Record-breaker Joyce to aid Spalding Town’s cause

Spalding Town have snapped up record-breaking all-rounder Mark Joyce as they bid to kick-start their Lincs ECB Premier League season.

New Zealand ace Joyce, who cracked a South Lincs and Border League record of 1,204 runs for Billingborough at an average of 75.25 back in 2010, will make his Town debut against Grantham on Saturday (noon).

The Kiwi ace can also bowl spin and is a former team-mate of Spalding skipper Ambrose during his time with Sleaford.

He’ll be available for around eight weeks while back in England.

It’s a timely boost for Town, who are bottom of the table having lost all four of their league games so far this season.

Ambrose said: “Mark set all sorts of records for Billingborough, he’s a very good player that I know well.

“We’re fortunate to have him for a short period of time while he’s back in the country. He knows the area well and I’m sure will be a good player for us.”

As well as having Joyce available for Saturday’s Spalding Grammar School showdown with league newboys Grantham, Town also welcome back in-form fast bowler Charlie Kearns and key man Tim Norris to their ranks.

Ambrose reckons that his side need as little as five wins this season to keep themselves in a league that he considers one of the most “unforgiving” in sport.

He added: “Grantham will be a strange one for us. A lot of people expected them to chuck a bit of money around and sign a host of new players. They’ve not really done that – and are probably feeling like we did in our first season at this level.

“They’ve got some good players, but it’s a game that – on paper – we should be aiming to win.

“That’s easier said than done, though. This Lincs ECB Premier League is as unforgiving a league as you’ll find. Every game is hard – sometimes you can’t see where your next win is coming from.

“Looking at it now, I think five wins would see us safe. I know that’s perhaps a negative view so early in the season, but you have to be realistic.

“I’m not panicking yet. June is a big month for us and we’ll see where we are after that.”