RAMBLERS RACK UP 258

By Ann Boulton

Billingborough opened up a 25 point gap over Sleaford 2nd at the top of South Lincolnshire & Border League after picking up 20 points against Boston 2nd, while Sleaford 2nd took 17 from their victory over Moulton Harrox.
Bowlers dominated in the leaders’ match, Paul Deans taking six wickets for Boston and Roy Tilley replying with five for Billingborough.
Lindum Ramblers moved into the top half or the table after hitting the division’s highest team total of the day of 258, Will Wright contributing 79 and Matt Haslam taking five wickets for Woodhall Spa who were then bowled out for 98.
On equal points with Lindum are Stamford who beat Market Deeping by five wickets thanks in part to an unbeaten 82 from Andrew Hulme while, despite five wickets for Matt Pottle, Bourne 2nd remain anchored at the bottom of the table after going down to Spalding for whom Ansar Hussain hit an unbeaten 89.
Skegness moved even further ahead at the top of Division Two after a comprehensive 10 wicket win over Stamford 2nd while Welby got back to winning ways with victory over Cavaliers and Thomas Cook won a high scoring game against Boston 3rd.
Joe Braithwaite took 11 wickets in Heckington’s two matches – five on Saturday when his team went down heavily attempting to chase Spalding’s 258 for nine and six on Sunday when Heckington scored an unexpected win over Sleaford Sunday who are now only three points ahead of Welby in second place.
Division Three leaders Spalding stay above North Luffenham after both recorded victories, Spalding beating Blankney and Luffenham – who have a game in hand on Spalding - coming out on top in the day’s highest scoring game after chasing down Claypole’s 228 for six to win by six wickets.
Grantham 2nd’s Danny Ashley hit the day’s highest total of 150 not out against an under-strength Burgh & District team. Grantham made 277 for three before bowling Burgh out for 109.

RESULTS
Division One
Billingborough 218 (Deans 6-51), Boston 2nd 92 (Tilley 5-38);
Lindum Ramblers 258 (Wright 79, Haslam 5-53), Woodhall Spa 2nd 98;
Market Deeping 2nd 185-7, Stamford 189-5 (Hulme 82no);
Spalding 172-8 (Hussain 89no, Pottle 5-29), Bourne 2nd 156-9;
Moulton Harrox 156-9 (Barnett 61), Sleaford 2nd 157-9;

Division Two
Billingborough 2nd 79 (Miles 5-17), Ropsley 80-5;
Thomas Cook 229-8 (Manohar 60), Boston 3rd 160;
Welby 190-9, Cavaliers 166-8;
Spalding 2nd 258-9 (East 88, Eyett 71, Braithwaite 5-57); Heckington 112
Stamford 2nd 137 (Williams 50), Skegness 2nd 138-0 (Ainsworth 70no, O’Dare 59no);
Heckington 174 (Ellliott 77), Sleaford Sunday 138 (Braithwaite 6-30);

Division Three
Baston 172-9 (Morris 74no), Pinchbeck 173-7 (Smith 90);
Claypole 228-6 (Ryder 69), North Luffenham 229-4 (Brew 73no, Binley 84);
Blankney 127, Spalding 3rd 131-5;
Grantham 2nd 277-3 (Ashley 150no), Burgh & District 109;
Moulton Harrox Sunday 176 (Cusack 61), Timberland 138 (Durward 50, Todd 6-36);