The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Moulton Harrox got their South Lincs and Border League Premier Division season off to a flier as they beat Market Deeping 2nd by five wickets on Saturday.
Having won the toss, hosts Harrox put Deeping into bat at Broad Lane and bowled them out for 173 in 43 overs – with Jack Barnett taking fine figures of 6-28.
In reply, Moulton opener Matthew Barnett starred with a superb 79 as they reached their target in just 30 overs with five wickets in hand.
Batting first Anthony Graves (48) and skipper Dave Gillett (34) impressed for Deeping as they set a challenging total.
But they found Jack Barnett in destructive form and, with Matt Rose (2-24), Travis Harrison (1-29) and Ian Smith (1-20) also chipping in, Harrox were in command.
The home side scored rapidly in reply, with Matthew Barnett on stellar form until he was bowled by Josh Codd (1-13).
Ian Smith (30), skipper Chris Beale (15) and Jake Morton (14 not out) also chipped in to clinch all 20 points for their side.
Elsewhere in the top flight, Long Sutton suffered a 44-run defeat at Bourne 2nd to make it two defeats from as many games.
Despite fine figures of 5-33 from spinner Jake Burton, Bourne raced to 223-9 from their 45 overs after opting to bat first.
Sutton offered valiant resistance in reply as Paul Edgeller’s 58 helped them to 179 all out in 39.2 overs.
Kurt Storey (76 not out) and Ben Woodward (61) were the stars for hosts Bourne at the Abbey Lawn.
Their impressive innings’ helped them recover from a slow start that saw skipper Jon Howard bowled by Barry Stanway for a duck.
For Sutton, Burton (25 not out), Josh Baker (20) and Tim Norris (20) scored handily alongside half-centurian Edgeller.
In Division One, it was a bit of day to forget for Moulton Harrox 2nd as they were skittled out for just 35 at Baston.
Chasing 136-8 after Harry Lovell (3-31) and Stephen Coles (2-26) impressed with the ball, Moulton laboured for 25.2 overs with only Lovell (15) reaching double figures.
Andy Burrill (5-8) was the pick of the Baston bowlers.
A day later, Spalding 2nd suffered a three-wicket defeat against Heckington 2nd at the Memorial Field.
After his duck for the first team 24 hours earlier, Aussie ace Mitch Freeman starred with 102 as his side made 225 batting first.
Despite Barnaby Dring (4-54) taking with the ball, Heckington made 226-7 in reply as Samuel Elliott (54 not out) impressed.
In Division Two, Long Sutton 2nd beat Orton Park 3rd by 34 runs.
Batting first, Sutton made 175 in 34.4 overs at Paradise Field before bowling out Orton Park for 141.
Spalding 3rd (99) lost by seven wickets against Belton Park (100-3) in the same division. Will Gardner (38) was their star performer while Ben Sacker took 2-12.
Selected fixtures (Sat, 1pm): Premier Division – Long Sutton 1st v Moulton Harrox 1st.
Division One – Moulton Harrox 2nd v Boston 2nd; Spalding 2nd v Ancaster (at Seas End Hall).
Division Two – Castor 2nd v Long Sutton 2nd; Freiston 2nd v Spalding Town 3rd (Sun).
