TON: Chris Dring. Photo by ROB MANTON

Teen stars Sawyer and Birch shine with impressive century stand in Spalding Town 3rd success

Spalding Town 3rd took the derby bragging rights as they beat rivals Long Sutton 2nd by seven wickets in South Lincs and Border League Division Two on Saturday.

Batting first at the Memorial Field, Sutton cracked 193-6 from their 45 overs as Andrew Wright top-scored on 74.

However, an opening partnership of 107 from 17-year-old Jack Sawyer and 13-year-old Harry Birch – who hit career-high scores of 64 and 64 not out respectively – steered Spalding to 197-3 in reply.

As well as Wright’s solid knock, Sutton were also boosted by Jeremy Smith (35) and Connie Gittins (25) at the top of the order.

But Town bowlers Tom Decamps (2-20), William Gardner (2-29), Sawyer (1-30) and Tim Bosco (1-24) kept the score under control and limited the visitors to less than 200.

In reply, the opening stand between teens Sawyer and Birch proved key. Charlie Crisp (2-38) did get rid of Sawyer, but Birch showed maturity beyond his years to carry his bat through to the end.

He was joined by Nigel Gardner (12), Eddie Seymour (7) and Ed Barnes (3 not out) along the way as Town 3rd collected 18 of the 20 points available.

Elsewhere, Spalding Town 2nd made a losing start in Division One despite a century from the in-form Chris Dring. His super 102, along with Ben Smith’s 50, steered Spalding to 226-4 at the Memorial Field.

However, Stamford Town made incredibly light work of their target – racing to 227-2 in just 31.1 overs.

Chris Bore blasted 69 and Steve Holland added 51 at the top of the order, but both fell to Michael Morris (2-58).

However, Liam Dave (73 not out) and Gary Peck (23 not out) eased the away side home.

In the same division, Pinchbeck lost by four wickets at Baston.

Mike Knight’s 46 was the only bright spot as Pinchbeck were bowled out for 69 in 27 overs.

Jamie Frost (3-17) and Knight (2-15) then impressed with the ball, but Baston reached 70-6 in 22.5 overs.

Saturday fixtures (1pm): Spalding 1st v Sutton 1st; Boston 3rd v Spalding 2nd; Pinchbeck 1st v Heckington 1st; Sutton 2nd v Uffington 1st; Skegness 2nd v Spalding 3rd.

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