Keepers take the cricket plaudits

Premier League

Woodhall Spa 240-5, Skegness 213-8 (Woodhall Spa 15pts, Skegness 9pts).

It was a story of two wicketkeepers at Richmond Drive, where Skegness had to settle for a losing draw in their opening match of the new season.

Woodhall Spa’s teenager behind the stumps, Jack Timby, hit 95 to help his team to 240 for five from their 50 overs.

His opposite number Sean Chamberlain, the Skegness skipper, took three catches, ensuring that the seasiders bagged two bowling points.

But it was his captain’s innings with the bat that gave the home side hope of bagging even more of the spoils.

Chamberlain put on 80 with Tom Cuthbert and a further 33 with Ashley Regard to keep Skegness in the running, but their chances faded when he became the fifth victim of the Spa’s new signing Tanveer Sikander, having scored 64.

Timby took two of the catches as Skegness finished on 213-8.

Skegness won the toss and put the visitors into bat.

Timby and his skipper Jack Luffman put on 52 for the first wicket and after a quickfire 18 from 15 balls from Sakinder, Timby partnered Christopher Anderson (66) to 118 for the third wicket.

Cuthbert finally removed him five short of his maiden Premier League century as the visitors ended on 240-5.

In reply Skegness stuttered to 74 for four before Chamberlain picked up the baton.

His innings of 64, including nine fours, gave them hope.

But when he departed they were still 39 runs short and so settled for the three points for a losing draw, in addition to the two bowling points and four for their score of 200-plus.

Skegness bowling: T. Cuthbert 13-1-47-1; P. Chanditha 16-2-80-4; U. Farooq 10-0-48-0; N. Brackley 9-0-48-0.

Skegness batting: A. Ainsworth run out (Wilson) 11; P. Chanditha lbw b Sikander 22; D. Labuschagne ct J. Timby b Sargeant 26; N. Brackley b Sikander 0; S. Chamberlain ct Wilson by Sikander 64; T. Cuthbert ct Sergeant b Sikander 39; R. Brant ct J. Timby b Sikander 2; A. Redgard lbw b Dixon 13; U. Farooq not out 9; M. Chamberlain not out 0; J. Elsom did not bat..