COUNTY CRICKET ROUND-UP: South Lincs and Border Leagues

League leaders Boston had two tons in their innings, as did Skegness Seconds in Division

One who recorded 397 for two, the league’s highest team total for some time.

Boston retain their 22-point lead over Bourne 2nd after both gained 20 points, as did Sleaford Seconds who are still in contention, eight points behind Bourne but with a game in hand.

Ben Vella hit 133 and Ryan Croom 101 in Boston’s total of 319 for five and Tom Baxter then took four for 14 as Lindum Ramblers were bowled out for 85.

Connor Parsons topped the bowling figures with seven for 30 in Woodhall Spa Seconds’ win over Moulton Harrox in which Paul Timby made 94.

And Jon Howard hit 91 for Bourne who beat Belton Park, while Billingborough stayed in touch with the leaders with a win over Grantham Seconds.

Boston Seconds also had a good day, Tim Bell taking seven wickets in their victory over Grantham Thirds, while Freiston moved within five points of leaders Market Deeping with a four wicket win over Welby.

Chris Harris (115) and Richie Hewitt (130) were the century makers for Skegness Seconds who then failed to bowl out Billingborough Seconds but picked up enough points to edge to nine points behind Frieston, while Cavaliers won the mid-table battle with Heckington and go fifth.

The best match of the day was undoubtedly at Graves Park who lost their top four batsmen for single figures but then found a game-changer in Jack Ashton.

Ashton batted his way to 143 and with help from the lower order, including Liam Maskell with 48, saw his side to 254.

Ashton was caught by opener Dave Orrey who then provided the anchor for Timberland’s run chase, making an unbeaten 108.

Steve Brumpton hit 40 as the visitors batted steadily, reaching their target for the loss of six wickets.

This moved Timberland up to third in Division Two with Graves Park fourth while at the top, Baston suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of second-placed Claypole for whom Scott Barnsdale and Chris Wharmby each took five wickets.

And Boston Thirds made it a clean sweep of wins for the club, Rob Grant hitting 100 in his side’s victory over Burgh & District.

Resilts: Premier Division - Woodhall Spa 2nd 260-8 (Timby 94, Bee 52, Dixon 56), Moulton Harrox 64 (Parsons 7-30); Boston 319-5 (Vella 133, Croom 101), Lindum Ramblers 85; Sleaford 2nd 269-9 (Sneath 75, Puri 69), Spalding 2nd 140; Stamford Town 152, Long Sutton 95; Bourne 2nd 228-6 (Howard 91, Dunn 58), Belton Park 133 (Pollard 61, Pottle 5-20); Billingborough 221-7 (Griffiths 60), Grantham 2nd 127 (George 6-43); Division One - Grantham 3rd 81 (Bell 7-22), Boston 2nd 82-2; Heckington 103, Cavaliers 105-3 (Dale 53no); Welby 106, Freiston 109-6; Skegness 2nd 397-2 (Harris 115, Hewitt 130), Billingborough 2nd 122-7 (Gedney 58 Richardson 5 wkts); Division Two - Boston 3rd 220-7 (Grant 100), Burgh & District 63; Belton Park 2nd 253-5 (O’Shea-Pilkington 65), Grantham 4th 177-6 (Robinson 87); Graves Park 254 (Ashton 143), Timberland 257-6 (Orrey 108no); Claypole 166, Baston 138 (Wharmby 5-34, Barnsdale 5-18).