The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Long Sutton slipped further adrift of the top trio in the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division after suffering a five-wicket defeat at Woodhall Spa 2nd on Saturday.
Hosts Spa won the toss and elected to field at Jubilee Park, bowling Sutton out for a modest 129 in one ball shy of 40 overs.
An unbeaten 46 from Danny Wells then steered the home side to 130-5 in reply, despite the best efforts of spinner Jake Burton (2-39).
Sutton took just four points from the game, leaving them down in sixth position and some 34 points off the top three.
Sutton openers Adam Wright (17) and Calvin Bird (10) both got starts, but were removed by Sam Cherry (4-23) before they could do any more damage.
That man Cherry also bagged Dan Oldfield for a duck, while Kieran Richardson (4-46) removed Paul Edgeller (8) to put Spa very much in command.
Not done there, the impressive Richardson blew away Dom Clay (0), Dan Plant (0) and Adam Whitaker (7) in a great spell.
Angus Bell (23) did offer some resistance before being pinned LBW by Cherry – and he wasn’t alone.
Skipper Burton (21) and number ten Charlie Crisp (31) added valuable runs at the end of the innings before the latter was run out.
Sutton are never a side to throw in the towel and they duly started with plenty of endeavour.
Oldfield (1-17) struck nice and early to have Miles Galbraith (2) caught behind.
That was soon followed up by Barry Stanway (1-22), who had Thomas Thornalley (8) out exactly the same way and Burton then snared Simon Behan (2).
Opener Cherry (26) saw the wickets fall around him, but he soon followed with Burton again the man to take the scalp.
That brought Wells to the crease, though, and he guided his side to glory in impressive fashion.
Batting with Richardson (18) and then Chris Lee (10 not out), he was just four runs shy of a half-century when the target was reached in the 35th over.
Long Sutton are now without a fixture until August 13, when they make the trip to leaders Grantham (1pm).
