Amazing Atapattu spell in vain as Spalding Town are soundly beaten by rivals Louth

It’s now four Lincs ECB Premier League defeats on the trot for Spalding Town after they suffered a 56-run home reverse against Louth on Saturday.

The visitors won the toss and opted to bat first, racking up a healthy 243-5 from their 50 overs as Remembrance Nyathi (87) and Richard Bell (56) both made half-centuries.

Spalding made a good fist of their reply, but too many players failed to capitalise on solid starts and they were all out for 187 in 49.3 overs.

In a game between two of the bottom four, Town would have wanted to make early inroads with the ball.

Nilantha Atapattu’s stellar spell of 1-10 in ten overs, which saw him bowl five maidens, was a highlight for them and he did strike to get opener Laurence Scott (9).

But Town otherwise struggled, with despite Josh Lawrence (1-52) getting rid of Louth skipper Samueal Jones (35) with the score on 51.

That’s because 52-2 became 166-2, with Bell and Nyathi striking up a 114-run stand for the third wicket.

It took a Matt Gill run out to end the stand, with Bell gone shortly after passing 50.

Barnaby Dring (1-18) then got rid of Graham West (5), but Louth moved past 200 with Nyathi leading the charge before eventually being bowled by Mitch Freeman (1-78) 13 runs shy of a century.

Andrew White (26 not out) and Jason Collinson (7 not out) then added late runs to leave Town needing 244 to win.

Town struggled for partnerships in reply, losing wickets at regular intervals throughout their chase.

The top three of Jon Manton (16), Freeman (13) and Ollie Dring (18) were all out after starting well, while Josh Lawrence (21) followed suite.

Ethan Lawrence (1) was the only member of the top seven out cheaply, with Raj Sangha (37) and Atapattu (14) also contributing nicely.

Likewise, Brandon Andrews (36) scored well down the order but Matt Gill (0) and Barnaby Dring (6) were out cheaply as Louth wrapped up their win.

Andrew White (3-33) and Stephen Kirkham (2-37) were the star men for Louth with the ball.

The five match points collected by Town wasn’t enough to stop Louth leapfrogging them in the table, with Chris Dring’s side now tenth.

Next up for Spalding is a trip to mid-table Lindum on Saturday (11.30am).