Town are targeting a championship treble

They got their South Lincs and Border League Premier Division championship charge back on track on Saturday with a seven-wicket win against Grantham 2nd.

And 24 hours later the club’s Rutland League side moved to the top of the Division Six table after beating previous leaders Uffington.

The Saturday 2nd team are also currently top of Division One of the South Lincs and Border League.

Success in the South Lincs and Border leagues is the club’s main priority as it brings an immediate return to the Lincolnshire Premier League for the first team.

But their Rutland League title charge is proving a welcome distraction as they blood many of the club’s up-and-coming youngsters.

Tim Norris, who took charge of Saturday’s proceedings with club captain Rob Ambrose away, was delighted that Town are chasing honours on three fronts.

He said: “It would be brilliant if we could win all the titles.

“The Rutland League has been about helping bring the youngsters through and they have been playing very well.”

Norris was pleased that his charges had got their South Lincs League campaign back on track after the previous week’s blip at basement boys Belton Park.

They restricted Grantham 2nds to 160-8 from their 45 overs on Saturday before an unbeaten 85 not out from Hafiz Majeed guided Town to victory for the loss of just three wickets.

Norris added: “It was a good win, especially after what happened the week before.

“It was a good team performance. Our bowling and fielding was very solid and the batsmen were always in control of the chase with Hafiz leading the way.”

Town’s title credentials will face another stern examination this weekend when they travel to face third-placed Boston 2nd.

Ambrose is still absent, but the return of Josh Newton will provide a welcome boost to Spalding’s top order batting line-up.
Norris added: “It will be a tough game. Grantham were a strong side and Boston will be just as tough.

“Josh will be a big addition to the side so hopefully we’ll be able to field our strongest side with the exception of Rob.”

Norris played a pivotal role in Town’s Sunday success after being their second highest run scorer with the bat.

Just seven points had separated the top four sides in the division going into the crucial clash.

However, Town’s 19-point haul has seen them now open up a slight advantage over second-placed Huntington who do have a game in hand.

Spalding won the toss and, after electing to bat, got off to a solid start through openers Jimmy Hook and Norris.

Hook, who plundered an unbeaten 160 not out the previous weekend to set a new all-time Town batting record, raced to another half-century before he was caught by Ivan Wilson off the bowling of Will Fry.

Despite Harry Wilkinson-Roberts and Ethan Lawrence falling in quick succession, Majeed and Norris both went on to score more than 60 runs to help Town to a final total of 267-9.

Brandon Andrews also weighed in with an unbeaten 23 not out as Town made full use of their 45 overs.

Majeed’s role with the ball then proved crucial as he removed the dangerous Steve Moody for 62 while Hook claimed the scalp of fellow half-centurion Tom Bentley.

Will Fairham (24) and John Burton (28) also made significant contributions before Majeed claimed two quick-fire wickets to leave Uffington restricted to 227-8 in their reply.