HOOK HAT-TRICK - BUT IS HE CAPTAIN HOOK?

BY ANN BOULTON

A rain-affected top of the table clash at Billingborough was finally won by Spalding who move 22 points ahead of their promotion rivals.  Spalding win a crucial toss and invited Billingborough to bat, bowling them out for 136.  Josh Newton then hit 80 to help his side to victory.

Stamford remained third after no play was possible in their match while the remaining games were also after play had started.  Grantham were the unluckiest side – have made 175 for five, they had reduced Woodhall Spa 2^nd to 70 for nine when rain intervened and robbed them of what looked like a certain victory.

Division Two fared better with four games completed.  Welby marched on at the top with a 20 point win over Moulton Harrox, catching up one of the games in hand on second placed Spalding 2^nd.  And Stamford 2nd stayed in contention in third place, beating Heckington by three wickets despite Chris Morley’s unbeaten 105 and Will Charlesworth’s five for 50.

Baston finally moved off the bottom of the table after John Lamin took seven for 12 to dismiss Thomas Cook for 60.  But the visitors were made to fight for their points as Arshan Majeed claimed five for 14 including a hat trick before Baston clawed their way to a one wicket win.

At Boston, Billingborough 2^nd’s Nathan Garfoot added another 59 to his runs total and 13 year old Lewis Holmes took five wickets for the home side but the game was abandoned 17 overs into the second innings.

No play was possible at Division Three leaders Friskney while second placed Claypole were also rained off but picked up points from a first innings total of 206 for seven.

Boston 3^rd v Lindum Academy went into the second innings after 13 year old Jack Timby had it 43 to help his side to 166 and Harry Stow took five wickets for Lindum who had 63 on the board without loss when rain stopped play.

And in the only game to finish on Saturday, Sean Hook took a hat trick for Spalding 3^rd as Pinchbeck were out for 105, Richard Riley hitting an unbeaten 49.  Spalding went on to win by four wickets to stay third in the table.

Division One

Billingborough 136, Spalding 138-5 (Newton 80);

Grantham 175-5 (Ashley 55no), Woodhall Spa 2^nd 70-9 - abandoned

Market Deeping 2^nd 119, Lindum Ramblers 37-4 – abandoned

Moulton Harrox 114-6 v Sleaford 2^nd – abandoned;

Stamford Town v Skegness 2^nd – abandoned, no play;

Division Two

Thomas Cook 60 (Lamin 7-12), Baston 61-9 (Majeed 5-14 inc hat trick);

Heckington 141-7 (Morley 105no), Stamford Town 2^nd 142-7 (Charlesworth 5-50);

Cavaliers 126-6, Blankney 127-5;

Moulton Harrox 51, Welby 52-1

Billingborough 2^nd 155 (Garfoot 59, Holmes 5-23), Boston 2^nd 98-2 – abandoned

Division Three

Pinchbeck 105 (Hook 3-26 - hat trick), Spalding 3^rd 106-6;

Grantham 2nd 132-9 (Ashley 59), Burgh & District 134-9;

Boston 3^rd 166 (Stow 5-33), Lindum Academy 63-0 – abandoned;

Claypole 206-7 (K Jacques 76) v Welby 2^nd – abandoned

Timberland v Friskney – abandoned, no play