The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
An unbeaten 54 from skipper Chris Beale guided Moulton Harrox to a seven-wicket victory over Sleaford 2nd in South Lincs and Border League Premier Division on Saturday.
Visitors Sleaford chose to bat first at Broad Lane after winning the toss, but could only manage a lesiurely 110-6 from their 45 overs.
Hosts Harrox were in much more of a hurry and cruised to 113-3 in just 20.1 overs in reply, with Beale carrying his bat in true captain’s style.
Harrox started well with the ball and Travis Harrison (2-18) struck early to get rid of Rhys Collings for a duck.
Skipper Neill Henderson (1) soon followed as Matt Rose (1-27) pinned him LBW, but Tom Sanders (24) and Phil Sneath (42 not out) slowly rebuilt.
Jack Barnett (2-13) eventually bowled Sanders and the wickets started to tumble, with Thuva Murali (1-20) also getting in on the act as Sleaford plodded to a low tally of 110-6.
Harrox lost Matthew Barnett (10) and Josh Newton (0) early in their reply as both fell to the lively Dylan Chessum (2-13).
But Beale held his nerve, scoring 54 from just 65 balls – including ten fours – as he batted with Rose (15) and then Henry Lavery (10 not out) to ease his side home with 25 overs to spare.
With 18 points secured, Harrox climb off the bottom and are now tenth ahead of Saturday’s game at Bourne 2nd (1pm).
Also winning well were Moulton Harrox 2nd in Division One.
Half-centuries from Tom Wilson (87) and Stephen Coles (64), plus a handy 35 from Jamie Juckes steered them to a very handy 220-5 from their 45 overs at Orton Park 2nd after being put into bat.
Coles (3-51), Danny Jackson (3-50) and Harry Lovell (3-28) then shone with the ball as the home side managed 192 in reply.
Now second in the table, Moulton host Billingborough 2nd on Saturday (1pm).
- It was another tough day for Spalding Town’s two teams in the South Lincs and Border League on Saturday.
Both Spalding’s 2nd and 3rd teams suffered heavy defeats, meaning both remain without a league win this season.
In Division One, Spalding 2nd remain bottom after a seven-wicket defeat at Baston.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first at The Shrine, Town endured a torrid time.
Only skipper Michael Morris (14) managed double figures as they were skittled out for 59 in 31.2 overs.
John Lamin (4-15) and Andy Burrill (3-9) did the business for Baston – but they also had a wobble in reply.
Harry Birch bowled Andrew Keen (7), George Morris ran out James Roffe for a duck and Tom DeCamps got rid of Ben Ashwell (11).
However, they steadied the ship and cruised to 60-3 in 17.4 overs to hand Town a seventh loss so far.
In Division Two, Spalding 3rd suffered a sixth successive loss as hosts Orton Park 3rd beat them by 149 runs.
Batting first, Park made good use of the track and posted a confident 210-6 from their 45 overs.
That always looked like a tall order for Spalding to chase down and they duly fell short, bowled out for just 61 in 28 overs.
Still, Spalding took three points from the game and remain second-from-bottom in the standings.
This Saturday sees Town 2nd welcome rivals Boston 2nd to Seas End Hall, while the 3rd team are without a fixture.
