BILLINGBOROUGH TOP SOUTH LINCS AND BORDER LEAGUE

FROM ANN BOULTON

Just three points separate the top three teams in the South Lincolnshire & Border League Premier Division.

Billingborough top the table with 118 points out of a possible 120 with Boston and Stamford Town both on 115.  Billingborough notched up the highest score of the day with 244 for seven before bowling Welby out for 146 while Boston beat Skegness 2^nd by nine wickets.

Stamford, who have played one more game than their rivals, hit 212 against Woodhall Spa 2nd but were unable to clinch 20 points as their opponents’ final pair held out to 117 for nine.

Billingborough’s Luke Hollingworth hit the division’s top individual score with 83 while Darren Ashley returned the best bowling figures, taking seven for 12 in Grantham’s victory over Lindum Ramblers.

Long Sutton and Baston continued their battle at the top of Division One, Baston claiming victory over Heckington while Long Sutton scored a convincing win over Moulton Harrox Sunday.

Tom Dale was the pick of the division’s bowlers, taking six for 26 for Spalding in a tight game against Stamford Town 2^nd who were all out for 123 then claimed nine Spalding wickets before the visitors scrambled to victory.

In Division Two, Scott Barnsdale took seven for 18 for Claypole who were out for only 74 but then bowled Timberland out for 44.  This kept Claypole in second place behind Long Sutton 2^nd who have yet to lose a game and continued their winning run with victory over Pinchbeck.

Richard Gilbert’s six for 25 against Boston 3^rd, which included a hat trick, kept Spalding 3^rd in third place and Cavaliers stay fourth thanks to Lewis Taylor’s five for 14 off 12 overs which helped to overcome Grantham.  Angus Pickering was also among the wickets, taking six for 14 for Lindum 3^rd against Welby 2^nd.

Premier Division

Belton Park 118, Bourne 2^nd 122-5 (R Bentley 54);

Skegness 2^nd 161-8 (Ainsworth 60), Boston 164-1 (Moore 56, Baxter 68no);

Stamford Town 212 (Bore 52), Woodhall Spa 2^nd 117-9;

Billingborough 244-7 (Hollingworth 83), Welby 146 (Tickler 64);

Grantham 216-5 (Payne 82), Lindum Ramblers 68 (Ashley 7-12);

Sleaford 2^nd 178-9 (Hutson 75), Moulton Harrox 107 (Rickett 5-24);

Division One

Baston 177-8, Heckington 95;

Thomas Cook 120, Billingborough 2^nd 121-6;

Stamford Town 2^nd 123 (Dale 6-26), Spalding 2^nd 127-9;

Friskney 114, Boston 2^nd 115-7;

Blankney 95, Market Deeping 96-4;

Long Sutton 2^nd 166 (Bull 60, Woodall 5-46), Moulton Harrox Sunday 29;

Division Two

Lindum 3^rd 151, Welby 2^nd 46 (A Pickering 6-14);

Cavaliers 171, Grantham 2^nd 42 (Taylor 5-14);

Spalding 3^rd 184 (Young 70), Boston 3^rd 119 (R Gilbert 6-25 inc hat trick);

Claypole 74, Timberland 44 (Barnsdale 7-18);

Burgh & District 81, Freiston 82-4;

Long Sutton 2^nd 203-8, Pinchbeck 117;