JULY 12 SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE & BORDER CRICKET LEAGUE

BY ANN BOULTON

South Lincolnshire & Border League leaders Grantham and challengers Boston returned similar results to retain the status quo at the top, Boston finishing 180 for nine before dismissing Moulton Harrox for 136 while Grantham were bowled out for 189 against Long Sutton who made 125.

Lindum kept up their challenge with a seven wicket win over Belton Park and Bourne 2^nd stay fourth after beating Woodhall Spa 2^nd.

The closest game was at Sleaford 2^nd where Ben Burrows had an excellent day, hitting 59 of his sides’s 181 for eight, five wickets falling to David Holland.  Stamford Town then threatened the home side’s score as skipper Tom Williams hit 78 but the final wicket fell just 11 runs short, Burrows claiming a catch and four wickets.

At the bottom of the table, Welby’s good form continued with a four wicket victory over Skegness 2^nd.

Cavaliers continued to climb the Division One table, denting Billingborough 2^nd’s title hopes with a six wicket win while Spalding 2nds scored a convincing win over Friskney to stay top.

In the tightest game in this division, Heckington returned to their early season tradition of close games, beating Market Deeping 2^nd by just five runs.

The top two teams in Division Two were without a game but Claypole kept up their challenge with a seven wicket win over Boston 3^rd.  A high scoring game at Timberland saw Grantham 3^rd make 215 for eight - of which Mark Donnellan hit 74 - a total the home side chased successfully for the loss of seven wickets.

And bottom side Burgh & District claimed a welcome six wicket victory over Pinchbeck.

Premier Division

Belton Park 128, Lindum Ramblers 134-3 (Sarkar 51no);

Bourne 2^nd 212-3 (Temple 65no), Woodhall Spa 2^nd 147;

Boston 180-9 (Cusack 5-50), Moulton Harrox 136;

Grantham 185 (Whapplington 53), Long Sutton 125;

Skegness 2^nd 132-9, Welby 133-6;

Sleaford 2^nd 181-8 (Burrows 59, Holland 5-46), Stamford Town 170 (Williams 78);

Division One

Heckington 141, Market Deeping 2^nd 136;

Woodlands 167 (Shah 68no), Boston 2^nd 168-6 (Baxter 56);

Baston 90 (Norse 5-3), Grantham 2^nd 92-5;

Billingborough 2^nd 68, Cavaliers 69-4;

Friskney 38 (Juckes 5-10), Spalding 2^nd 41-1;

Division Two

Grantham 3^rd 215-8 (Donnellan 74), Timberland 216-7;

Boston 3^rd 160-8, Claypole 161-3 (Wadd 75no);

Pinchbeck 138 (Smith 51no), Burgh & District 140-4 (Blackmore 61);