First victory of the season for delighted Spalding Town 3rd with derby win over rivals Boston

After losing their first six games of the South Lincs and Border League Division Two season, Spalding Town 3rd finally got an elusive maiden victory on Saturday.

After winning the toss and chosing to bat first at Seas End Hall, Town’s third string made 138-9 against Boston 3rd with Yuvraj Ranaut top scoring on 42.

The visitors then crumbled to 103 all out in reply, with Ben Sacker (4-25) and Robert Seymour (4-16) grabbing four wickets apiece.

Although Spalding lost skipper Nigel Gardner (4) early only, they made a decent start with the bat.

Ranaut and Will Gardner (35) put on 67 for the second wicket, with both scoring three boundaries in a watchful partnership.

However, as is often the case, the departure of Gardner – bowled by Damian Lawson (3-31) – triggered a small collapse.

Matt Gill (1) also fell to Lawson, while Joseph Watson (3) was out to Finlay Barnes (3-32) to leave Town on 84-4, having been 74-1.

Sacker (25) joined Ranaut and the duo added 43 for the fifth wicket as Town moved onto 127-4 before Sacker was cleaned up by Barnes.

Once again, the end of that stand signalled a wicket rush as Town lost four for just eight runs.

They were Neo Timothy (1), Dan Mulley (0), Seymour (2) and, finally, Ranaut just eight shy of his half-century.

However, their score of 138-9 looked challenging given the changeable weather conditions.

In reply, Boston got to 30 without loss before Sacker struck twice to get rid of Lawson (20) and Boston’s number three (0).

Opener Barnes was also out for ten as Dan Mulley (1-18) grabbed his only wicket, which was caught and bowled.

It was Seymour’s time to shine next, as he trapped Ben Newton LB for 17 and dismissed Barney Mountain (3) cheaply.

With Boston struggling to amass any kind of score, the wickets kept on tumbling as Alfie Waite (0), Connor Stephens (0) and skipper Ian Morris (3) all went cheaply.

Richard Early (0) was the last man out as Sacker struck again, leaving the away side stranded on 103 from 37 overs – some 35 shy of Spalding 3rd.

The win, which gives Spalding 3rd 17 much-needed points, sees them climb up to seventh.

This Saturday sees Spalding make the short trip to Paradise Field as they take on Long Sutton 2nd (1pm).

High-flying Sutton sit top of the standings.