Wanderers 2nd XI Start With Win

Woodhall Spa’s Saturday teams’ impressive batting displays were to no avail as the thundery storms that hit Lincolnshire meant that both the 1st and 2nd XI’s matches were abandoned during the second innings of the match.

At home, the 1st XI had amassed an impressive 283-7 in its Lincs ECB Premier League fixture versus Market Rasen. It was an impressive looking batting card with openers Jack Luffman (89) and Sam Evison (43) putting on an 113 run opening partnership to start the innings off well. Malinga Bandara scored 23 and last week’s centurion Ricky Lovelace was unluckily run out at the non-striker’s end after the bowler spilled a tough caught and bowled chance.

Middle-order men Etienne Botha (38) and Matt Wooldridge (41) shared an entertaining stand of 66 and late order hitting form Ross Dixon (10) and Joe Irving (17 not out) secured the imposing total.

Unfortunately only 10 balls were possible in the Rasen innings before the rain came and despite every effort from umpires, players and ground staff the match had to be abandoned.

It was a similar story at Belton Park where the 2ndXI had posted an impressive 212-7 before they declared during the first rain delay. Opener Rob Bee played well for his 43 as did skipper Paul Timby (24) but it was the seventh wicker partnership of 116 between Matthew Haslam (48) and Alex King (51 not out) that made sure of another good total for the Spa’s second string. Haslam played with intelligence and experience while King played some lusty blows straight down the ground to register his first half-century for the club.

In reply, the home side were 93-3 from 28 overs before the rain put a halt to proceedings. Jack Cooke, Haslam and Timby the men with the wickets.

Sunday brought fine weather and the 1st XI made a lengthy trip to Nottingham to play Clifton Village in the ECB National Club Championship. It was under strength Spa side with just four players from Saturday’s 1stXI in the side however in tricky surroundings the side didn’t disgrace themselves despite an 8 wicket defeat.

Spa batted first on what was two paced wicket but got off to a flyer thanks to Jack Timby who quickly made his way to 25 before being bowled by former Lincolnshire CCC quickie Adam Shepherd.  Wickets then fell at fairly regular intervals despite the best efforts of Ross Dixon (32) and Tom Dixon (20) the visitors were bowled out for just 125. The home side got home in the 20th over but not without a scare as Alex King and Jack Cooke bowled well and King’s two scalps had the home side rocking on 18-2 and it with a bit more luck more wickets could have been taken.

At Jubilee Park, the Wanderers 2nd XI started its season off with a convincing 8 wicket win over Nocton.

The victors batted first and were bowled out for 152 thanks in the main to some impressive bowling from Alfie Lindsey (3-20), Kieran Richardson (3-15) and Etienne Botha (2-31). The young Spa side also impressed in the field with wicket-keeper George Lindsey taking two scalps.

His day got even better in the run chase as together with opening partner Adam Barker he put 109 on for the first wicket. Barker, making his first league appearance for the Club, batted impressively and registered his maiden half century before being dismissed for a fine 63. Lindsey continued to bat on and carried his bat for a career best 45 as the winning runs were hit by 12-year-old Ollie Caswell (4 not out).