The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Long Sutton extended their lead at the top of the South Lincs and Border League after seeing off the challenge of Moulton Harrox and Josh Newton.
He hit a fine 106 after Sutton skipper Jake Burton put them into bat on winning the toss.
Newton particularly enjoyed himself in a big partnership with opener Matthew Barnett (62).
However the only other notable score for Moulton was a 21 from Chris Beale as the visitors to Paradise Field were restricted to 245 for 8.
Burton claimed 3 for 19 from his nine overs and Baker 3 for 67.
There was also wickets for Paul Edgeller (1 for 39) and Ricky Brown (1 for 45).
In the reply Moulton’s Matthew Rose (2 for 34) grabbed the wickets of Nathan Oliver (10) and Jacob Gray (19) as Sutton were reduced to 44 for 2. Dan Oldfield hit 34 from 28 balls before he was trapped LBW by Lee Eyett (2 for 34) and the game was in the balance at 89 for 3.
It was turned Sutton’s way by Tim Norris (72) and Edgeller (62) who put on 103 for the fourth wicket.
It allowed Sutton to seal a four wicket win with just over four overs in hand, Barry Stanway finishing 15 not out from 11 and Josh Baker 5 not out.
They claimed 19 points and extended their lead over second placed Skegness to 14 points after they conceded their game against Woodhall Spa 2nd XI 21.2 overs in, angry at the opposition having reportedly played 1st XI players. Skegness had already ousted the former Sri Lankan test match player Prasanna Jaywardene (36) with Woodhall 102 for 2.
In a top of the table clash, Long Sutton’s Sunday side just lost out to second placed Ufford Park in a closely fought game.
Sutton decided to bat first and had a horrible start losing both openers Charlie Crisp and Mackenzie East to ducks while numbers three Jacob Gray and five Jack Baker also struggled.
But James Hook was in fine form and together with Josh Baker was able to revive the innings and give the visitors’ bowlers something to bowl at in the chase. Hook hit 78 and Baker 64 before Calvin Bird hit a fine 34 not out to see Sutton to 206.
They were the only players to reach double figures as Sutton were all out in the 43rd over.
Sutton then chipped away at Ufford’s innings with Baker (1 for 37) striking early.
Hook (2 for 40), Gray (2 for 32), Crisp (1 for 27) and Bird (1 for 36) all took wickets while opener Matt Smith (48) and Muhammed Rizwan (44) kept Ufford up with the rate.
Number nine Zahid Nadeem (14 not out) and 10 Alex Mears (3 not out) though guided Ufford home for a two -wicket win in the 41st over.
The eight points Sutton picked up ensured they remain 38 points above second placed Ufford with Werrington nine points further back but with a game in hand.
It was a more comprehensive victory for Ufford in the corresponding fixtures between both sides’ 2nd XIs in Division Four East.
Ufford batted first and posted 165 all out in the 39th over, Dan Peeroo scoring 61 for them.
The wickets were shared around with Ajay Jina taking 2 for 10, Rob Simpson 2 for 23, Andy Shaw 2 for 30, Steven Milnes 1 for 28 and Faz Mukhtar 1 for 31.
Sutton suffered a horrendous start with four of their top five being out without scoring a run between them.
Simpson (52) provided resistance, joined with stubborn knocks from the lower order, but they were eventually 116 all out in the 29th over falling to a 49-run defeat.
