Spalding Town can take positives despite suffering Spa loss

Spalding Town 1st (218-5) lost to Woodhall Spa (220-6) by 4 wickets

An unbeaten 102 from Ricky Lovelace condemned Spalding Town to a four-wicket defeat in their Lincs ECB Premier League opener against Woodhall Spa on Saturday.

Lovelace, who has featured for Holbeach United FC as a goalkeeper this season, helped Spa topple Town’s solid tally of 218-5 with nine balls to spare at Spalding Grammar School.

Despite the defeat, Rob Ambrose and his new-look side picked up six points (four bowling, two batting) and were buoyed by an impressive debut from Aussie all-rounder Dan Millgate (44 not out and 2-72).

Visitors Spa won the toss and decided to give Town first use of their own track.

It initially looked a bad decision, as Tim Norris (37) and talisman Warren Nel (48) put on 80 for the first wicket.

Malinga Bandara (2-59) broke that partnership by bowling Norris, before Josh Newton (7) went cheaply.

Bandara then snared Nel just shy of his half century to leave Spalding struggling on 97-3, but new signing Luke Hollingworth (27) and Ben Smith (43) ensured there was no collapse.

Smith, who hit six fours and a maximum, then enjoyed an 81 stand with Millgate (four fours and two sixes) before being cleaned up from the final ball of the innings.

Charlie Kearns (2-62), Millgate and Jack Barratt (1-37) all took wickets to leave Spa struggling on 87-5 in their reply, but Lovelace saved the day with his terrific ton.

He slapped 12 fours and two sixes in his magnificent 99-ball innings – and although Roy Tilley’s (1-25) first Town wicket got rid of Jack Timby (32), Ross Dixon (29) joined Lovelace to see title-chasing Woodhall over the line in the 49th over.

This Saturday offers another tough test to Spalding’s early-season credentials, as they visit perennial title challengers Bracebridge Heath (noon).

• Saturday’s Lincs ECB Premier League fixtures (noon): Bracebridge Heath v Spalding; Lindum v Louth; Sleaford v Bourne; Skegness v Market Deeping; Grimsby v Grantham; Woodhall Spa v Market Rasen.
• Saturday’s results: Bracebridge Heath 304-4 (Cook 82, John 65, Houston 103), Louth 126 (M Carter 5-20); Sleaford 265-6 (Macintosh 148no, Morris 72), Market Deeping 114; Grantham 180-9, Skegness 141-9 (Young 50); Lindum 182 (Wright 50), Bourne 184-2 (Louth 58, R Bentley 73); Spalding 218-5, Woodhall Spa 220-6 (Lovelace 102no); Grantham 180-9, Skegness 141-9 (Young 50); Grimsby 102, Market Rasen 103-5.