JULY 26 READERS LINCOLNSHIRE ECB PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE ROUND-UP BY ANN BOULTON

Two centuries, an eight wicket haul and five catches for Bracebridge Heath captain Paul Cook were the highlights of a weekend that saw Spalding pull off the biggest upset of the day with a comprehensive victory over leaders Bourne.

Tim McIntosh took the eight wickets for Sleaford while in the same game Sam Evison hit 100 of Woodhall Spa’s total of 254 for nine.

Sleaford gave chase with Oliver Burford leading the way with 62, but the visitors fell short by 29 runs as the final wicket fell on the last ball of the game, a victory that moved Woodhall up to equal fourth in the table.

The second century came from Jamie Epton whose unbeaten 110 saw Skegness to victory at Billingborough in the highest scoring game of the day where both sides topped the 250 run mark.

Steve Scott hit 65 as Billingborough finally found some batting form to notch up 257 for nine but Epton’s ton and 52 from Peter Houghton saw the Skegness to six wicket win.

Henry Charlton made 73 and Ben Smith 81 at Bourne as Spalding finished on 239 for nine.  The home side were then reduced to 16 for four and despite a middle order rally by Carl Wilson (49) and Rob Bentley (44), Bourne were still 100 short of their target when the final wicket fell.

A captain’s innings from Steven Crossley saw Grimsby pick up valuable points with a draw at Lindum who batted their way to 247 for six, Will Wright continuing his good form with 70.  Crossley hit an unbeaten 46 as the visitors reached 167 for seven, Jake Benson claiming five wickets.

Lindum gained sufficient points to hang on to second place but are now only one ahead of Bracebridge Heath who made the day’s highest team score at home to Louth, with 279 for eight, of which Hymie Bentley hit 86 and Brett Houston 72.

Matt Carter then bowled an economical 17 overs to take four for 34 as, helped by some good catching from Cook, Louth were all out for 114.

Market Deeping moved back into third place, on level pegging with Woodhall but with more victories.  A very young Market Rasen side, with six players under 17, were the visitors to Outgang Road where Tom Andrews’ 62 and Dave Sargeant’s 51 helped Deeping to 230 before the final wicket fell.

Rasen then reached 86 for four but collapsed to 88 all out, Lee Peacock taking five wickets.

Results

Market Deeping 230 (Andrews 62, Sergeant 51), Market Rasen 88 (Peacock 5-40);

Spalding 239-9 (Charlton 73, Smith 81), Bourne 139;

Bracebridge Heath 279-8 (Bentley 86, Houston 72), Louth 114 (Paul Cook took five catches);

Woodhall Spa 254-9 (Evison 100, Cheer 53, McIntosh 8-56), Sleaford 225 (Burford 62);

Lindum 247-6 (Wright 70), Grimsby 167-7 (Benson 5-56);

Billingborough 257-9 (S Scott 65), Skegness 258-4 (Epton 110no, Houghton 52).

	P	W	L	Draw	NR	Bat	Bowl	Win	Total
Bourne	15	7	1	5	2	50	48	70	213
Lindum	15	5	4	4	2	44	54	50	190
Bracebridge Heath	15	7	3	1	4	43	49	70	189
Market Deeping	15	7	3	3	2	38	48	70	181
Woodhall Spa	15	5	2	4	4	41	44	50	181
Louth	15	5	4	3	3	31	44	50	161
Spalding	15	4	4	5	2	47	41	40	161
Sleaford	15	4	5	4	2	48	45	40	159
Skegness	15	6	5	0	4	36	39	60	155
Grimsby	15	3	6	4	2	29	32	30	105
Billingborough	15	0	10	2	3	21	38	0	78
Market Rasen	15	0	6	3	6	7	26	0	70