SOUTH LINCS AND BORDER LEAGUE: Round-up

Boston 2nd, Billingborough and Spalding are among the the front runners after the first full weekend in the South Lincolnshire & Border League Premier Division, with Market Deeping 2nd and Long Sutton also picking up maximum points.

Deeping, who were unbeaten in Division One last season, kept up their record thanks to a 10th wicket stand of 46 that took their innings to 217 before the final wicket fell.

In reply, Adam Binns then made 58 but Bourne 2nd could only reach 183.

An unbeaten 55 from Damian Lawson took Boston to an eight wicket win after Belton Park were bowled out for 146, of which Harry Brewin hit 41.

Spalding were set a target of 192 by Woodhall Spa 2nd and passed it with ease, losing just two wickets on their way to victory while Billingborough scored 161 for nine off their 45 overs, five wickets falling to Steve Armstrong, before bowling Stamford Town out for 127.

The most exciting game came at Long Sutton where Sleaford 2nd were all out for 128 in the 32nd over, Ben Lambert making 48.

This gifted Sutton 13 overs but after opener Phil Barnes hit 27 these overs began to seem irrelevant as the rest of the top order fell cheaply and the middle order followed suit as the total slumped to 59 for eight.

But the cavalry arrived in the shape of Jake Burton and Rob Simpson who slowly ate away at the total - and the extra overs.

When Simpson, who had earlier taken three wickets, was out for 35, Sutton still needed 10 to win and in a nailbiting finish Burton and Stef Fox took their side home to a one wicket win in the 55th over of the innings, Burton unbeaten on 27.

Two lady players turned out for opposite sides in the Division Two match between Spalding 3rd and Grantham 4th.

Charlotte Cross, who last year claimed two five wicket hauls, was in the Grantham side that was bowled out for 53.

Two of the wickets fell to Amelia Gardner who went for only 13 runs off her six overs.

Jordan Butcher then hit 41 for Spalding who cruised to a 10 wicket win.

In the only other game in that division, Graham Revill and Adam Clarke each took five wickets to help bowl Pinchbeck out for 88, a total Claypole overtook for the loss of three wickets.

The first match in the new South Lincolnshire & Border League Cup was won by Freiston who bowled Graves Park out for 132 and went on to win by seven wickets.

Premier Division: Market Deeping 2nd 217, Bourne 2nd 183 (A Binns 58); Billingborough 161-9 (Armstrong 5-45), Stamford Town 127; Woodhall Spa 2nd 191-7, Spalding 192-2; Belton Park 146, Boston 2nd 150-2 (Lawson 55no); Sleaford 2nd 128, Long Sutton 129-9.

Division One: Heckington conceded to Baston.

Division Two: Grantham 4th 53, Spalding 3rd 55-0; Pinchbeck 88 (G Revill 5-24, A Clarke 5-36), Claypole 92-3; South Lincs & Border League Cup Graves Park 132, Freiston 136-3.