Bourne take control of top-flight title race, Market Deeping are Championship champions and Aussie fires Newborough to victory
Bourne have assumed pole position ahead of their decisive final day Lincs Premier Division clash against title rivals Scunthorpe at the Abbey Lawn next Saturday (September 12, 11.30am)
As Bourne were thrashing Sleaford by eight wickets, Scunthorpe, who started the day on top, were losing by five wickets at Lindum. That leaves the local side 15 points clear going into the last game of season when a win, or a defeat with decent bonus points, would be enough to claim the title for the first time since 2022.
Jack Berry was the slow bowling star for Bourne at Sleaford. He took 5-25 from eight overs and three balls while youngster Ruben Baker chipped in with 3-19 as the hosts were rushed out for just 92.
Bourne lost two early wickets in reply but opener Sam Evison (40no) and captain Dan Freeman (23no) saw them home with no more alarms in under 12 overs.
Spalding have been relegated despite winning their penultimate game at home to bottom club Grantham by seven wickets. Barnaby Dring and Walter Kinlock each picked up three wickets as Grantham were dismissed for 126. Divyeash Vaseeharan (55no) dominated Spalding’s reply.
Fourth-placed Burghley Park lost by six runs in a low-scoring contest at Bracebridge Heath. Peter Ruffell bagged 4-16 as the home side were bowled out for 102, but that proved enough.
Market Deeping will replace Spalding in the top-flight next season after a one-year absence. They sealed top spot in the Championship South division with a game to spare with a 102-run win at Moulton Harrox as pro Muhammed Saleem (52) and Danny Iqbal (3-7) starred.
Newborough will finish second after winning by six wickets at Boston. An outstanding unbeaten 124 from Aussie import Jack Stokes from 111 balls saw Newborough past Boston’s 230-5.
Long Sutton still have work to do to take the Division One South title. Sutton have won 12 and lost one of their 14 fixtures to hold a 13-point lead over Freiston with two matches to go. Jake Burton (4-15) impressed in an eight-wicket win at Burghley Park seconds. Sutton travel to Freiston next Saturday.
Castor are fourth after a 70-run win at Billingborough. Reece Smith (77) and Stuart Dockerill (61) did the bulk of the scoring in Castor’s 171. Smith then went on to take 4-17.
Orton Park seconds have won Division Two South. They celebrated with a 114-run win over Long Sutton seconds which featured 95 from Vidit Matta, half centuries for Darren Sweary and Harry Richardson, plus 6-62 from Adam Boothman.
Uffington had clinched the Division Three title last weekend.