Comprehensive Wins For Both 1st & 2nd XIs

Woodhall Spa 1stXI claimed another Lincs ECB Premier Leaguedouble on Saturday thrashing Spalding by 162 runs.

Despite the huge winning margin Spa didn’t have it all theirown way until the final dramatic scenes of the day when the home side slumpedfrom 61-1 to 75 all out in less than five overs. It was an incredible passageof play as at 61-1, and with Javed and Nel at the crease, Spalding were in areasonable and challenging position but when captain Ross Dixon removed theformer via a good catch from Alex King the wheels quite dramatically fell offand the home batting line up simply couldn’t contend with Joe Irving. 

Indeed, for the second week running Irving was in imperiousform with both bat and ball in hand and in his seven overs he demolished themiddle and lower order taking 6-16 in seven devastating overs. Dixon claimed2-8 and a sharp run out and King had removed the dangerous Newton in aneffective opening spell.

Earlier, Spa had posted a very competitive 237-8 form its 50overs on what was a very slow and low wicket to bat on. The pleasing part fromWoodhall’s perspective was the way they paced their innings as at 66-3 at thehalfway stage the young batting line-up could’ve panicked but with Irving (59)in commanding form and showing an air of maturity, he shared in a 78 runpartnership with Pradeep Chanditha (35) with the pair running well between thewickets and ceasing on any loose deliveries. On their dismissals Chris Anderson(40) played a fine innings that included five boundaries and good cameos fromJack Hughes, Dixon, Paul Timby and Matt Law ensured maximum batting points weregained before swelling the score even further.

Spa sits fourth in the table and travel to face LincolnLindum on Saturday in what will be a challenging encounter.

At home, with the 1940s Weekend as a back drop toproceedings, the 2ndXI also produced a commanding display beating Stamford byeight wickets.

Captain Matthew Sargeant won the toss and elected to bowlfirst and he would have been delighted with the outcome as the visitors wereblown away for just 112 by some excellent bowling from the home attack.

Youngsters Jack Cooke and Alfie Lindsey opened the bowlingand together bowled 14 tidy overs each claiming a wicket. Lindsey also claimeda run out but, just like the village was doing all weekend, it was theexperienced pair of Pete Jackson and Matthew Haslam who turned back the clockclaiming seven wickets between them. Jackson bowled 11 miserly overs claiming3-29 while off-spinner Haslam missed out on claiming a third consecutivefive-for finishing with figures of 4-20 form his six overs.

Spa made light work of the run chase chasing the 113 neededto win in just 13 overs. Skipper Sargeant smashed 55 and fellow opener SamCherry finished unbeaten on 30.

On Sunday the Wanderers 1stXI lost by five wickets away atSleaford. Batting first Spa were bowled out for 141. Only Nathan Carter, HenryWilson, Jack Hughes and captain Chris Anderson making any notablecontributions. In reply the home side easily claimed the full points despitenotable efforts in the field and with the ball from the young Spa side. TomCaswell claimed two wickets and Alfie Lindsey and Will Sharpe both claiming one each.

Joe Irving produced a Man of the Match display in the 1stXI's demolotion of Spalding. (Photo: David Dales/Horncastle News)