Spalding Town tame rivals as stellar start to the season continues

Spalding Town continued their red-hot start to the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division season with a big 171-run win over Billingborough on Saturday.

Half-centuries from Jonathan Miles (63) and skipper Josh Newton (51) steered Spalding to 216 all out in 44 overs at Billingborough, before Julian Wilson’s 6-25 knocked over the hosts for just 45.

The win leaves second-placed Town just eight points behind leaders Skegness, with a game in hand.

Batting first, Spalding’s score owed much to the efforts of three players.

They lost Jon Manton (7) to the dangerous Harry Lamb (5-29) early on, but fellow opener Joe Broomfield made a solid 34 to help build the foundations for a solid innings.

Broomfield and Warren Nel (3) both fell to Lamb too, but that brought Newton and Miles together.

The pair both passed 50 in what proved to be key knocks, before Newton was pouched by Jed Humphries off the bowling of Mark Pilgrim (2-28).

He struck again to get rid of Rob Ambrose (1) caught and bowled, before Jordan Baxter (1-8) clean bowled Jordan Butcher for a duck.

In truth, the tail didn’t really contribute all that well as Brandon Andrews (9), Josh Lawrence (6) and Jack Barratt (6) struggled to add to the tally.

Miles was dismissed by Oliver Chessum (2-47) for a team high 63, leaving Town with a solid 216 to defend.

As it turned out, that total was more than enough for a comfortable victory.

No Billingborough player was able to make double figures as Spalding skittled them out in 20 overs.

Wilson took the plaudits with six wickets, including five that were clean bowled, while Miles adding to his top batting display with 3-9.

Brandon Andrews (1-9) also chipped in by bowling opener Euan Boswell for a duck at the top of the innings.

Spalding are on the road again this Saturday when they visit Welby Cavaliers (1pm).

• Spalding Town 2nd got their South Lincs and Border League Division One season off to a winning start at the Memorial Field on Saturday.

Harry DeCamps took fine figures of 3-2 to help bowl Timberlands out for just 83.

Ethan Lawrence (28 not out) and Ben Smith (20) then top scored to wrap up an eight wicket victory for Matt Gill’s side, who reached 86-2 in just 18 overs.

Town’s second string always looked in command of their season opener, taking wickets at regular intervals.

Jonah Gill (2-9) struck early to get rid of both Ben Plant (1) and Nick Riddington (0), while Matt Gill ran out Martin Machin for just four. Ajay Nath (1-23) had Carl Wall caught and bowled for two as well, while Scott McPherson (2-23) dismissed two of Timberlands’ top scorers.

Opener Simon Behan made 21 before being caught and bowled, while number seven Steven Eurich went for 14.

DeCamps then got in on the act, clean bowling Adrian Shaw for 25 before getting rid of two tail-enders for ducks.

Jamie Juckes (1-21) was the other wicket taker after bowling away skipper Sam Freeman for a duck.

That left Town needing 84 for a victory that never looked in doubt despite the departure of Peter Cook for just two early on.

Smith’s solid 20 steadied the ship, before William Barnes (17 not out) and Lawrences’ unbeaten effort – which included five fours – got them over the line.

Spalding 2nd host Heckington at the Memorial Field this Saturday (1pm).