A Weekend Of Mixed Fortunes

It was a disappointing afternoon for Woodhall Spa’s 1stXI as
they lost their first outtight game of the season to the Premier League’s
bottom side Louth by three wickets.

Batting first under cloudy skies the Spa batting line-up
failed to deliver and posted just 170-9 form their 50 overs. A string of poor
shots and wickets at regular intervals meant that despite being fairly well
placed at 53-1 the innings never really got going despite another half-century
from Prasanna Jayawardene. Young Henry Wilson battled hard for his 16 runs and
lower order man Ross Dixon batted very well with the tail to try and get his
side to a respectable score and finished 38 not out.

Defending such a low total on another good Jubilee Park
pitch was never going to be an easy task and the Spa bowlers and fielders did
make life hard for the visiting batsmen. Skipper Jack Luffman’s decision to
open the bowling with the experienced Matthew Sargeant reaped its awards
immediately as he accounted for opener Darke and then Australian Critchell,
both for 0, to leave Louth at 16-2. However, despite the best efforts of all
the bowling attack ,the next wicket wasn’t to fall until the score had reached 102
when spinner Paul Timby had Scott trapped LBW for 61. A fight back occurred
from the home side at this point and through the returning Joe Irving (2-42),
Connor Parsosn (1-25) and Jaywardene (1-18) and some good catches from Alfie
Lindsey and Chris Anderson, the visitors were put under increasing pressure but
with just 11 balls to go they did reach their victory target to claim their
first win of the season. Spa claimed five points form the encounter and will be
looking to bounce back with a positive performance away at Grantham on
Saturday.

Away at Long Sutton, the 2ndXI were convincingly beaten by
nine wickets. Batting first Pete Jackson’s side were bowled out for just 88.
Only Tom Caswell (22) and Jean-Pierre Prinsloo (21) reached double figures on
their return from back and ankle injuries respectively.

In reply the home side were in no mood to hang about and
crossed the wining line in just the 16^th over. Jackson switched and
changed his bowlers to find a breakthrough which he himself found but with just
seven runs to win for Sutton.

On Sunday, Chris Anderson’s Wanderers 1stXI kept up its winning
run with a four wicket victory over Bracebridge Heath in the Lincoln and
District Premier League. After an electric start from the visitors, 45 from
five overs, the home side dragged it back superbly well to bowl the Peacocks out
for just 120. Young Alfie Lindsey took some early hammer but was well used by
skipper Anderson and returned to take 3-36 from his seven overs. Spinners Paul
Timby (2-20) and Ross Dixon (2-19) bowled tightly and Tom
Siswick took 3-16 against his former side. The bowlers were well backed up in
the field, particularly by James Harris who claimed three excellent outfield
catches.

Anderson switched the batting order around and the run chase
was based around a solid and patient 27 from Henry Wilson. James Hillsmith (13)
and Timby (18) backed him up well and it was left to Dixon to score a
quick-fire 18 not out to take his side to victory.

In Division 2, the Wanderers 2ndXI travelled to their
Sleaford counterparts. After winning the toss captain Pete Epton elected to bat
first and he led from the front with a pleasing 45 from 60 balls. He enjoyed
fruitful partnerships with under-13 batter Alex Hodson (25) and Jackson Draper
who finished 33 not out. The Spa posted a par score of 163-9 from their 40
overs.

In reply the home side were in devastating form with the bat
and won the game inside 30 overs. The young Spa bowling attack once again kept
to the task well led by Kieran Richardson who took two of the three wickets to
fall.

Ross Dixon scored 38 not out, 18 not out and took two wickets during the weekend.