Big-hitting leaders Bracebridge Heath hand Spalding Town a heavy loss

The Lincs ECB Premier League table stayed true to itself on Saturday as leaders Bracebridge Heath put rock-bottom Spalding Town to the sword by a whopping 170 runs.

Having won the toss at Cross-O-Cliffe Court, Town skipper Rob Ambrose opted to field first on a day when heavy rain was expected – but could only watch on as Bracebridge cracked 249-4 in 48 overs before declaring.

Spalding were always going to struggle to chase the runs down, but will be disappointed to make just 79 in reply.

The defeat leaves Town nine points adrift at the bottom and 29 from safety ahead of Saturday’s home showdown with fellow strugglers Alford at Spalding Grammar School (noon).

County player Matt Lineker was the star of the Bracebridge innings.

He scored a sensational century, plundering 12 fours and five sixes in his 95-ball 128 before finally falling to all-rounder Faisal Javed (2-27).

Lineker and David Whapplington (34) put on 97 for the first wicket before the latter was clean bowled by Dan Millgate (1-54).

Kit Spence (16) and Lineker 37 more before veteran Roy Tilley (1-62) had him caught by Luke Hollingworth.

Lineker was the next man out with the score on 214, having shared a stand of 80 with the quick-scoring Matt Knights (42 off 47 balls).

There was still time for Vikram Atri (11 not out) and Knights to take the score to 249 before Javed had the latter stumped by Ambrose, triggering a declaration from Bracebridge skipper Brett Houston.

Town’s reply was in direct contrast, with only one player managing to make double figures.

It started well enough, with Javed (9) and Josh Newton (17) taking the score to 23 before the latter was dismissed by Andy Carter (3-15).

Alex Willerton (2-35) then dismissed Javed, before Carter snared Hollingworth (2) and Simon Juckes (1) to leave Town toiling on 43-4.

Defeat looked certain when Willerton bowled Jonathan Miles (7), before a trio of wickets from Knights (3-13) got rid of Millgate (9), Shoib Chaudhry (6) and Ambrose (6).

Matt Bradley (1-3) and Atri (1-0) then wrapped up the innings for 79 in the 28th over, collecting the full 20 points for their side in the process.

Town had to settle for one point, but won’t have realistically targeted many points from their trip to one of the league’s toughest venues.