Berry bonanaza and captain’s knock keep Bourne on track for top spot

Jack Berry claimed eight wickets for Bourne against Louth.

The local lads boast a healthy 31-point lead with just three matches to go after defeating a talented Louth side by six wickets at the Abbey Lawns. It wasn’t always plain sailing though as Bourne slipped to 20-2 and 67-3 in pursuit of 210 before Morgan (91) and recent Lincolnshire cap Carl Wilson (65no) added 121 for the fourth wicket.

Defeat would have harsh on Berry who claimed 8-95 in 17 overs, his best figures at Premier Division level. Closest pusuers Bracebridge Heath also won, but Bourne would have to slip up badly if they are to fail to collect their first Premier Division crown since 2010.

Market Deeping had their eyes on top spot not so long ago, but a third straight defeat yesterday has left them languishing in sixth place, just four points ahead of Spalding who asmashed Grimsby by 86 runs.

Professional Mel Adatia (5-38) performed well for Deeping as Lincoln were dismissed for 199, but once opener Chris Jones (26) and number three Dave Sargeant (23) lost their wickets, the rest of the Deeping batting followed tamely.

Henry Charlton (75) and Josh Newton (67) batted superbly as Spalding reached 277-8 against Grimsby. Thivanka Rajaratne (5-27) and Warren Nel (4-50) then hustled Grimsby out for 191.

Results

BOURNE beat LOUTH by 6 wkts

Louth 210 (A. Wettasinghe 86, J. Berry 8-95).

Bourne 212-5 (P. Morgan 91, C. Wilson 65no, C. Louth 20).

LINCOLN beat MARKET DEEPING by 80 runs

Lincoln 199 (L. Robinson 64, M. Adatia 5-38, T. Andrews 3-42).

Market Deeping 119 (C. Jones 26, D. Sargeant 23, K. Bansal 4-33, J. Miller 4-39).

SPALDING beat GRIMSBY by 86 runs

Spalding 277-8 (H. Charlton 75, J. Newton 67, N. Jayasena 40, C. Kearns 28, T. Rajaratne 21).

Grimsby 191 (J. Farmery 70, T. Rajaratne 5-27, W. Nel 4-50).