Dixon On Fire For Firsts

Forget Will Grigg..Ross Dixon is the only sportsman on fire after another outstanding performance on Saturday. Following his five wicket heroics in the opening fixture of the Lincs ECB Premier League for the 1stXI he once again led from the front as captain with a stellar performance at home to Spalding and one that has never been achieved by a Spa player.

First of all, walking out to bat at number eight with his side 95-6, he cracked an unbeaten maiden century at this level finishing 102 not out form 73 balls to help his side post a daunting total of 257-9. His first fifty was measured one, coming from 47 balls, but his 100 came up just 24 balls later as he executed a second consecutive scoop shot to the fine leg boundary. His innings included 13 fours and one maximum and he shared in vital partnerships of 49 with Chris Anderson (19), 20 with Tom Cushen (8) and an undefeated one of 76 with Alex King (13 not out).

After the tea-break, and when his side looked like they were in trouble again with Spalding well placed on 164-1, he reintroduced himself into the attack, broke the second wicket partnership and then, together with King (1-39 ) and Pradeep Chanditha (2-32), proceeded to bowl the visitors out for 223 and along the way claim 5-61 and together with it the accolade of the only Spa player ever to accomplish the magnificent feat of scoring a 100 and taking a five wicket haul in the same Premier League match.

As expected his performance was well received by all of his team mates and supporters but more importantly it had helped the team to another hard fought victory and 20 points to sit them joint top of the league with maximum points.

Away at Stamford the 2ndXI were also involved in an exciting encounter in the South Lincs and Border Premier League. Bowling first the travelling Spa men restricted the home side to 156-9 from its 45 overs.

The Spa attack made run scoring difficult and the score could have been a lot less if it wasn’t for a couple of missed chances in the field. Pick of the bowlers was left arm seamer Sam Cherry who claimed superb figures of 6-31 from his 12 overs, four of which were clean bowled dismissals.

In reply, Spa’s innings got off to the worst possible start losing Cherry and Tom Dixon inside the first over. Skipper Matthew Sargeant stood firm and together with Ollie Caswell (12) and then Nathan Carter (17) gradually began to chip away at the target but on his dismissal for 36 another mini-collapse ensued reducing the visitors to 78-7.

From this juncture the experienced Pete Jackson took on the mantle of trying to guide the tail to victory and he nearly did finishing just 12 runs short. Jackson himself made 28 and he was excellently supported by James White (17) and Alfie Lindsey (12) but unfortunately it just wasn’t to be.

On Sunday, the Wanderers 1^st XI made the short trip to Revesby and returned with a convincing eight wicket win in the Lincoln and District Premier Division. Bowling first Chris Anderson’s men restricted the home side to 150-8 with some tight bowling and energetic fielding. Pick of the Spa bowlers were Alfie Lindsey (2-26), Paul Timby (2-38) and John Temperton (2-18) In reply, the Spa batting line up made short work of the total passing the winning line inside 20 overs with Pradeep Chanditha smashing 42 form 33 balls and Jack Timby finishing unbeaten on 81 from just 65 balls including winning the game with three consecutive sixes.

On Monday, the 1stXI competed in the first round of the Premier League’s Winkworth T20 Trophy playing two matches against Boston and Lindum at Lindum CC. The side, led by T20 Captain Ross Dixon, were victorious in both 15-over per side encounters and will line up against Alford in the second semi-final at Sleaford CC on Monday 29^th May at 1.30pm.

In game one, the side took it to the last ball to chase down the 130 wining total thanks mainly to a half century from Pradeep Chanditha (54 from 37); Joe Irving (43 from 37) and Chris Anderson 23 not out from 14 balls. Earlier Chanditha and Paul Timby each took a wicket in Boston’s 129-2.

In what was ultimately the day’s ‘final’ following Lindum’s earlier victory against Boston, Dixon elected to bat first and Spa were in some early trouble but Jack Timby (18), Anderson (25) and Tom Dixon’s unbeaten 27 set the home side 115 for victory. Despite a good start from the home side, they were in some trouble at 27-4 with Spa on fire in the field executing two smart catches. Firstly Tom Caswell took flight at mid-off to grab on magnificently to a powerful drive and then skipper Dixon sprinted, dived and hung on at deep extra cover to give Irving (2-17) his first of two wickets. Alex King (2-10) bowled brilliantly and took the vital wicket of Wright and then more tight bowling in the middle of the innings, particularly from spinning specialist Matthew Haslam, increased the run rate and in the 15^th and final over 20 was needed for victory. Despite two of the first three balls finding the boundary, Coach Paul Timby held his nerve and Spa claimed a seven run victory.

Ross Dixon was in fine form on Saturday with 102 not out from 73 balls and 5-61