Top shows from Broomfield and Tilley inspire Spalding Town’s tight triumph

A half-century from Joe Broomfield and Roy Tilley’s four-wicket haul kept Spalding Town’s unbeaten start to the South Lincs and Border League Premier Division season going on Saturday.

Opener Broomfield starred with an important 57 as Town were bowled out for just 117 against Grantham 2nd at the Memorial Field.

But Tilley’s super spell of 4-12 in 12 overs, plus 2-21 from Brandon Andrews, helped Spalding skittle Grantham for 101 in reply and earned them a 16-run triumph.

The win keeps Josh Newton’s side second in the embryonic table, nine points behind Skegness with a game in hand.

But for Broomfield’s knock, it could have been a day to forget for Spalding.

Captain for the day, his 57 dwarfed any of the other scores made by his team-mates – with only Josh Lawrence (21) and Jack Barratt (10) managing double figures.

Indeed, they were toiling at 44-6 after the dismissals of Jon Manton (9), Rob Ambrose (4), Jon Miles (0), Ben Smith (0), Brandon Andrews (1) and Jordan Butcher (0).

Broomfield and Lawrence then put on a vital stand of 46 to take the score to 90 before the former was eventually out.

Spalding got to three figures without him, but 117 looked like a tricky target to defend.

Rahul Kumar (5-28) and Danny Ashley (3-24) did much of the damage for Grantham.

The visitors’ reply was similar to Spalding’s innings, with one player – this time Jaden Fell – starring.

He made 49 to push Grantham close to their target, but their hopes were dashed when Miles (1-10) got rid of the number three with the score on 85-8.

Barratt (1-35) and Broomfield (1-8) were the other wicket takers for Spalding, who host third-placed Sleaford 2nd on Saturday (1pm).

• Spalding 2nd suffered a 163-run defeat against Graves Park in SLBL Division Two.

A 70 from Mitch Griffiths helped hosts Park amass 250-4 batting first, with Jonah Gill (2-60) the top Town bowler. Spalding were all out for 87 in reply, with Ethan Lawrence (16) top scoring.

Meanwhile, Spalding 3rd (72) suffered an eight-wicket defeat at Billingborough 2nd (76-2) in Division Three.