Young guns dig in to earn Spalding Town a losing draw against Grimsby

There was disappointment for Spalding Town in the Lincs ECB Premier League on Saturday as they could only manage a losing draw with relegation rivals Grimsby Town.

Basement boys Town collected just five points from the Spalding Grammar School clash, having failed to chase down Grimsby’s 199-7. They did, however, reach 148-9 – with Josh Newton top scoring on 37 – to deny relegation rivals Grimsby maximum points.

Bowling first, opening duo Charlie Kearns (3-38) and Henry Charlton (2-43) gave Spalding a super start as they removed the top four – Joe Farmery (17), Steven Butterfield (10), Brendan Volley (5) and Michael Brown (5) – relatively cheaply.

Although Nuwan Jayasena (1-63) and Dan Milgate (1-54) both got among the wickets, Steven Crossley (46) and Lee Charlton (62no) led a spirited fightback to ensure Spalding would have to score 200 to take the victory they craved.

The run chase never really got going, though, with three of Town’s top five departing very cheaply. Skipper Rob Ambrose and all-rounder Henry Charlton both went for ducks, while talisman Warren Nel managed just four and Ben Smith amassed only three.

However, number three Newton did offer some stubborn resistance, while Milgate (24), Tim Norris (13), Jayasena (13) and Kearns (16) did their best to stem the tide.

Connor Hawkins (4-32), Lee Charlton (3-59) and Bailey Mawer (2-30) eventually ran through them, but young guns James Hook (21no) and David Thomas (4no) refused to accept to defeat and ensured Town collected a losing draw.

The loss leaves Ambrose’s side 14 points adrift at the bottom.

Results

Lincs ECB Premier League: Louth 236 (Scott 117), Bourne 151 (Carrington 5-43); Sleaford 262 (Kimber 64, Shorthouse 63), Market Rasen 80; Bracebridge Heath 150, Market Deeping 132 (Jones 55); Grimsby 199-7 (Charlton 52), Spalding 148-9; Grantham 153-9, Lindum 117 (Peck 8-43); Woodhall Spa 178 (Evison 65, Brackley 5-43), Skegness 172 (Chanditha 81).

South Lincs & Border League

Premier Division: Long Sutton 108-9 (Vella 5-25), Boston 109-3; Moulton Harrox 164-9 (Wilson 50), Bourne 2nd 169-1 (A Binns 106no); Lindum Ramblers 215-9 (E Pickering 55, A Pickering 51), Grantham 2nd 69 (Sarkar 5-14); Stamford Town 172-7, Woodhall Spa 2nd 176-2 (P Timby 72, M Sargeant 60); Billingborough 244 (Griffiths 84), Spalding 2nd 245-3 (Dring 150no).

Division One: Welby 61, Boston 2nd 63-3; Cavaliers 196-8, Lindum 3rd 191 (Bauer 58); Heckington 156 (Charlesworth 56), Freiston 159-9; Grantham 3rd 197-6 (Kennedy-Short 50), Long Sutton 2nd 45-2 – match abandoned; Skegness 2nd 52-1 v Market Deeping – match abandoned

Division Two: Graves Park 229-6 (Maskell 115no, Ashton 55), Boston 3rd 151-9; Baston 230-6 (Richardson 118), Spalding 3rd 83; Claypole 183 (Ragless 76, Eyett 6-59), Pinchbeck 184-4 (Jackson 79); Burgh & District 163-9 (Coulson 5-15), Belton Park 2nd 51-1 – match abandoned.