Firsts Claim 20 Points

The 1stXI returned home from Grantham with a maxium 20 points thansk to a nine wicket victory and all roudn team performance.

Skipper Jack Luffman won the toss and asked the home side to bat first but despite an early wicket for the impressive Luke Smith the home side were well poised at 100-1 at the 25 over drinks interval. This soon turned into 111-1 before Spa’s leg spinner Malinga Bandara and off-spinner Etienne Botha ripped through the Grantham batting line up. They were well assisted by some good fielding on a diffuclt surface by the Spa and some outstanding catching notably from Ross Dixon, Smith and wicket keeper Jack Timby who claimed three brilliant ones off Bandara. The home side were bowled out for 148 meaning the last nine wickets fell for just 37 runs. Bandara finished with 6-49 and Botha 3-24.

In reply, openers Sam Evison and Luffman battled hard against some good bowling but gradually found their feet and for the second week running looked like posting a century opening stand but with the score on 95 the skipper played onto his own stumps for 39. This brought Bandara to the crease who seeemed to be in a hurry to get off the cold field and smashed his way to an unbeaten 41 while Evison also remained not out on 46. 20 points and an excellent team performance.

At Jubilee Park, the 2nd XI narrowly lost out by just four runs to their Grantham counterparts. Chasing 193 for victory the home side were bowled out for 188 in 44th over in what was a pleasing batting display form many of the Spa’s youngsters. None more so than 14-year-old Henry Wilson who scored an impressive 43. He was well supported by Matthew Haslam (36) in a mid innings partnership.

However, earlier in the afternoon the Grantham middle and lower order were blown away by captain and Head Coach Paul Timby’s off spin as he claimed outstanding figures of 7-39 including five clean bowled.

On Bank Holiday Monday the 1st XI were unable to reach the Winkworth Cup 20/20 Finals Day in an attmept to retain the title they won in 2014. Despite fielding a somewhat depleted squad the side show much skill and character throughout the afternoon. In its first game they overcame Market Rasen by six wickets. Chasing 104 to win Matthew Woolridge anchored the innings with 50 not out while with the ball Matthew Haslam was the pick with 3-17 from his four overs. Joe Irving, Jack Cooke and Paul TImby each took two wickets each and Jack Timby claimed four wickets behind the stumps.

In what was the final versus hosts Lindum the Spa once again bowled well to restrict the home side to 113-7 although this could have been a whole lot better as at one stage the home side were 44-7 and on a batting surface that was becoming increasingky difficult to score runs on the Spa came up just short finishing on 99-7.