Billingborough took over once again at the top of South Lincolnshire & Border League Division One and Boston moved into second after Grantham’s game against Belton Park was rained off. The top three are still neck-and-neck but at the bottom Market Deeping’s woes continued when they went down to Boston while Oakham stay in the relegation zone after losing to Billingborough. Long Sutton consolidated their fourth position after a man of the match performance from Paul Deans who hit 50 runs and took five for 33 to help bowl out Bourne. And sixth placed Caythorpe chased Woodhall Spa’s 169 for nine to win by three wickets.

Spalding unseated close rivals Moulton Harrox at the top of Division Two, beating Oakham 2nd while Harrox were going down to Boston 2nd. Thomas Cook stay third after their victory over Caythorpe and in mid table Sleaford Sunday won a low scoring game at Ropsley

Skegness got back to winning ways in Division Three with a win over Baston and Spalding 2nd claimed victory over Moulton Harrox Sunday to stay above their opponents.

Report for July 26/27

Division One’s top three in the South Lincolnshire and Border League remain locked together after a weekend where Billingborough picked up 15 points, Grantham 17 and Boston 20. Billingborough hang on to top place, but less than one per cent now separates them from third placed Boston. Carl Wilson was the day’s top batsman with an unbeaten 129 in Grantham’s high scoring game at home to Woodhall Spa 2^nd. The visitors made 234 for five, a total Grantham knocked off also for the loss of five wickets. Mick Troops took five wickets as Boston bowled Lindum Ramblers out for 146 and went on to win by four wickets. Billingborough failed to bowl out Bourne who made 114 for eight but Dave Newman hit an unbeaten 69 to take his side to a 10-wicket win. Market Deeping remain rooted at the bottom of the table after going down to Caythorpe by eight wickets but Oakham boosted their chances of avoiding relegation with a unexpectedly comprehensive win over fourth placed Long Sutton. This puts Oakham above Sleaford who could only pick up one point in a nine-wicket defeat by Belton Park.

Spalding kept up their Division Two promotion challenge with a 110 run victory over Cavaliers and third placed Thomas Cook got back to winning ways, winning a tight game against Ropsley by just 11 runs. An even closer game between Caythorpe Sunday and Oakham 2^nd saw Caythorpe come out victors by nine runs.

And bottom team Welby pulled off a shock result, beating mid-table Boston 2^nd by 72 runs with David Curran taking six wickets for Welby.

In Division Three, Boston 3^rd celebrated two victories over the weekend, beating Spalding 2^nd on Saturday and Moulton Harrox on Sunday. And Claypole celebrated their second victory in their first season in the league after Matt Ragless hit 91 to help his side to 229 before the final wicket fell. Chris Battle took six for 34 for Long Sutton 2^nd who were then bowled out for 108.

Report for July 19/20

Billingborough took over at the top of Division One of the South Lincolnshire and Border League following a four wicket victory over title contenders Grantham but third placed Boston moved to within 0.75 per cent of the leaders after beating Bourne by just seven runs with only an over to spare. At the bottom of the table, Market Deeping hit the day’s highest total of 206, Richard Witt making an unbeaten 132, but even this proved insufficient to stop Belton Park who replied with 209 for six, Nathan Whales with 83. Belton remain in fifth place as Long Sutton gained sufficient points to hang on in fourth despite going down to Caythorpe. Oakham, who are one above Deeping, went down to an in-form Lindum Ramblers who won by four wickets and are now safely placed in mid-table but Sleaford are not yet out of danger of relegation, having lost by just six runs to Woodhall Spa 2^nd.

In Division Two, Moulton Harrox went to the top of the table after coming away with 20 points from an eight wicket victory over Welby while Spalding picked up 18 against Caythorpe. But third placed Thomas Cook suffered a set back when they suffered a heavy defeat at Boston 2nd. At the other end of the table, Sleaford came off best in a close match against Cavaliers who are now in the bottom two.

Boston 3^rd boosted their challenge for the Division Three title with victory over Blankney. However, Heckington continue to lead the division following an eight wicket win over former contenders Skegness 2^nd who have now slipped to fourth. The mid-table game between Grantham 2^nd and Spalding 2^nd produced the league’s highest scores of the weekend. Grantham made 229 for four and at the close their opponents were just 10 runs short with five wickets down. Lower down the division, Baston went down heavily to Moulton Harrox Sunday, being bowled out for 58 and losing by eight wickets.

Report for July 12/13

Boston got their challenge for South Lincolnshire and Border League honours back on track with a win over Oakham but Grantham continued to dominate the Division One table, beating Bourne 2^nd by seven wickets.

Billingborough suffered their first defeat for several weeks against Long Sutton, who stay fourth. Lindum Ramblers hauled themselves further away from the relegation zone with victories over bottom team Market Deeping 2^nd on Saturday and Belton Park on Sunday.

The status quo was maintained at the top of Division Two where Spalding’s match against Welby was washed out and Moulton Harrox were without a game. But third placed Thomas Cook recorded a good win over Oakham 2^nd who remain fourth while Cavaliers dropped into the bottom two after losing to Ropsley.

Jack Barnett hit the league’s highest score of the day with an unbeaten 82 in Moulton Harrox Sunday’s surprise Division Three defeat of title challengers Skegness. And Heckington top the division following their win over Grantham 2nd. Seven bowlers claimed five wicket hauls or higher, Robert Noble of Sleaford taking seven for 20 in division two and James Dewhurst six for 38 for Lindum Ramblers.

Report for July 5/6

Grantham and Billingborough have emerged as main contenders for the South Lincolnshire & Border League championship following Billingborough’s win over former leaders Boston. The village side inflicted a 111 run defeat on Boston, Jon Lamyman taking six for 27 after David Gollop had hit 51 in Billingborough’s innings of 188 for nine. Grantham overcame Oakham by five wickets to pick up maximum points while Belton Park stayed in fifth place after a six wicket win over Lindum Ramblers. And Long Sutton consolidated their four place with a four wicket victory over Woodhall Spa 2^nd who are hovering just above the relegation zone. Cliff Spinks made a half century in Bourne 2nd’s nine wicket defeat of Caythorpe and Sleaford added to bottom team Market Deeping 2^nd’s woes by claiming a five wicket victory.

Paul Menzies hit the league’s only century of the day, making an unbeaten 104 in a welcome win for Boston 2^nd, currently bottom of Division Two, over fellow strugglers Ropsley. A hard fought game between Thomas Cook and Cavaliers, which saw two half centuries in each side, saw the latter claim a two wicket victory with a scrambled single and a narrowly avoided run out off the last ball of the innings. And Caythorpe Sunday failed by just three runs to overtake Ropsley’s score of 110 in a match reduced to 32 overs a side.

In Division Three, leaders Skegness boosted their promotion hopes with an eight wicket win over Claypole while Long Sutton 2^nd opened the gap over the bottom two with a seven wicket victory against Grantham 2^nd for whom Dominic Priestley made the division’s top score of 64 not out.

Report for June 28/29

Boston suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Belton Park in Division One of the South Lincolnshire & Border League, opening the door for Grantham to take over the lead following their victory over Market Deeping 2nd. Daniel Turner and Tim Jack both hit half centuries as Belton Park reached 196 for seven before bowling Boston out for 104. Grantham also had two half century makers in Jonathan Birkin (61) and Andrew Mudie (51) who helped the total to 230 for three. But the visitors were unable to bowl out their hosts who finished on 150 for eight. Billingborough kept up their challenge with a six wicket win over Woodhall Spa and Bourne continued their climb up the table in the closest match of the day against Sleaford. Bourne reached 175 for eight despite a five wicket haul for Richard Flower but 76 from Martyn Miles saw Sleaford closing in on the total and the visitors were just six runs short when the final wicket fell in the last over of their innings. Long Sutton stay fourth after Chris Booth had hit 80 in their score of 201 for seven and Tom Dale took five for 41 as Lindum Ramblers were all out for 74.

In Division Two, Moulton Harrox took advantage of Spalding’s lack of a match to move to the top of the table after beating Cavaliers. Jack Barnett hit 60 and Lee Atkin 64 of Harrox’ total of 245 and Cavaliers were then restricted to 100 for seven. Thomas Cook’s hopes of a place in the top two suffered a blow when they went down to bottom team Boston 2nd for whom Tim Taylor made 74 in an innings of 201 for eight. Josh Butler then took five for 53 as Thomas Cook were bowled out for 180. Chris Bates hit Division Two’s highest score of 93 for Caythorpe Sunday who made 210 for eight. In reply, Sleaford Sunday reached 175 for nine.

The top of the table clash in Division Three left Grantham 2nd and Skegness neck and neck after the seasiders went down by 10 runs in a low scoring match. Grantham made 128 all out but Skegness could only reach 118 when their final wicket fell. Heckington moved into third place with a win over Blankney who slipped to fifth after Sam Elliott had taken five for 11 to help bowl them out for 120, a total Heckington overtook for the loss of three wickets. Paul Menzies hit the only century of the day with an unbeaten 103 that took Boston to 227 for two. In reply, Claypole made 185 for six, keeping Boston in fourth place in the table. Spalding 2nd also topped the 200 mark, finishing 209 for seven to beat Long Sutton 2nd who finished on 150 for nine. Moulton Harrox recorded their second win of the season when they bowled Baston out for 83, a total Harrox knocked off for the loss of three wickets.

Report for June 21/22

Just one game was played on Saturday throughout the three divisions of the South Lincolnshire & Border League. At St Giles Avenue, Lindum Rambers took on Bourne in a match reduced to 30 overs a side, the home side notching up a competitive 167 for seven. In reply, Bourne fell 22 short of their target, also for the loss of seven wickets. This victory boosted Ramblers up to seventh in the table, a leap of three places but pushed Bourne down by two to ninth.

In Division Two, both Sunday games were completed and brought welcome wins for Sleaford Sunday and Cavaliers, who are fighting to stay out of the relegation zone. Sleaford beat Rospley convincingly after the village side were bowled out for 87 with James Smith hitting 66 to help his team to victory. And Cavaliers lost four wickets chasing Caythorpe Sunday’s total of 64.

There were celebrations at Long Sutton where Moulton Harrox Sunday won their first Division Three game since joining the league at the start of the season. Prior to this weekend, Harrox had just five points to their name – they now have 25 and are back in contention with the rest of the division after bowling their hosts out for 141 and going on to win by three wickets.

Report for June 14/15

An eventful weekend in the South Lincolnshire and Border League saw a tied game, a hat-trick and two matches won off the last ball of the innings. The first tight victory was at Long Sutton where Boston were left chasing 157 and managed it off the final ball of the 45th over with just one wicket standing, Paul Deans taking 5-33 for Long Sutton.

All the other excitement was in Division Three – and much of it at Blankney where, in a game reduced to 30 overs a side, Matthew Harland took a hat-trick in his five for 24 to restrict the home side to 84 for nine. Grantham 2nd then won off the last ball of the final over. And at Spalding, Skegness were bowled out for 153 – and Spalding’s last wicket fell on the same score.

Boston’s win in Division One enabled them to draw further away at the top of the table after Grantham failed to gain maximum points at home to Lindum Ramblers. The Lincoln side finished on 159 for eight, denying their opponents, who went on to win by five wickets, maximum bowling points. But Billingborough continue to threaten after Simon Godby hit 80 in their total of 192 for six and Paddy Chessum then took five for 26 to help bowl Sleaford out for 65. Elsewhere, Oakham went down by seven wickets to Caythorpe and Bourne beat Belton Park.

Division two leaders Moulton Harrox and Spalding both scored convincing victories, 18-year-old Jack Barnett making the day’s only century, reaching 104 and Gary Bates contributing 55 to Harrox’ total of 217 for five. Cavaliers were then bowled out for 78. Spalding, however, failed to pick up maximum points when Boston 2nd hung on to their last wicket to finish 116 for nine, Simon Jukes taking five for 24. Jukes then made an unbeaten 74 as Spalding cruised to a 10 wicket victory. And third placed Thomas Cook kept up their challenge, scoring 178 for eight and bowling Welby out for 147. On Sunday, Boston fell victim to two of Sleaford Sunday’s up-and-coming juniors, 16-year-old Tom Best hitting his maiden half-century for the club and going on to make 74 of his side’s otal of 180 for five. Then Adam Smith, also 16, returned figures of four for 16 off his 12 overs as Boston were bowled out for 121.And Caythorpe beat Ropsley by five wickets, Currall hitting 51 of Ropsley’s 150 for six and Chris Morris scored 57 in Caythorpe’s victory.

In the remaining games in Division Three, Boston 3rd made 180 for seven, then bowled Long Sutton out for 100 and Will Charlesworth hit 74 as Heckington overtook Baston’s 173 for nine to win by four wickets. Grantham kept up their challenge for a place in the top two with an eight wicket win over Moulton Harrox Sunday who were bowled out for 161. Andrew Mudie then hit 89 and Carl Wilson 54 to take their side to victory.

Report for June 7/8

The anticipated South Lincolnshire and Border League top of the table clash between Boston and Grantham fell victim to the weather, giving third placed Billingborough the opportunity to move closer to second place following their victory over Sleaford 2^nd. Dave Newman put in another man of the match performance with an innings of 55 as Billingborough reached 186-6 and Newman then took five for 20 as Sleaford were all out for 73. And at the foot of the table, Bourne defeated Market Deeping to move further above their opponents and ease relegation worries.

Rain also washed out the Division Two top of the table game between Oakham 2^nd and Spalding where no play was possible. However, Thomas Cook moved into the third place after beating Cavaliers by 62 runs, Vinit Shah hitting 82 and Peter Gibbons taking five for 22 for the victors. A hat trick for Sean Moore sealed a 53-run victory for Boston 2^nd who, having scored 158 all out with Steve Cook taking five for 50, bowled out Ropsley for 105, Moore taking the last three wickets in three balls. On Saturday, Caythorpe Sunday lost only three wickets chasing Oakham 2^nd total of 137 for eight but on Sunday were bowled out for 87 by Welby who went on to win by 10 wickets, Michael Whatton taking four wickets and hitting 58 runs.

And a low scoring Division Three game at Baston saw the home side out for 58, a total Boston 3^rd overtook for the loss of five wickets.

Report for May 31/June 1

Grantham got back to winnings ways in South Lincolnshire and Border League Division One with a convincing win over Oakham for whom Chris Larsen hit 62 of his team’s total of 131 all out. Joe Farmer took five for 25 for Grantham who then claimed a seven wicket victory. This keeps up Grantham’s challenge for honours after Boston’s Sunday match against Belton Park was rained off. And Billingborough remain third and still in contention after a four wicket win over Ramblers who were bowled out for 119. At the bottom of the table, Market Deeping celebrated their first win of the season, beating fourth placed Long Sutton who were all out for 87, chasing Market Deeping’s 141 all out, Barry Stanway taking six Deeping wickets. However, Deeping still stay bottom after 11th placed Bourne triumphed over Woodhall 2nd. Cliff Spinks’ 90 helped Bourne to 171 and Xanti Xipu then took five for 20 as Woodhall were all out for 82.

Spalding and Moulton Harrox continue to dominate Division Two, both sides having dropped only three points so far this season. Jamie Jukes was the architect of Spalding’s win over Cavaliers, bowling 12 overs, 11 of which were maidens and taking two wickets for just one run. This restricted Cavaliers to 73 all out, a total Spalding overtook for the loss of just two wickets. Moulton Harrox had a harder time chasing a slightly higher total as Ropsley made 103 before the final wicket fell. Moulton Harrox then lost seven wickets before claiming victory. Luke Endley hit an unbeaten 53 and Matt Adams took five for 22 for Caythorpe Sunday as they overcame Boston 2nd and Oakham beat Sleaford Sunday by seven wickets after Jamie Oakley’s five for 44 had reduced Sleaford to 189 all out, of which Gavin Hutson hit 79. James Booth also made an unbeaten 79 for Oakham.

Blankney remain unbeaten in Division Three following their latest victory, this time over Long Sutton 2nd. Simon Behan hit an unbeaten 89 and Lee Allman 50 in Blankney’s 182 for three, then Ian Holvey took five for 15 as Long Sutton were all out for 67. Grantham 2nd challenge stalled at the hands of Boston 3rd who made 160 then bowled their opponents out for 138. Baston celebrated their first victory of the season after making 144, Liam Davies hitting 54, and bowling Spalding 2nd out for 76, Steve Richardson taking five for 19. And Heckington successfully chased Claypole’s 162 for eight to win by seven wickets.

* All Sunday matches in all three divisions abandoned.

Report for May 24/25

Long Sutton’s victory over Grantham in Division One of the South Lincolnshire and Border League leaves Boston the only undefeated team in the top flight. At Grantham, Martin Parmley hit 72 of the home side’s total of 192 for seven which Long Sutton overtook for the loss of five wickets, Josh Newton making 76. Meanwhile, in a low scoring match at Sleaford, Richard Flower took five for 27 as Boston were all out for 153 before bowling their opponents out for 125. Dave Newman added another century to his growing total, hitting an unbeaten 106 to take Billingborough to a 10-wicket win over Market Deeping 2nd whose 45 overs ended on 141 for nine. Two half centuries at Bourne for Paul Haynes (59) and Kevin Huxtable (51) saw Oakham overtake their hosts’ total of 204 for seven and win by three wickets. And Lindum Ramblers, chasing Woodhall Spa’s 183 for seven, fell 21 runs short.

In Division Two, a nail-biter between Boston 2nd and Oakham saw the Rutland side sneak home by just one wicket. Boston set a challenging total of 232, John Horton hitting 70 and Steve Elleray 65 while for Oakham Chris Hallam made 78. Wickets tumbled at Thomas Cook’s ground as Welby were all out for 47 and the home side lost seven wickets overtaking this total. In contrast, Moulton Harrox hosted two centuries, Matt Stock of Ropsley hitting 111 in his side’s total of 200 for four while Matt Barnett saw his side to a six-wicket victory with 104 not out.

Tim Pashen was Division Three’s man of the weekend, taking five for 21 for Skegness as Long Sutton 2nd reached 204 for nine. Pashen then batted his way to 99 to help the visitors to a five-wicket win but was denied his century when he was clean bowled by James Booth. Claypole met their match at home to Grantham 2nd who notched up 183 for six then bowled the home side out for 55, Austen Imber taking five for 21. Spalding bowled Boston 3rd out for 53 and went on to win by six wickets while Baston found some batting form when Guy Cunningham hit 51 to help them to 159 for eight. However, Lee Allman and Simon Behan with 81 and 55 respectively, saw Blankney to a seven wicket win.

Report for May 17/18

Boston made it five Division One wins in a row with a convincing victory over Market Deeping in the South Lincolnshire and Border League, keeping up the pressure on top placed Grantham who were without a game. Alan Mountford became the season’s first double century maker with an unbeaten 201 and Jonathan Cheer hit his first ton of the season to take Boston to 341 declared without loss. But despite having 47 overs in which to dismiss their opponents Boston could only restrict Deeping to 153 for five, Frank Gloster making an unbeaten 43. Billingborough also completed their 45 overs without conceding a wicket as, having bowled Oakham out for 140, of which Sam Wills hit 41, Dave Newman made 103 not out and in partnership with John Mountain (26no) saw his side to a 10 wicket victory. Long Sutton picked up valuable points with a 45 run win over Bourne 2^nd. Josh Newton contributed 57 to a comparatively low score of 141 at Paradise Field but Bourne fared even worse, being bowled out for 96. Ramblers’ fortunes took a turn for the better as they notched up 223 for eight at home to Sleaford, David Elworthy unbeaten on 88. Mark Evans then took five for 42 as Sleaford were restricted to 151 for seven. Jamie Redmile added another 84 runs to his ever-growing total as Caythorpe reached 183 before the final wicket fell and Luke Endley followed this with a haul of five for 29 as Belton Park were all out for 99. And on Sunday, Belton Park suffered a second defeat at the hands of Woodhall Spa 2^nd who chased 160 for seven to win by eight wickets.

In Division Two, Spalding kept up their challenge for honours with a three wicket win in a low scoring match at Welby. A haul of seven for 28 for Chris Page saw the home side all out for 70 but Spalding conceded seven wickets overtaking this total. A tight game at Ropsley saw the home side win by just 10 runs. Matt Stock was the division’s only century maker with an unbeaten 112 in Ropsley’s total of 187 all out while Graham Cooper made 69 for Oakham. And Dave Robinson hit 75 for Cavaliers who reached 182 for six while for Boston 2^nd Tim Bell made 70 as his side reached 154 for nine at the close. A wet pitch forced the cancellation of the match between Thomas Cook and Moulton Harrox.

Division Three newcomers Claypole celebrated their first victory in the league after notching up 213 against Boston 3^rd, Graham Revill hitting 46 and Josh Butler taking five for 16 for Boston. Dean Revill then took five for 26 as Boston were all out for 114. Dave Bradshaw was the unluckiest batsman of the day, out for 97 as Heckington ended their overs on 179 for six, a total Spalding 2^nd couldn’t match despite an innings of 59 from H Walkers, their final wickets falling on 122. At Grantham, Andrew Barnes hit 65 and John Birkin 63 as the home side made 252 all out. Lewis Dann then took five for 19 as Long Sutton 2^nd were all out for 96. And on Sunday, Grantham added more points to their total with a 50 run win over Moulton Harrox.

Report for May 10/11

Grantham and Boston marched on unbeaten at the top of the South Lincolnshire and Border League Division One after victories over Woodhall Spa and Ramblers respectively. Boston recorded the highest score of the day, making 288 for seven, Alan Mountford hitting 118 and Jonathan Cheer and Tom Baxter making 78 and 67. Mick Troops then took five for 24 as the Lindum side were all out for 158. In a much lower scoring affair at Jubilee Park, Woodhall could reach only 127, a total Grantham overtook for the loss of three wickets. Almost 450 runs were scored at Bourne where Chris Dring hit 61 of the home side’s 222 for nine, a total the visitors overtook for the loss of five wickets, Dave Newman making 74. At Outgang Road, Market Deeping failed by 14 runs to reach Caythorpe’s score of 155 of which Jamie Redmile hit 58. And Will Stuart-Jones steered Oakham to a five-wicket win over Long Sutton with an innings of 56. On Sunday, Tim Jack hit 68 as Belton Park reached 195 before bowling out Sleaford for 139.

In Division Two, Ropsley scored an unexpected victory over Cavaliers after falling to a modest 126 all out, Matt Stock making 60. Ian Jones then took six for 16 as Cavaliers were bowled out for 73. Spalding bowled Oakham 2nd out for 138 and Simon Juckes 66 saw them to a five wicket win while Sleaford Sunday were unable to match Welby’s 134, Ian Whatton taking five for 25 as the visitors were all out for 111.

Heckington and Long Sutton fought out a high scoring Division Three match at Paradise Field where the visitors notched up 212 for six, James Hutchinson hitting 86. Adam Wright then made 95 and Mark Wright an unbeaten 52 as the home side fell just 12 runs short for the loss of four wickets. Spalding 2nd suffered at the hands of Skegness who made 206 despite a haul of six for 45 for Andrew Hardstaff. Jason Elsom hit an unbeaten 57 for the seasiders who then bowled their opponents out for just 23, Steve O’Dare with five for 10 and Troy Silvester claiming five for 12. Blankney scored a 10 wicket win over Moulton Harrox Sunday after Barry King had taken five for 25 to help bowl the home side out for 77. And Boston 3rd made it a good weekend for the club with a six wicket victory over Grantham 2nd who, on Sunday, went on to record an eight wicket win over Baston.

Preview for May 10/11

Grantham are the early leaders in the South Lincolnshire and Border League Division One, with Boston breathing down their necks in second place. Both sides have won all three of their opening games and will be looking to build on this good start. The leaders travel to Woodhall Spa while Boston are at home to Lindum Ramblers and just below them, last year’s champions Long Sutton make the journey to Oakham. Caythorpe and Market Deeping occupy the bottom places, both having yet to record a victory, but this will change when the two sides meet at Outgang Road. Bourne are also without a win and will be aiming to rectify this situation when they take on Billingborough at Abbey Lawn. On Sunday, fourth plays fifth as Sleaford are the guests at Belton Park.

In Division Two, Oakham 2nd have the chance to catch up on leaders Moulton Harrox who are without a game. Oakham travel to Spalding who lie third, only a fraction behind their opponents while fourth placed Cavaliers entertain Ropsley. Welby and Sleaford, who occupy seventh and eighth places meet at Welby.

League newcomers Skegness have made a good start to their Division Three campaign, lying second after two games, just behind Blankney who have played only one. Both are in action this weekend, Skegness at home to ninth placed Spalding 2nd and Blankney visiting mid-table Moulton Harrox. Steve O’Dare will be looking to build on his previous bowling performances for Skegness which have brought him to five wicket hauls. Grantham 2nd will attempt to play their first match of the season when they entertain Boston 3rd who are third in the table while fourth placed Long Sutton 2nd are home to Heckington. Grantham are also in action on Sunday, catching up on their fixtures with a visit to Baston who, despite two defeats, have picked up enough points to lie fifth in the table.

Division One

Saturday May 10: Boston v Ramblers; Bourne 2 v Billingborough; Market Deeping 2 v Caythorpe; Oakham v Long Sutton; Woodhall Spa 2 v Grantham.

Sunday May 11: Belton Park v Sleaford 2.

Division Two

Saturday May 10: Cavaliers v Ropsley; Spalding v Oakham 2; Welby v Sleaford Sunday.

Division Three

Saturday May 10: Grantham 2 v Boston 3; Long Sutton 2 v Heckington; Moulton Harrox Sunday v Blankney; Skegness 2 v Spalding 2.

Sunday May 11: Baston v Grantham 2

Review for May 3/4

Boston marched on with their third win in succession in Division One of the South Lincolnshire and Border League, defeating Bourne 2nd by six wickets, Tom Baxter hitting an unbeaten 57 for the victors. Mbulelo Nkomo hit the highest total of the day, falling just four short of his century to help Grantham to 146 all out. But Simon Godby was also on good batting form, contributing 54 as Billingborough failed by just eight runs to reach their opponents’ total.An even closer game saw Oakham triumph by just three runs over Lindum Rambers after being bowled out for a modest 116. Long Sutton and Belton Park both scored convincing victories over Caythorpe and Market Deeping 2nd respectively, Nathan Whales taking five for 13 for Belton to help bowl Deeping out for 79. But Sleaford 2nd pushed Woodhall Spa 2nd as, chasing 150, they lost their last wicket on 133.

A five-wicket haul for Andy Ainscough in Division Two helped Oakham 2nd to a 51 run victory over Ropsley who were bowled out for 130. David Robinson put in a man of the match performance for Cavaliers who were held to 112 for nine by Welby. Robinson hit 54 of these runs and went on to take four wickets for seven runs as Welby were all out for 66. A half century for Jack Barnett helped Moulton Harrox for a six wicket win over Caythorpe Sunday who were bowled out for 107. And Thomas Cook’s first outing of the season brought a six wicket victory over Sleaford Sunday, Gibbons taking five for 19 and Kennedy hitting an unbeaten 91.

In Division Three, Steve O’Dare doubled his haul of wickets for the season with five for 31 for new league entrants Skegness who made 115 before bowling Baston out for 52. But fellow newcomers Claypole went down by six wickets to Blankney for whom Lee Allman hit an unbeaten 56. And Moulton Harrox bowled out Boston 3rd for 109 but were still 19 runs short of their target when their final wicket fell.

Review for April 26/27

South Lincolnshire and Border League champions Long Sutton suffered their first defeat of 2008 in only the second week of the season, after losing just one match in the whole of the previous year. Billingborough, who finished third, bowled their visitors out for 123 before going on to win in their Division One encounter by a slender two-wicket margin despite the efforts of Tom Dale who took five for 24. Sleaford 2nd recorded their second outright win, thanks in part to a six-wicket haul from Bryan Smith. Playing at Caythorpe, Sleaford made 153 for seven and despite an unbeaten 69 from 18-year-old James Redmile, the home side were bowled out for 126. Boston also picked up points once again in a high scoring and tight game at Oakham where Lee Brooks’ unbeaten 62 saw the visitors to 211 for nine. Oakham then came within 16 runs of the visitors’ total, Sam Wills making 78 not out. Things were even closer at Belton Park where the home side reached 157 for nine, Danny Wells taking five for 48. In reply, Woodhall Spa fell just six runs short of victory, losing their last wicket on 151. John Farrell hit the highest individual total of the day, his 91 helping Ramblers to 195 against Market Deeping. Nick Andrews made 65 for Deeping but five wickets for Phil Lawson saw Deeping all out for 144. Mbulelo Nkomo made 71 and Carl Wilson 54 as Grantham reached 230 for eight before bowling Bourne 2nd out for 104.

In Division Two, Thomas Cook were no match for Spalding’s bowlers as, chasing their opponents total of 141 for six, they were all out for 73. And in Boston’s 2nd XI match, Colin Saville’s five for 14 restricted the home side to 91, a total Moulton Harrox overtook for the loss of six wickets.

It was a bowler’s game at Long Sutton in Division Three where Baston’s Tim Dyer took six for 18 as the home side were all out for 102. But Paul Deans then claimed five for 26 as Baston were all out for 67. Heckington fared even worse at the hands of league newcomers Skegness, collapsing to 37 all out - Steve O’Dare taking five for 11 - a total the home side overtook for the loss of three wickets.

Review for April 19

Only one game fell victim to the recent damp weather with Caythorpe forced to call off against Bourne 2nd.

Elsewhere, bowlers Barry Stanway too six wickets and Joe Farmer five and Jonathan Cheer hit the day’s only half century for Boston who got their quest for a return to Premier League cricket off to a good start with a five wicket victory over 2007 title contenders Billingborough. Boston were denied maximum bowling points when the away side hung on to their last wicket to finish 150 for nine but Cheer’s performance helped them to a five wicket win. Champions Long Sutton also opened their 2008 account with a win, beating Woodhall Spa 2nd by six wickets, Barry Stanway taking six for 29 as the visitors were bowled out for 114. Sleaford made an even better start, dismissing Market Deeping for 118 and winning by seven wickets. And Joe Farmer’s five for 34 helped Grantham to victory over Belton Park, who also defended their final wicket to make 108 for nine, a total Grantham overtook for the loss of only two wickets.

Preview for weekend of April 19/20

The admission of three new teams has enabled the South Lincolnshire and Border League to go into the 2008 season with three divisions. It is four years since the league reduced to two divisions. But the demotion of Boston from the Lincolnshire ECB Premier League, successful applications from new names Skegness and Claypole and the formation of a second SLBL XI by up-and-coming club Moulton Harrox brought the numbers up to 32. It is a special year for Moulton Harrox who celebrate the 60th anniversary of their re-constitution following World War II. Over the past year, the club has achieved ECB Clubmark accreditation, has installed an artificial wicket on the cricket square and has seen its junior academy grow rapidly with almost 200 young players now registered. This year they will be looking for promotion to Division One, something they narrowly missed out in 2007. SLBL champions Long Sutton lost only one match last year but were chased hard by Oakham and Billingborough. And with Boston no doubt keen to bounce back into the top flight, Division One could be a hard-fought competition in 2008. Oakham are without a game in the first Saturday but Long Sutton’s defence of their title starts against Woodhall Spa while Boston face a tough game at home to Billingborough.

Divisions Two and Three, with only 10 teams each, get under way on April 26, though Division Two sees one match this weekend when Sleaford Sunday take on Moulton Harrox 1st XI.

April 19 fixtures (1pm start)

DIVISION ONE

Boston v Billingborough

Caythorpe v Bourne

Grantham v Belton Park

Long Sutton v Woodhall Spa

Sleaford v Market Deeping

Sunday April 20 (1pm start)

DIVISION TWO

Sleaford Sunday v Moulton Harrox