Crushing wins for Saturday 1sts and 2nds

The 1stXI continued its winning run on Saturday with a 119-run victory away at Grimsby Town. Skipper Jack Luffman won the toss and elected to bat on a flat but slow Augusta Street wicket and his decision was proved correct with Spa posting a daunting 277-7 from 50 overs. The innings was dominated by an opening stand of 94 between Luffman and Sam Evison (38) and then one of 50 between Malinga Bandara and Ricky Lovelace (21). Luffman and Bandara both passed the half-century mark and looked like they would both reach three figures but had to settle for 70 and 79 respectively. Some late innings hitting from Etienne Botha, 33 off 24 balls ensured the total passed the 250 mark and beyond.

Despite Joe Irving blowing away the top order with help from a good slip catch from Luffman and an outstanding one from Luke Smith at long-leg the Grimsbyline-up made life tough for the Spa bowlers with wicket-keepr Crossley the main stay with a fine 72. However, Spa stuck to their task well and with many bowling changes wickets began to tumble and once again it was the triple spin attack then took the remaining seven wickets. Botha took two; Bandara two and Ross Dixon once again showed his worth with 3-11 from just five overs including, for the second week running, bowling the final batsman to claim the 20 points.

At home, the 2ndXI were in blistering form with both bat and ball against Moulton Harrox. Batting first Spa posted 260-8 from 45 overs. Captain Paul Timby led the way with a fine 94 before being caught on the boundary trying to reach three figures. Rob Bee and Tom Dixon each scored well cosntructed half-centuries.

In reply, Harrox were simply blown away by Connor Parsons who took 7-30, his first career five-wicket haul, who bowled with pace and agression. Alex King and Jack Cooke took the other two wickets to fall while one batsman had to retire hurt after being struck by a Parsons delivery meaning the visitors were bowled out for 64.

On Sunday the Wanderers 1stXI lost by just three runs at home to Lindum in an exciting game of cricket which once again saw many of the Spa youngsters perform well at this higher level. Alex King, Jack Cooke, Alfie Lindsey and debutant Tom Appleyard all bowled well on a batting friendly surface at Jubilee Park and against a strong line-up that included Lincolnshire minor counties player Luke Robinson. Lidnum posted 199-8 form their 40 overs with King (3-49) and Etienne Botha (3-38) the pick of the home bowlers.

In reply, many of the home side batsman got starts and it looked like the more senior members of the side, Luffman (35) and Paul Timby (44), would steer their side home but even when they lost their wickets the young tail of King, Appleyard, Lindsey and Jack and Sam Cooke wagged and almost got to the winning total.

Away at Hykeham, the Wanderers 2ndXI continued its winning streak with 36 run victory. Batting first Pete Epton’s side were bowled out for 185. The main stays of the innings were Epton (22), Sam Cherry (43) and Tom Dixon (77).

In the field, the young side impressed with the ball and kept chipping away at taking wickets at regular intervals. John Temperton (2-25) and Dixon (3-36) were the chief destroyers but Cherry, Dewi Bourke, Kieran Richardson and Luke Ware all took a wicket to help claim the victory.

Connor Parsons who took career best figures of 7-30 in the 2ndXI’s victory over Moulton Harrox on Saturday.