LINCS ECB: Round-up

Market Deeping took over at the top of the Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League following a three-wicket win over fellow title contenders Grantham, with Sleaford moving into second after recording in the highest total of the day in their winning draw over Skegness.
Cricket.Cricket.
Cricket.

But once again, it was Boston who were involved in the closest match of the weekend, taking five wickets in the final over to defeat Nettleham by just six runs.

Jonny Cheer hit 58 in Boston’s innings of 229 for eight and the visitors made steady progress towards this total, David Manby making 93 and Sam Hickingbotham 80.

Going into the final over, the game looked set for a thrilling finish with 10 runs needed for victory and five wickets standing, but it was Boston who provided the shocks.

Tom Baxter’s first ball took a wicket, then one run was added before Jack Curtis was run out going for the second.

The incoming batsman went first ball, to be followed by another run out as the batsmen went for a second run.

A single came off the next ball but the last ball brought the final wicket to give Boston an unexpected outright win.

Damp weather affected several pitches, leading to low scores, with two first innings totals falling below 100.

Lee Peacock laid the foundations of Market Deeping’s win, taking six Grantham wickets as the home side were all out for 99, a total Deeping overtook for the loss of seven wickets.

Grimsby suffered a similar fate as Jonny Miller’s six wickets helped reduce them to 97 all out.

Lindum then lost six wickets before reaching their target.

Batting was also difficult at Bourne where the home side were bowled out for 147, six wickets falling to Joe Irving.

Woodhall lost their first two wickets for 18 runs, bringing Irving out to join Prasanna Jayawardene to add 43.

But it was Chris Anderson with an unbeaten 49 who saw the visitors to their first outright victory of the season.

Obus Pienaar was once again the star batsman for Sleaford, hitting 137 of his side’s 260 for six and sharing stands of 66 with Matt Mountain (40) and 113 with Jack Wilson (29).

Skegness lost early wickets but 49 from Jamies Epton and steady batting down the order saw them bat out the 50 overs to reach 186 for nine, six of the wickets falling to Nick Goacher.

The only game to be abandoned because of the weather was at Bracebridge Heath where the home side made 217 for eight.

Keaton Critchell then hit 49 for Louth who were 107 for four when rain brought an early end to the game.

Results: Boston 229-8 (Cheer 58), Nettleham 223 (Manby 93. Hickingbotham 80); Grantham 99 (Peacock 6-41), Market Deeping 102-7; Bourne 147 (Irving 6-33), Woodhall Spa 148-6; Grimsby 97 (Miller 6-25) Lindum 98-6; Sleaford 260-6 (Pienaar 137), Skegness 186-9 (Goacher 6-50); Bracebridge Heath 217-8, Louth 107-4 - abandoned, rain.