Century stand steers Spalding Town 2nd to derby delight

Ansar Hussain and teenage talent Paddy Harrington shared a 113 partnership to steer Spalding 2nd to a 74-run win over Moulton Harrox on Saturday.

A pivotal 95 from all-rounder Hussain proved the key for Town in the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division clash, but Harrington’s mature 37 also helped steer the hosts to 205 at the Memorial Field.

Opener Rob Noble (16) was the only other Spalding player to reach double figures, however, with extras (32) the third-highest contributor. Jack Barnett (6-37) was on red-hot form with the ball for Harrox, with Harry Barnett (2-58), Chris Page (1-23) and James Cornwell (1-33) backing him up to ensure five bowling points.

Moulton’s reply fell quite a way short of the 206 target, with only Tom Wilson (28) and Clive Bayston (26) managing decent scores.

Hussain (3-18) also starred with the ball for Town, while Jamie Juckes (2-35) and Jimmy Clarke (1-19) also did their bit in limiting the visitors to 131-6 in their 45 overs.

The 18-point haul moves Spalding away from the drop zone, while Harrox are now bottom despite collecting seven points.

Elsewhere in Division One, Long Sutton suffered a 36-run loss against Bourne 2nd at the Abbey Lawn.

Having won the toss, Sutton skipper Phil Barnes was probably pretty happy with his side after inserting the hosts and bowling them out for 154.

Rob Simpson (3-50), Barry Stanway (3-30), Jimmy Wright (2-31) and Dan Oldfield (1-13) grabbed the wickets, while Bourne legend David Christmas (47) top scored for the hosts.

However, Sutton were dismissed for just 118 in their reply as Josh Bentley (4-22) and Ben Woodward (4-29) did most of the damage. Mark Woodall (36) and Jack Keeble (23) offered some resistance for Sutton, but they were all out in the 42nd over.

Down in Division Two, Spalding 3rd were unlucky to suffer a 45-run loss at Graves Park.

Carl Lamming (4-35) starred with the ball for Town, but the hosts racked up 256-6 thanks to half-centuries from Martin Hodgson (54no) and Tim Howsam (51).

Skipper Jordan Butcher (82) and Harry De Camos (58) both excelled in Spalding’s reply, but they were all out for 211 in 36.1 overs as Jack Ashton snared 5-44.

Also in Division Two, Long Sutton 2nd lost by ten runs at Heckington. Danny Sisson (4-39) and Jimmy Harrison (3-37) limited the hosts to 145-9, but Sisson then top scored with 30 as Sutton managed just 135.