Dixon Stars In Win

Ross Dixon turned in a Man of the Match performance on Saturday to help Woodhall Spa to a 19-point victory over league high flyers Market Deeping in the Lincolnshire ECB Premier League.

Dixon scored 42 not out to help his side post 218-9, sharing in a vital ninth wicket partnership of 63 with Jean-Pierre Prinsloo (30), before claiming four wickets for just 20 runs and taking three fine catches as the home side bowled the visitors out for 168. It was a huge turnaround for the men form Jubilee Park as their visitors were well placed at 136-2 but lost their last eight wickets for just 32 runs with fellow spinner Paul Timby claiming four wickets alongside his leg-spinning partner. Earlier opening bowlers Prinsloo and Alfie Lindsey had both taken a wicket via LBW decisions.

It was another sign of how well the side had kept together all afternoon as twice with the bat Spa had been in some trouble. Firstly they had lost the early wickets of skipper Jack Luffman and overseas star Prassanna Jayawardena with less than 20 on the board. However, a gritty partnership between the returning Jack Timby (36) and Henry Wilson (16) then ensued and then when they had both lost their wickets Joe Irving and Chris Anderson (17) then dominated the visiting attack. Irving was in particular in fine form and scored another half-century and the Spa were well placed at 141-4 with plenty of overs remaining. However, both these batsmen lost their wickets as did a further two and the spa were precariously placed at 158-8 before the Dixon and Prinsloo partnership took them to a match winning total.

In the corresponding 2ndXI fixture at Market Deeping, Spa’s second string turned out winners by 38 runs in a crucial South Lincs and Border win. Batting first Spa posted a challenging if not huge 173-7 from their 45 overs. Matt Haslam’s side were in some trouble at 69-5 despite decent contributions from Tom Caswell (15), Matthew Sargeant (28) and Danny Wells (18) but an aggressive and timely 52 from Adam Barker who was well supported by an unbeaten 23 from Nathan Carter meant the Spa had a total to defend. 

It was one they did effectively as regular wickets were taken to ensure that the home side never really got in a position to win the game. Rob Bee took 3-43 from his 12 overs while Haslam, Sargeant and Jack Cooke each took two to leave Deeping 135-9 at the end of their 45 overs.

Ross Dixon socred 42 not out, took four wickets and claimed three catches in the 1stXI's win on Saturday.