Solid Long Sutton stroll to seven-wicket success at Claypole to stay in title hunt

Long Sutton kept themselves firmly in the South Lincs and Border League Division One title race with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Claypole on Saturday.

Having lost the toss, Sutton were forced to field first – but they wasted little time getting stuck into the home line-up.

Indeed, Claypole were left toiling on 50-6 after losing Matt Ragless (6), Dan Sullivan (6), Alex Ireland (0), Kevin Jaques (0), Alex Wharmby (4) and Rob Peeling (2).

Those wickets were shared between Dan Oldfield (2-18) and Barry Stanway (4-43) and exposed the tail.

Opener Chris Wharmby (30) survived the carnage until Rob Simpson (3-26) struck with the score on 65, while number eight Martin Cragg (35) did his bit to at least take Claypole into three figures.

He was eventually bowled by Steve Milnes (1-16), with Simpson getting tail-enders John North (13) and Glynn Willis (0) to wrap up the innings for 111 in the 28th over.

In reply, Long Sutton never looked like making a mess of their modest run chase. Jamie Taylor (38) and Adam Wright (22) put on 59 for the first wicket before the latter was dismissed by Kristian Lennon (1-21).

Taylor was then bowled by Alex Wharmby with the score on 86, before Chris Wharmby clean bowled Jordan Keeble (3).

However, Oldfield (22 not out from 21 balls) and Aaron John (9 not out) held their nerve as Sutton reached 113-3 in 22.5 overs to claim maximum points.

• Spalding 2nd fell 62 runs shy of their target as Woodhall Spa 2nd beat them in South Lincs and Border League Premier Division on Saturday.

Matt Hodgkin (76) and Sam Cherry top scored as visitors Spa cracked 271-6 from their 45 overs at the Memorial Field.

Town spread the wickets out, with Julian Wilson (2-68), Brandon Andrews (1-26), Jonah Gill (1-27) and Alex Want (1-35) all getting in on the act.

In reply, the youthful Spalding side did superbly well to reach 209 before being bowled out.

Skipper Matt Gill lead from the front with a super 61, while Andrews (47) and Will Barnes (37) both batted well. However, 4-30 from Peter Jackson and 2-38 from Tom Caswell got Spa over the line and the loss leaves Spalding in the bottom two.