“Terrible” Town show slammed by skipper

Spalding Town (160-8) lost to Skegness (161-4) by six wickets

TOUGH AT THE TOP: Warren Nel is given a working over by Skegness on Saturday. Photo (NIKKI GRIFFIN): VNG310514-41

Fuming Spalding Town skipper branded his side “terrible” after witnessing Saturday’s six-wicket defeat to Skegness on Saturday.

Town were restricted to just 160-8 having lost the toss at Spalding Grammar School – and they were lucky to get that.

A monstrous 85 from just 75 by Pete Houghton then steered the visitors to 161-4 in reply, sentencing Spalding to a place in the bottom five.

Having dreamed of a place in the top six after an encouraging start to the season, Ambrose told The Voice that his charges are now a long way off those kind of heights.

“We were absolutely terrible,” bemoaned the Spalding skipper, who top scored with 30. “A top half finish seems a long, long way away.

“I felt really let down and I let the lads know about it during and after the match.

“It was a very disappointing all-round display – but I’m hoping it could be the kick up the backside we need.

“Obviously it had been raining all week and the pitch was wet. Groundsmen across the county won’t have really seen the pitch until Friday.

“So to lose the toss was a blow. We lost our big guns cheaply and 160 was a rescue job really after the lower order scratched around for some runs.

“It was a bit of a bowlers’ paradise out there and we didn’t really utilise that at any stage of their reply.

“Peter Houghton didn’t hang around and basically put the game beyond us very early on.

“We’ve bowled very well this season, but Saturday wasn’t good enough.”

Although the sun was out on Saturday, the nature of the outfield and wicket made the toss critical. Once Ambrose and Town lost it, they were always up against it.

And so it proved, with the hosts finding themselves in dire straits at 64-6.

That’s because Thivanka Rajaratne (16), Warren Nel (8), Josh Newton (9), Chris Dring (10), Tim Norris (0) and Charlie Kearns (7) were all dismissed cheaply.

A stubborn 57 partnership from Ambrose (30) and Wamanga Perera (22) rescued the hosts somewhat, before the Spalding skipper had his stumps shattered by Umar Farooq (1-31).

Nuwan Jayasena (17no) and Jack Barratt (13no) did add vital runs down the order, but 160 was always going to be a tough target to defend.
It became even harder when opener Houghton teed-off on some buffet bowling.

Smashing anything that pitched in the slot, he powered Skegness to victory – hitting ten fours and five sixes along the way.

Jayasena (2-32) did collect the wickets of Scott Tallott (23) and Norman Brackley (15), while Nel also ran out Jamie Epton for a duck.

But by the time Norris (1-20) dismissed Houghton with the score on 138, Brendan Young (15no) and Paul Butler (8no) were able to ease their side home with plenty of time to spare.

Next up is Grimsby away on Saturday (noon).