The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Moulton Harrox lost ground on the South Lincs and Border Division One championship title race after being beaten by Belton Park on Saturday.
The difference between the teams was Belton batsman Harry Adams’s fine 110 not out which helped secure an eight wicket win that sent his side to the top of the league.
It came after Moulton had posted 180-9 in their 45 overs.
After Louis Greetham (2) fell early to Benjamin Park (1-19), Miles Kearns (19) and Lewis Peak (24) rebuilt.
Both though fell to Matthew Law (2-23).
Ansar Hussain top scored with 40 for Moulton and he was ably assisted by Jake Morton, who scored 14 before being run out, and Matthew Barnett (34).
But Hussain and Barnett were two of the three wickets to fall to Gavin Clarke (3-28).
Wickets continued to fall as Moulton looked to up the score with Daniel Reynolds (2-46) causing issues for the tail.
Nohman Jarral (14) and number 11 Carl Lamming (7 not out) helped them to 180 for 9.
It proved to not be enough thanks to Adams’s brilliant knock.
That’s despite Moulton’s brilliant start to the reply as opener Michael Gilbert was caught by Hussain for a duck off the bowling of Alex Baker (1-21).
Adams steadied things alongside Richard Cocks.
Although the latter was bowled by Hussain for 22, it proved to be the last glint of hope for Moulton.
Daniel Reynolds (29 not out) provided further backing for the dominant Adams as Belton easily reached the target in the 39th over.
It’s a victory that lifted them above Market Deeping 2nd and two points ahead of second placed Baston at the top of a crowded table.
Moulton had been just 16 points behind Belton at the start of play but now find themselves 30 points behind.
p Moulton Harrox’s Sunday side moved second in the Rutland League Division Four East and two within two points of leaders Orton Park thanks to victory over Wisbech Town 2nd.
A fine 89 not out from Steven Rushworth proved the catalyst for Moulton to take the win.
He came in with Moulton 29-2 having lost Mike Kearns Snr (11) and Louis Greeetham (6) both bowled by George Gowler (2-39).
Rushworth batted through the rest of the innings hitting 16 fours in his 117 ball knock.
Jake Morton (39) led the recovery with a partnership of 91 with Rushworth.
Andrew Pym’s quicker than a run a ball 38 aided a further 79 run partnership before 21 not out from 14 balls at the end by Alin Carter saw Moulton to 234 for 5 from the 45 overs.
Carter was straight back in the action bowling Wisbech opener Lewis Jackson for 2, but a partnership of 89 from Thomas Dunning (29) and Jason Esser gave the visitors to Harrox Playing Field the initiative.
Just after Esser had reached his half century, the impressive Darren Hibbert (4-59) and Jake Morton (2-64) sparked a mini-collapse as Wisbech lost four wicket for three runs to leave them 99-5.
Esser continued on finding an able partner in Kieran Hallatt (10) who got the score up to 136.
Both fell, Esser for 74 bowled by Carter who finished with 3-39.
Thanks to some economical bowling including 0-13 from seven by Alex Baker, Wisbech were way behind the required rate.
The tail wagged including number 10 Joe Dunning’s 38 taking his side past 200 in just 32 balls, but
Moulton were already in control and Wisbech were eventually all out for 212 in the 44th over.
They host the only team above them, Orton Park, this Sunday.
