SOUTH LINCS AND BORDER ROUND-UP BY ANN BOULTON

Boston and Billingborough once again maintained the status quo at the top of the South Lincolnshire & Border League Premier Division on July 27, both gaining 20 points. And Stamford Town moved back into third after beating Belton Park by eight wickets.

Scott Elleray’s six wickets for nine runs put paid to Welby’s pursuit of Boston’s 242 for seven while Billingborough declared after 29 overs on a massive 261 for three against Moulton Harrox who were bowled out for 184.  Luke Hollingworth made 96, Dave Newman 64 and Steve Scott an unbeaten 50 for Billingborough while Chris Beale hit 66 for Moulton.

Cleton Payne made the only century in this division, scoring 103 of Grantham’s total of 200 for three, but this wasn’t sufficient to beat Bourne 2^nd who won by five wickets.

It was a good day for the Birch family as 16 year old Alex took five for 13 in Stamford’s victory while dad Chris claimed seven for 30 in Stamford 2^nd’s Division One clash with title challengers Baston.

Earlier, Jon Morley had made 109 not out to help Stamford 2nd to 220 for four.  Birch’s haul then helped bowl Baston out for 154.  This pushed Stamford up to third place, two points ahead of Baston, with Friskney now in second place following their 10 wicket win over Thomas Cook.

Nick Andrews hit the second century in this division, his 106 helping Market Deeping 2^nd to 216 for four, a total Billingborough 2^nd overtook for the loss of eight wickets.

Blankney opened up a gap over the bottom two after a quickfire 72 from Matt Rhodes, which included 10 fours and three sixes, saw them to an eight wicket win over Moulton Harrox.

Division Three also had a century maker in Mark Johnson of Burgh & District who hit the day’s top score with an unbeaten 114 of Burgh’s 211 for four.  Welby 2nd then hung on to deny Burgh maximum points, finishing 109 for eight.

Austen Imber made an unbeaten 92 in Grantham 2^nd’s 36 run win over Timberland while leaders Long Sutton 2^nd were held to 135 for nine by Lindum 3^rd but went on to win after Rob Simpson took five Lindum wickets for 26.

Premier Division

Boston 242-7 (Azim 70), Welby 85 (Elleray 6-9);

Billingborough 261-3 dec (Hollingworth 96, Newman 64, Scott 50no), Moulton Harrox 184 (Beale 66);

Grantham 200-3 (Payne 103), Bourne 2^nd 201-5;

Woodhall Spa 2^nd 143, Skegness 2^nd 144-4 (Ainsworth 69);

Belton Park 89 (A Birch 5-13), Stamford Town 93-2;

Lindum Ramblers 80, Sleaford 2^nd 84-2.

Division One

Stamford Town 2^nd 220-4 (Morley 109no, Martin 64no), Baston 154 (C Birch 7-30);

Thomas Cook 101, Friskney 103-0 (Grant 53);

Boston 2^nd 211-5 (D Gilding 60, Mitchell 89), Spalding 2^nd 178 (S Tott 50);

Market Deeping 2^nd 216-4 (N Andrews 106), Billingborough 2^nd 220-8 (Garfoot 62);

Moulton Harrox Sunday 150 (Barnett 61no), Blankney 152-2 (Behan 59no, Rhodes 72).

Division Two

Burgh & District 211-4 (Johnson 114no), Welby 2^nd 109-8;

Freiston 201-9, Boston 3^rd 104;

Cavaliers 257-8 (Kennedy 54, Taylor 68no), Spalding 87;

Long Sutton 2^nd 135-9, Lindum 3^rd 74 (Simpson 5-26);

Grantham 2^nd 238-6 (Imber 92no, Abbott 51no), Timberland 202-9 (Blankley 67, Moor 52no).