The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A super century from Tim Norris fired Spalding Town 2nd 39 points clear at the top of South Lincs and Border League Division One on Saturday as they dispatched Baston by 57 runs.
Opener Norris made 107 in Town’s 230-6 at the Memorial Field, with Hafiz Majeed adding 45 and Matt Gill also chipping in with 34.
Liam Davies (55) and James Tickler (43) scored well in Baston’s reply, which closed on 173-8 to leave Spalding a little frustrated that they couldn’t take maximum bowling points.
Still, Majeed (4-17), Jamie Juckes (3-48) and Matt Sharpe (1-36) all took wickets to give Town a healthy 19-point haul.
They’ve now won all eight of the games they’ve contested this season, with the other two abandoned.
Town skipper Mike Kearns said: “This goes to show that there are no easy pushover games in this league.
“We have got ourselves in a good position at the top of the table but we need to continue to work hard for each other if we are going to win promotion.”
Spalding won the toss and elected to bat, only for opener Rob Noble to be out for a duck early doors.
Fellow Spalding opener Norris then began to build a solid foundation for the home team with the able assistance of flamboyant knocks from Steven Rushworth (17), Gill, Josh Lawrence (19) and Majeed.
Norris eventually fell in the last over, caught in the deep for 107 off the bowling of Davies (3-43).
But his innings helped set a very testing target for a Baston side that were promoted last season.
In reply Baston proved difficult to dislodge and, at 102-1 off 22 overs, the game looked evenly poised.
However, the introduction of Juckes turned the game as he had Baston danger men, Tickler and Davies caught.
Pakistani paceman Majeed then joined in with a super 12-over spell to ensure the away side fell short of their target.
This Saturday sees Town 2nd host second-placed Freiston in what promises to be a cracker at the Memorial Field (1.30pm).
