Dan’s amazing 7-57 in vain as Spalding Town are beaten again

Dan Milgate’s spectacular bowling figures of  7-57 couldn’t prevent Spalding Town from suffering a 64-run defeat at Louth in the Lincs ECB Premier League on Saturday.

The loss sees Spalding remain bottom of the table, but they did at least collect seven bonus points – having bowled their hosts out for 225 in the final over of their innings.

There was no major contributor in Louth’s solid tally, with Graham West (34) top scoring down the order. However, all but two of the line-up managed double figures as Nic Keast (33), Matt Hamilton (28), Tom Corden (23) and Henry Tye (23) all chipped in well.

Town – who were missing front-line bowlers Charlie Kearns and Herny Charlton – did have the hosts toiling at 131-6, with Milgate the chief destroyer. The Aussie all-rounder recorded the best bowling figures anywhere in the league on Saturday, while Jack Barratt (2-53) and Jimmy Hook (1-17) also pitched in with wickets.

In reply, Spalding lost wickets at regular intervals. Skipper Rob Ambrose (14) and fellow opener Warren Nel (34) started well at the top of the order, while Milgate (27) also chipped in nicely later on. But nobody was able to hang around and anchor the innings, with Josh Newton (19), Luke Hollingworth (16) and Ben Smith (15) all falling cheaply after getting themselves in.

Teenage talent Hook (10no) was left stranded at the end as Town were finally bowled out for 161 in the 46th over.

The defeat leaves Ambrose’s side 17 points adrift at the foot of the table.

Results

Lincs ECB Premier League: Sleaford 333-6 (Shorthouse 68, McIntosh 161no), Grantham 267-7 (Bansal 83, Nurse 83no); Skegness 227-9 (Epton 57, Young 73, Rutherford 5-64), Market Rasen 105; Bourne 183 (Bradley 5-48), Bracebridge Heath 184-3 (Atri 65); Lindum 159-9, Market Deeping 114 (Sneddon 5-58); Woodhall Spa 277-8 (Luffman 70, Bandara 79), Grimsby 158 (Crossley 72); Louth 225 (Milgate 7-67), Spalding 161.

South Lincs & Border League

Premier Division: Woodhall Spa 2nd 260-8 (Timby 94, Bee 52, Dixon 56), Moulton Harrox 64 (Parsons 7-30); Boston 319-5 (Vella 133, Croom 101), Lindum Ramblers 85; Sleaford 2nd 269-9 (Sneath 75, Puri 69), Spalding 2nd 140; Stamford Town 152, Long Sutton 95; Bourne 2nd 228-6 (Howard 91, Dunn 58), Belton Park 133 (Pollard 61, Pottle 5-20); Billingborough 221-7 (Griffiths 60), Grantham 2nd 127 (George 6-43).

Division One: Grantham 3rd 81 (Bell 7-22), Boston 2nd 82-2; Heckington 103, Cavaliers 105-3 (Dale 53no); Welby 106, Freiston 109-6; Skegness 2nd 397-2 (Harris 115, Hewitt 130), Billingborough 2nd 122-7 (Gedney 58 Richardson 5 wkts).

Division Two: Boston 3rd 220-7 (Grant 100), Burgh & District 63; Belton Park 2nd 253-5 (O’Shea-Pilkington 65), Grantham 4th 177-6 (Robinson 87); Graves Park 254 (Ashton 143), Timberland 257-6 (Orrey 108no);  Claypole 166, Baston 138 (Wharmby 5-34, Barnsdale 5-18).