CRICKET: Woodhall Spa suffer defeat to high-flyers

Woodhall Spa batsman Prasanna Jayawardene on his way to 78 runs at Lindum. Photo: Nigel West

It was a contest in which the men from Jubilee Park fell short in all three facets of the game, albeit through no lack of effort or desire. Skipper Jack Luffman called incorrectly and the home captain had no hesitation in asking the Spa to bat first on a damp and slow wicket.

Luffman fell early but a partnership of 88 then ensued between Jack Timby and Prasanna Jayawardena. Both batsmen showed skill in negotiating some good early bowling, though run scoring was incredibly difficult with an inexplicably long outfield.

Timby eventually fell, adjudged LBW, for a gritty 36 and not long after, with just 18 overs to go in the innings, the first of two lengthy rain breaks took place. In between the two, Jayawardena passed his half-century and after the second resumption Spa had just seven overs to go in their innings. Sri-Lankan Jayawardena fell for 78, Ross Dixon for 12 and Matt Sargeant unluckily for 11 in the pursuit of quick runs.

Spa eventually set a challenging 160-6 but their innings’ momentum had certainly been stunted somewhat by the rain delays.

In reply, the Lindum batsmen knew run scoring was at a premium so were very positive in their shot selection and running between the wickets, and on another day Spa may have had two or three run outs but luck was not on their side in that regard this week.

Rain truncated this innings also and Spa did pick up two early wickets via Alfie Lindsey and Mark Irving, but Lindum’s talented young pair of Wright and Robinson continued their intent and, despite the latter losing his wicket, they took their side close to the winning line inside 36 overs.

Spa remain sixth in the table and take on the challenge of West Indian Ray Jordan and Skegness at home this week.

At Jubilee Park, Spa 2nd XI hosted second bottom Stamford in the South Lincs and Border League and this game unfortunately fell foul to the weather.

Stamford had been inserted by home captain Pete Jackson and posted 149. Jack Cooke was the pick of the home bowlers with three wickets.

In reply, Spa were 17-2 before the heavens opened and eventually the umpires called time on what would have been an interesting run chase.