CRICKET: Hendry's heroics help Spalding sink Sutton
MATT Hendry's all-round heroics helped keep Spalding Town 1st bang in the title hunt.
The former Town skipper stepped up to the plate with a dazzling knock of 91 and fine figures of 4-51 in the South Lincs and Border League Division One clash with Long Sutton 1st on Saturday.
Lowly Sutton won the toss at Paradise Field and set about building a pretty tricky target for their high-flying visitors.
Chris Booth blasted 71 and Andrew Wright added 44 as Sutton managed 201-9 from their 45 overs.
It proved nowhere near enough however, as Spalding laid siege to the Sutton attack.
Hendry fell nine short of a century, while skipper Simon Juckes added a handy 38 as Spalding eased home inside 37 overs for the loss of just four wickets.
The win leaves them 27 points behind leaders Billingborough 1st in fourth, while Sutton stay just above Moulton Harrox at the foot.
But Harrox closed the gap on their rivals with only their second win of the campaign.
Colin Saville snared 5-37 as hosts Sleaford 2nd were limited to 150-9 batting first.
An on-fire Jack Barnett (88 not out) ensured that Harrox eased home.
He carried his bat all the way through the innings to close out a seven-wicket win, ably assisted by skipper John Barnett (28).
Elsewhere in the top flight,
John McDougall's unbeaten century wasn't enough for mid-table Market Deeping 2nd.
He cracked 104 not out, but saw his team-mates contribute only another 50 between them as they fell well short of Lindum Ramblers' impressive tally of 230-7.
It was a similar story for rivals Bourne 2nd, who were soundly beaten at Grantham.
The dangerous Martin Parmley (100no) racked up a ton as Grantham amassed 204-5 while making first use of their track.
Will Epsom top scored with 61 in Bourne's reply, but his side were bowled out for 165.
In Division Two, Spalding 2nd won their basement battle with Ropsley to jump off the foot.
The trio of Kev Nottingham (4-19), Luke Whitworth (3-19) and Jimmy Clarke (3-21) helped skittle the home side out for 85.
Town laboured in their reply, but the experienced Clarke (28no) played a crucial knock to see his charges home by three wickets.
Meanwhile, Jon Howard's super score of 98 halted Long Sutton's title charge.
The Baston man's stunning innings saw his team past Sutton's challenging target of 158.
Towards the bottom, Spalding 3rd were steam-rollered by North Luffenham.
Woody Hodson took 5-37 as Town's third string mustered just 95 batting first.Tail enders Ash Bright (19no) and Alex Wright (10) were the only two to reach double figures.
Moulton Harrox Sunday suffered the hard luck story of the weekend, as they fell four runs short of victory against Blankney.
Jack Cusack (5-35) helped bowl the promotion hopefuls out for 160, with Harrox making 157.
Lincs ECB Premier Division
BOURNE surged clear at the top of the pile as their stunning run continued with another 20 point haul.
Chasing 186 for victory against Louth at the Abbey Lawn, the leaders were wobbling at 134-8.
At that stage, the talismanic figure of David Christmas was just who the hosts wanted to see.
The club legend made an unbeaten 34, with Tom Lindley (15no) supporting him well.
Cliff Spinks (3-27) was the pick of Bourne's bowling attack.
Chief rivals Market Deeping then did them a favour by holding nearest rivals Nettleham to a draw.
Warren Nel (135no) and Matt O'Halloran (106) took a liking to Deeping's bowling attack as Nettleham made 275-4.
But Deeping battled to a gutsy 207-8 in reply to bag a share of the spoils.
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Weather for Spalding
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
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Wind direction: South west
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Sunny spells
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