Woodhall Spa came out on top to inflict the first defeat of the season upon five times champions Bracebridge Heath and the gap between the two sides is now down to three per cent with the Heath men just holding the advantage.

The second half of the league promises to be an exciting affair and maybe the return fixture to be played at Jubilee Park on the last day of the season may ultimately decide the fate of the championship.

Bracebridge batted first and lost two early wickets as Spa's opening bowlers Aaron Onyon and captain Steve Scott both struck.

What followed was a very entertaining third wicket partnership of 115 between Lincolnshire's director of cricket, Mark Fell and county middle order batsman Vikram Atri.

Bracebridge's innings closed on 260-7, an extremely competitive score but Woodhall were confident of crossing the winning line if two of their inform batsmen, Jack Luffman, Crook and Conrad Louth were to score heavily.

Luffman reached an opening stand of 41 and made way for the second wicket partnership of Crook and Louth to make 204.

Crook was in a destructive mood and his innings of 143 not out, which included 18 boundaries and two sixes was outstanding.

Louth's knock of 81, with ten boundaries and two maximums was also one of the highest quality for a 19-year-old.

It was a shame that Louth fell short of a century but after his dismissal Crook steered the ship home and it was left to Ricky Lovelace to hit the final boundary of the day to secure the Kaybrooke Construction sponsored Woodhall team a truly remarkable victory.

Saturday's game is away to Caistor.