Battling Pinchbeck edge to victory in tight derby against Spalding Town 3rd

Pinchbeck climbed back into the top four of South Lincs and Border League Division Two with a hard-fought derby win over Spalding 3rd on Saturday.

Having limited Town’s youthful 3rd team to 151-7 batting first at the Memorial Field, Pinchbeck (152-8) got over the line in the 43rd over with just two wickets to spare.

Pinchbeck won the toss and elected to field first – a decision skipper Danny Jackson was probably delighted with when his side reduced their hosts to 22-4.

Andrew Beeston (3-18) trapped openers Jordan Butcher (1) and Richard Gilbert (5) LBW, while James Langford (2-24) got rid of Ben Edwards (5) and Edward Lanning (11).

Beeston then had Eddie Seymour (11) caught to reduce Town to 34-5, before Jackson had Brandon Andrews caught and bowled for 16.

But a 77-run partnership from Chris Green (44 not out) and Carl Andrews (46) – who eventually fell to Nick Crook (1-27) – steered Spalding to 151-7 from their 45 overs.

Pinchbeck’s reply reached 30 before Max Foster (8) was bowled by Andrews (3-40). Glen Hammond (0) then suffered the same fate courtesy of Carl Lamming (1-16), but Crook (42) and Langford (31) enjoyed a 54 partnership to steer Pinchbeck to 100.

Gilbert’s (1-13) dismissal of Crook then triggered something of a collapse, with Langford run out and Alex Cole (2) and Beeston (5) both falling to Eddie Seymour (2-17) to leave Pinchbeck rocking on 120-6.

Skipper Jackson (26 not out) attempted to steady the ship, but Andrews returned to remove Richard Day (1) and Mike Knight (9).

Town 3rd now sensed victory, but Jackson – who hit three fours – steered his side home with two overs and two wickets in hand.