The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
An incredible 158 not out from James Wright helped Long Sutton 2nd defeat Spalding Town 3rd on Saturday.
Opener Wright cracked 28 fours en-route to his mammoth century at Paradise Field, as his side romped to 298-4 in 45 overs of the South Lincs and Border League Division Two clash.
Wright shared a stunning stand of 223 with opening partner Jeremy Smith (89), before taking to the field to help his side skittle Spalding for 109 in reply.
Dhuv Vyas (5-19) was the pick of the Sutton bowlers, with only William Gardner (41) making any kind of score for Town.
Sutton bagged 20 points for the 189-run win, while Town claimed just three points.
Up in the Premier Division, Nilantha Atapattu was on fine form as Spalding Town kept their stellar winning run going.
Visitors Bourne 2nd won the toss and decided to bat first at Seas End Hall, but Town set about dismissing them for 147 in 43 overs.
Skipper Jono Howar (39) and Jamie Coles (53) both scored well for Bourne, but nobody was able to back them up as Spalding starred with the ball.
Atapattu (5-18) was on incredible form, while Will Naylor (3-30), Josh Lawrence (1-56) and Brandon Andrews (1-20) chipped in with the rest of the wickets.
In reply, Jon Manton (39), Atapattu (42) and Ethan Lawrence (22 not out) all played vital knocks to steer Spalding to a winning score of 153-6.
The 20-point haul keeps Town third in the table, one point off second and 26 shy of leaders Skegness with a game in hand.
The table-toppers were on winning form again on Saturday, having defeated Long Sutton by eight wickets.
Bowling first, Sutton were all out for a relatively meagre 105 in 30.5 overs. Indeed, all-rounder Barry Stanway top scored with a tally of just 17.
Spinner Rob Simpson picked up 2-42 in the Skeg reply, but they raced to 109-2 in 18.4 overs as Warren Nel made 34.
Sutton bagged only two points from the loss and remain sixth in the table.
In Division One, Moulton Harrox 2nd secured maximum points as they dispatched Ancaster by 74 runs at Broad Lane.
First team regulars Jack Barnett (90 not out) and Josh Newton (69) inspired Harrox’s total of 200-3 from 45 overs, before knocking over their visitors for 126.
Harry Lovell (2-36), Barnett (2-22), Curtis Todd (2-31) and Lee Eyett (2-6) took the wickets, as Harrox stay fourth in the standings.
Saturday fixtures: SLBL (1pm): Premier Division – Long Sutton v Sleaford 2nd; Moulton Harrox v Market Deeping 2nd; Spalding Town v Freiston L&L. Division One – Billingborough v Moulton Harrox 2nd; Boston 3rd v Spalding 2nd.
