LINCS ECB PREMIER: Round-up

Held to 182-9, of which Ben Powell hit 48 on a good pitch at Grimsby Town, Grantham then bowled their opponents out for 95, 17-year-old James Keast taking four wickets.

Market Deeping stay second despite a surprise defeat at Skegness.

Lee Peacock took five wickets as the home side were all out for 154 but the seasiders’ West Indian import Ray Jordan, who had earlier top scored with 41 runs, then put in a man of the match performance with the ball, claiming six for 43 as Deeping were all out for 136, Jamie Morgan making 43.

Bourne and Woodhall Spa occupy third place in the table, four points behind Deeping.

Woodhall lost six wickets before setting Nettleham a target of 241 at Jubilee Park, Prasanna Jayawardene hitting 55 and Joe Irving out for 97 after a suicidal attempt at a second run off an overthrow robbed him of his century.

Nettleham set off confidently in pursuit but the Woodhall bowlers stuck to their task and the visitors slowly fell behind the run rate.

With nine wickets down and half a dozen overs still to go, the home team looked to be on the way to victory.

But Scott Nicholson had other ideas and in partnership with number 11 James White saw his side home to a draw and nine valuable points, Nicholson finishing on 52 and Ross Dixon taking five wickets for Woodhall.

At home to Bracebridge Heath, Bourne who lost their first wicket on six but went on to reach 220 for nine, Pete Morgan making 57.

Alex Moor took four wickets for the visitors but Colin Cheer and Ben Collins were on equally good bowling form, Collins claiming four victims, including top scorer Paul Cook for 46 and Cheer finishing with five for 51 as Bracebridge were all out for 136.

Another Cheer was in action for Boston at Sleaford where the home side piled on the runs to finish with the day’s highest total of 261 for seven.

After both openers were dismissed for ducks South African Obus Pienaar took up the batting mantle left by Tim McIntosh to hit 143 off 129 balls with 15 fours and two sixes.

Boston in turn lost both openers early but Jonny Cheer and Ryan Croom put on 69 for the third wicket and Cheer and Liam Sparke added 55 as the visitors batted out their 50 overs to finish 166 for six, Cheer making 54.

This draw keeps Boston above Louth at the foot of the table after Lindum inflicted another defeat on the bottom side.

A fourth wicket stand of 73 between Luke Robinson (68) and Geoff Middleton helped the home side to 230 for seven with Middleton not out on 67 at the close.

Louth then reached 40 before the first wicket fell but a middle order collapse saw them 86 for seven and the final wicket fell on 127.

Premier Division: Belton Park 137, Woodhall Spa 2nd 141-5 (Bee 53no); Boston 2nd 199-6, Sleaford 2nd 151 (Roberts 5-34); Bourne 220-8, Grantham 2nd 122; Long Sutton 169-5, Spalding 170-0 (Nel 103no, Newton 60no); Market Deeping 2nd 242-8 (Witt 91), Stamford Town 184.

Division One: Billingborough 2nd 192-8 (Griffiths 78), Skegness 2nd 110 (Brown 6-21); Welby Cavaliers 233-8 (Wilkin 100no), Baston 149 (Tickler 85no); Grantham 3rd 180, Timberland 183-4; Moulton Harrox 43, Spalding 2nd 44-3.

Division Two: Claypole 124, Graves Park 89; Pinchbeck 283-3 (Crooks 118, Jackson 105); Grantham 4th 77 (Roberts 6-36).

South Lincolnshire & Border League Cup: Freiston 194-9 (Moeed 68), Boston 3rd 128-8.