A MAMMOTH stand of 173 in 35 overs between openers Matt Hendry (112), with his maiden century, and Jim Clarke with an anchoring 61 clinched victory in a very competitive game.

Batting first in hot conditions, Ducklings got off to an excellent start.

Then strike bowler Briggs dismissed Bullough through a smart catch by 14-year-old Nathan Oliver on his debut.

At the other end Cannon bowled with excellent control throughout his eight-over spell, going for only 24, but without the success he deserved.

Thomas came to the wicket and, with Chell, put on 103 in 17 overs with a good blend of quick running and firm hitting.

The breakthrough came from a mix-up between the stumps with Chell run out by smart thinking from Hallem for 72.

Good bowling near the end by Hallem restricted Ducklings to 198-5 in their allotted overs.

In reply, good, tight bowling from Chell and Thomas restricted Spalding to 20 off the first ten overs as openers Clarke and Hendry played themselves in.

The openers increased the tempo with Hendry reaching his 50 in the 19th over with a fine shot through the covers, while Clarke hit a couple of impressive sixes.

The 100 came up in the 22nd over and the run rate kept going up.

Clarke reached his 50 in the 28th over with a four.

The three-hour partnership was finally broken in the 35th over with a fine catch from Richard Gregg.

Hendry clinched his century with another four before being dismissed shortly before the target for a magnificent 112.

Spalding claimed victory in the 39th over with a four from Adam Briggs.

Rutland Ducklings

A Bullough c Oliver b Briggs......................26

J Chell run out...........................................72

P Thomas b Hendry...................................27

C Ferguson lbw b Hallem.............................2

A Twose not out.........................................19

Y Bomken b Morton...................................16

T Gregg not out..........................................12

Extras (1nb, 2w, 3lb, 19b) 26

Total (40 overs, 5 wkts) 198

Bowling: M Cannon 8-0-24-0; J Morton 6-0-24-1; A Briggs 6-2-38-1; Atkinson 5-0-23-1; Hendry 6-0-28-1; Burton 2-0-17-0; Hallem 4-0-15-1; Oliver 3-0-29-0.



Spalding Social

J Clarke c R Gregg b T Gregg....................61

M Hendry c A Twose b J Twose...............112

S Kirtley b R Gregg...................................10

M Cannon not out........................................1

A Briggs not out...........................................4

Extras (3nb, 6w, 6b) 15

Total (38.5 overs, 3 wkts) 202

Bowling: Chell 8-1-28-1; Thomas 8-2-34-0; A Twose 8-0-36-0; D Bonkin 3-0-25-0; T Gregg 5-0-39-1; R Gregg 3-0-19-1; J Twose 3-0-19-1.