72, Snell 51), Bourne 200 (Louth 83, Linde 5-52); Bracebridge Heath 229 (Wright 59, Houston 53), Louth 152 (Shiroman 62); Hartsholme 259-9 (Spence 94, Wilkinson 65, Andrews 6-69), Market Deeping 198-7 (Jones 103no); Lindum 114, Sleaford 115-6; Nettleham 154 (Manby 50), Woodhall Spa 155-6 (Evison 80).

HOW THEY STAND
Team P W L Draw Ab/Can Bat Bowl Win Draw Ab/Can Points
Bracebridge Heath 7 5 0 1 1 34 29 50 9 5 127
Market Deeping 7 4 0 3 0 33 29 40 9 0 111
Grimsby 7 4 2 1 0 30 24 40 7 0 101
Boston 7 3 2 2 0 21 28 30 10 0 89
Lindum 7 3 3 1 0 20 26 30 9 0 85
Louth 7 1 3 3 0 25 27 10 19 0 81
Skegness 7 2 3 1 1 24 22 20 9 5 80
Bourne 7 3 4 0 0 23 26 30 0 0 79
Hartsholme 7 1 2 3 1 25 21 10 17 5 78
Woodhall Spa 7 2 2 3 0 20 19 20 5 0 64
Sleaford 7 1 5 1 0 26 15 10 7 0 58
Nettleham 7 0 3 3 1 17 16 0 9 5 47