Mixed Weekend Of Fortunes

The Bank Holiday weekend of cricket at Jubilee Park brought with it some much awaited sunshine and a plethora of cricketing action.

Unfortunately the 2ndXI’s game at Long Sutton was cancelled on Friday due to drainage problems on the ground so it was Jack Luffman’s 1stXI in action on Saturday as they hosted Sleaford in the Lincs ECB Premier League.

Despite winning the toss and electing to bat first, Spa didn’t have their best of days and were to eventually lose comfortably by five wickets. Two early wickets did fall but Sri Lankan duo Harsha Vithana (30) and Prassanna Jaywardena (33) were looking well set against an impressive and disciplined Sleaford attack before the former misjudged the length of another Shorthouse delivery and was trapped in front with the score on 49. From that juncture, Spa lost wickets at regular intervals and if wasn’t for a battling and encouraging 32 from wicket-keeper Brandan Laurenzi and some hard hitting form Alex King (16 not out) the final 144 total could have been a lot worse.

Spa needed early wickets and King (1-19) and opening bowling partner Joe Irving (2-44) delivered claiming an opening batsman each as the visitors were reduced to 4-2. However a dogged third wicket partnership between Hibberd (14) and skipper Shorthouse (89 not out) broke the back of the total. Spa did take three more wickets along the way but Sleaford deservedly passed the winning line with plenty of wickets and overs to spare.

The 1stXI will look to bounce back as they travel to Bourne on Saturday.

On Sunday, the Wanderers 2ndXI entertained Billingborough in Division One of the Lincoln League and ran out comfortable six wicket winners.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first on another good looking batting track but they failed to take advantage of the conditions in the face of some excellent home bowling. Opening bowlers Alife Lindsey (0-16) and Oliver Hausermann (0-30) set the tone before the trio of John Temperton (3-15), Dewi Bourke (4-23) and Sam Cooke (3-39) blew away the line-up. Temperton’;s figures were particularly impressive as he had bowled his full quota of 10 overs.

In reply, Nathan Carter (17) and Brandan Laurenzi (21) both played entertaining cameos but it was captain for the day Henry Wilson who saw his side home with a typically attractive unbeaten 64, an innings that included 10 boundaries.

Monday brought the ECB Winkworth T20 competition to Jubilee Park and the swelled crowd were treated to some fine action that would eventually see Boston reach Finals Day later this month.

Spa’s opening game was against Boston who set the home side 161 for victory thanks to another dominating 84 from Jonny Cheer. Spa bowled and fielded well throughout with Prasanna Jaywardena (2-17) and Paul Timby (2-17) the pick of the attack.

In reply, Spa were well set but on Jayawardena’s dismissal (45 form 32 balls) and in the face of some tight bowling in meant that spa needed 66 from five overs. Skipper Jack Luffman (21 from 14) and Ross Dixon (27 form 13) then put together a partnership of 50 from the next four overs but when both lost their wickets to good catches on the boundary ropes and despite a last gasp attempt from Timby, Spa lost by six runs.

The second game saw Spa turned in a comprehensive performance to thrash Alford. Spa bowled the visitors out for just 60 , thanks to impressive opening spells from Alex King and Joe Irving, before knocking the required runs off in just the fifth over. Dixon leading the way with an unbeaten 38. This meant Spa had increased their net run rate and if Alford were to overcome Boston, Spa would reach Finals Day.

 However, Jonny cheer had other ideas as went on to smash an unbeaten 141 from 71 deliveries to help post 227 which Alford never looked like chasing, finishing more than 100 runs short.

For some action shots of the T20 day visit here:

https://daviddales.smugmug.com/Cricket/Winkworth-Cup-at-Woodhall-Spa-07-05-18/n-QFts2t/i-xRtfF3R/A

May 8, 2018 12:00 am