The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Skipper Rob Ambrose is adamant that Spalding Town are gunning for South Lincs and Border League Premier Division glory this season.
Relegated from the Lincs ECB Premier League last season, Town will attempt to get their campaign under way at Woodhall Spa 2nd on Saturday (1pm).
Last weekend’s tricky trip to Bourne 2nd was rained off, meaning Ambrose’s side have eight points on the board. He’s hoping that they are the first of many, with an instant return to Lincolnshire’s top tier the only aim this season.
“We are in it to win it,” said the veteran skipper. “We’ve certainly got enough quality here to go back up.
“If I didn’t think we were capable of winning the league, I wouldn’t have stayed on as captain. It’s as simple as that.
“Spa will be a tough game. I think a few of their players have moved up to the first team, but they are still a good club with strong players.
“We’ve got everyone available and we’ll go there to win. That’s the aim.”
- Long Sutton 1st also get their SLBL Premier Division campaign under way on Saturday as they play host to Sleaford 2nd at Paradise Field (1pm).
It looks like being a tough test for Sutton, with Sleaford finishing as runners-up to promoted champions Boston last time around.
Sutton have raided South Holland rivals Moulton Harrox to add all-rounder Joe Broomfield to their ranks.
He took three wickets and made 15 runs in Sutton’s 88-run defeat against March in their sole pre-season clash.
- A SLBL Division Two cracker is in prospect on Saturday as two of last season’s top four square off in an exciting opener.
Pinchbeck, who impressed en-route to finishing fourth last term, meet Claypole (third in 2015) at Spalding Grammar School (1pm) in what is the first game of the campaign for both sides.
- Spalding 3rd will again try to get their SLBL Division Two season up and running on Saturday when they welcome Grantham 4th to the Memorial Field (1pm).
Town’s third string saw their opener at Long Sutton 2nd washed out by the rain last Saturday. Both sides were given eight points.
- Long Sutton Sunday 2nd suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Uffington 2nd in Rutland League Division Six on Sunday.
Skipper Phil Coote made 35 and number four Michael Nurse added 34 as visitors Sutton were bowled out for 131 in 44.3 overs, with Ivan Wilson taking 5-15.
Ajay Jinah, Steven Milnes and C John all took a wicket apiece for Sutton in the home reply, but Wilson’s unbeaten 66 steered them to 132-3 in the 35th over.
This Sunday sees Long Sutton 1st host Burghley Park (1pm) in Division Three, while Sutton 2nd visit Moulton Harrox in Division Six (1pm).
Also in Division Six, Spalding Sunday 1st host Uffington 2nd (1pm) at the Memorial Field.
