Parsons Claims First 'Five-For'

Woodhall Spa’s 1stXI returned with nine points from a losing
draw at second placed Market Deeping in the Lincs ECB Premier League on
Saturday which leaves the side sixth in the table, just eight points from top
spot.

It was a low key affair in the main and Spa were not quite
at their best but would have been happy to restrict the home side to 193-9 from
their 50 overs after the home captain Dave Gillet elected to bat first after
winning the toss. It could’ve been even better for the Spa as they had reduced
the home side to 88-6 at one stage but, rather like that fateful day in
September 2013 when the seventh wicket took the game and league title away from
the Spa side, a solid partnership of 59 between the aforementioned Gillet and
Australian Zac Simmonds steadied the Deeping ship somewhat. Some late order
hitting then ensured that the home side posted a competitive total. For the
Spa, pick of the bowlers were Matt Sargeant (2-16) and quick bowler Connor
Parsons who claimed three wickets in each of his two spells to claim final
figures for 6-81 from his 15 overs and with it his first ever five wicket haul
at Premier League level. The bowlers were all backed up well by some excellent
fielding which was led by wicket-keeper Jack Timby who once again showed his
ability with three catches, two of which were magnificent diving efforts down
the leg side.

The Spa side was confident they could overhaul the target
and at 50-1 with Timby and Prasanna Jayawardene at the crease they were well
placed. However, under some pressure form the home side’s tight bowling the
visitors slipped to 69-4. Jayawardene was still at the crease and playing an
excellent anchor role but with both the pitch and outfield getting slower by
the over, run-scoring became increasingly difficult. Cameos from Sargeant (20)
and Ross Dixon (19) were short lived and in the end Spa had to settle for a
three point losing draw and it was left to Parsons (7 not out) and 15-year-old
Henry Wilson (16 not out) to see out the remaining overs. Wilson showed a solid
defence and mind to see out the final over and match what his under-15 captain
Alfie Lindsey had done earlier in the afternoon when he bowled four tight overs
at the end of the Deeping innings. The future is bright for these two young Spa
players.

At home, the 2ndXI were again unlucky not to claim the
victory when they fell just 12 runs short of chasing down Market Deeping’s
205-7. The run chase was built around a fine 96 from opener Tom Dixon who
played an array of fine shots in an innings that deserved a first century of
the season. He shared in a good opening partnership of 50 with Tom Caswell and
all the remaining batsmen chipped in with double figure scores but on Dixon’s
dismissal hope of an unlikely and fine victory slipped away.

Earlier in the afternoon the bowling and fielding had been
impressive on a good batting surface and quick outfield. Opening bowler Sam
Cherry (2-57) bowled tidily up front and was unlucky to get some punishment
towards the end of the innings on his return to the attack. Stand-in skipper
and the evergreen Matt Haslam was again in good form with the ball claiming
4-44 from his 12 overs.

On Sunday Chris Anderson’s Wanderers 1stXI travelled to
Middle Rasen in the Lincoln League Premier Division and returned with a
crushing nine wicket victory. The home side are tricky opposition on their home
turf and skipper Anderson would have been delighted with his side’s bowling and
fielding – bowling the home side out for 96. Youngsters Alfie Lindsey and Henry
Wilson bowled nicely taking two wickets each but it was debutant Tom Siswick
who was the pick of the attack taking 4-30 form his nine overs. Good catches
were taken by James Hillsmith (2), James Harris and Siswick.

In reply, Spa past the winning line in the 19^th
over for loss of just one wicket. Jack Timby finishing on 45 not out and
Anderson 24 not out.

At Jubilee Park, the Wanderers 2ndXI hosted Sleaford Sunday
2ndXI in the league cup and were narrowly defeated in what was a super
performance from a very young side. Skipper Pete Epton was delighted with his
young team’s efforts with the ball to restrict the visitors to just 137.
Under-13 players Dewi Bourke and Sam Cooke bowled 10 overs in the middle of the
innings for just 26 runs. The former finished with fine figures of 3-16 while
John Temperton, Kieran Richardson and Jackson Draper each claimed two apiece.

The run chase got off to a steady start and the foundations
were being built nicely, particularly from George Lindsey who played well for
his 38. However, upon his dismissal the innings somewhat fell away with the
inexperienced batting line-up and the innings closed on 94-9. Ollie Caswell
played another promising innings of 10 and Draper finished 10 not out.

Connor Parsons claimed 6-81 for the 1stXI away at Market Deeping – his five wicket haul at this level!!!!

Tom Dixon scored 96 for the 2ndXI on Saturday.