STAMFORD RATTLE UP 278 IN S LINCS AND BORDER

SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE & BORDER LEAGUE

JUNE  8 ROUND-UP BY ANN BOULTON

The merry-go-round continued in the South Lincolnshire & Border League Premier Division, stopping this weekend at Stamford Town whose 278 for six proved too much for Welby and took them to the top of the table.

But it was clash between challengers Boston and Billingborough that produced the most thrilling battle, Boston batting first and falling to a modest 144 all out in the 41^st over, Luke Hollingworth taking six of the wickets. 

This gifted Billingborough four extra overs and 40 from Dave Newman and Chris King’s 42 saw the home side to 123 for five.   But when King was out, this quickly became 133 for eight and despite the efforts of the lower order, the final wicket fell for 140 in the 47^th over.

Stamford’s Liam Dave hit the day’s top total with an unbeaten 155 while Trevor Walton also passed the century mark for Skegness 2^nd, his 113 not out contributing to his side’s five wicket win over Bourne 2^nd after Mark Chamberlain had taken five wickets.

And new West Indian signing Cleton Payne helped Grantham to victory over Moulton Harrox with an innings of 122.

Long Sutton retained the lead in Division One but were made to fight all the way in a low scoring game against Friskney.  James Wright hit 51 of Sutton’ total of 129 before Barry Stanway took five wickets as Friskney fell just 12 runs short of their target.

Baston kept up their challenge for honours with a four wicket win over Blankney but Spalding 2^nd dropped behind after losing to Heckington and now lead a mid-table group of six teams separated by just 11 points.  Vinit Shah was the division’s top scorer with 57 for Thomas Cook.

In Division Two, Long Sutton 2^nd lost their unbeaten record to Burgh & District who were all out for 168 then bowled their opponents out for 91.  This kept Claypole in contention despite a three wicket defeat by Lindum 3^rd.

Dave Kennedy and Steve Taylor both hit half centuries for Cavaliers who finished on 202 for eight before bowling Boston 3^rd out for 93.  But it was Pinchbeck’s Sam Smith who was the division’s highest scorer with an unbeaten 70 which helped his side to a seven wicket win over Grantham 2^nd.

The tightest game was at Timberlands where Jac Wright took five wickets to help bowl Freiston out for 95.  But Taimur Mian was also on fine form and Timberland were made to fight all the way, the winning run coming with the final pair at the crease as Mian finished with six for 25.

Premier Division

Stamford 278-6 (Dave 155no), Welby 156;

Boston 144 (Hollingworth 6-31), Billingborough 140;

Bourne 2^nd 234-9 (Christmas 55, Chamberlain 5-64), Skegness 237-5 (Walton 113no);

Woodhall Spa 2^nd 152-7, Lindum Ramblers 153-3 (Dunn 50no);

Grantham 259-5 (Payne 122, Bennett 54), Moulton Harrox 109;

Division One

Heckington 163 (Braithwaite 51),  Spalding 2^nd 98

Thomas Cook 179 (Shah 57), Stamford 2^nd 123;

Blankney 119, Baston 123-6;

Billingborough 2^nd 175-4, Boston 2^nd 128;

Long Sutton 129 (Wright 51), Friskney 117 (Stanway 5-22);

Moulton Harrox Sunday 181-9, Market Deeping 2^nd 68;

Division Two

Claypole 180 (Barnsdale 50), Lindum 3^rd 181-7;

Freiston 95 (Wright 5-29), Timberlands 96-9 (Mian 6-25);

Burgh & District 168, Long Sutton 2^nd 91;

Cavaliers 202-8 (Kennedy 55, Taylor 53no), Boston 3^rd 93;

Welby 2^nd 134-9, Spalding 3^rd 135-4;

Grantham 2^nd 147-7, Pinchbeck 148-3 (Smith 70no);