Hat-Trick Of Wins For Senior Sides
The 1stXI continued his run of good form with a winning-draw at home to bottom side Spalding. While Jack Luffman and his team woudl readily admit they weren’t quite at their best at Jubilee Park on Saturday the positive result and the ability to defend just 202 on a good batting surface showed once again that the team are up for a scrap when needed.
Two changes were made to the side form the previous week with Chris Anderson and Matthew Sargeant replacing the unavailable duo of Ricky Lovelace and Matthew Woolridge and when home captain Luffman won the toss he had no hesitation in batting first and together with opening partner Sam Evison put on 103 for the first wicket. Both the left handers were playing nicely and Luffman brought up his second consecutive half-century before playing on for 57. From this juncture Spa suffered somewhat of a collapse and were soon 129-5. Evison was the next wicket to go for 55 and when Ross Dixon also went cheaply Spalding sensed bowling out the home side very cheaply. However, the experienced Sargeant (30) and young wicket-keeper Jack Tinby (22) steadied the ship and combined in a very important partnership to tkae the home side towards 200. Both lost their wickets in the later overs and when Spa were bowled in the 47th, giving the visitors three extra overs to bat, they had posted 202.
In the field, they knew they had to bowl and field well to defend this total and despite two dropped catches the Spa side did just that. Opening bowlers Luke Smith and Joe Irving bowled with control on a surface that was offering very little for these two seamers. However, Irving managed to cpature two wickets and then when Malinga Bandara drew the dangerous Warren Nel into a false shot the visitors were 75-3. A good partnerhsip between Smith and Hollingworth then ensued and it looked like they would put Spa’s unbeaten home run into jeopardy but the side re-grouped and spinners Bandara (three wickets), Etienne Botha and Dixon (two wickets) bowled extremely well and when Spalding opted to bat for the draw the home side were left to take 14 points from their afternoon toils with the visitors finishing on 168-7.
Away at Billingborough the 2ndXI completed its sixth victory in a row with an exciting five run win. Batting first Spa lost captain Paul Timby early but a good partnerhsip between Rob Bee (27) and Daelon Campbell (87) rebuilt the innings. Campbell showed he had a lot a of time at the wicket and he also enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Nick Bishop who showed a pleasing return to form with a well crafted 42. Some late innings bludgeoning from under-15 player Hugo Finley (32) pushed the score to a very good 239-9.
Despite a large total to chase the home side were not fased and attacked the Spa bowling unit throughout and the game went down to the final over when the fielding side came out on top. Connor Parsons and Jack Cooke took an early wicket each and Matthew Haslam bowled his 12 overs tidily but it was Alex King who continued his return to form with the ball claiming 3-59 who was the pick.
On Sunday the Wanderers 1stXI travelled to top of the table Cherry Willingham in the Lincoln and District Premier League. The home side batted first and posted 188-7. Alex King took three wickets again with one wicket each for Alfie Lindsey, Etienne Botha, captain Paul Timby and Daelon Campbell.
In reply, Spa timed their run-chase to perfection. Opener Botha (25) laid the platform before what proved to be a match winning partnership between Jack Timby (58) and Chris Anderson (30). Timby batted with calmness and picked his gaps nicely while Anderson was typically aggressive through the off-side. On their dismissals, it was left to Campbell and Jack Hughes to take the side over the winning line.
Unfortunately the Wanderers 2ndXI game at home to Billingborough in Divison 3 was cancelled due to the visitors not being able to raise a side. Spa have been awarded the winnning points.
Six wickets for Alex King over the weekend.
July 6, 2015 12:00 am