Notts first-class all-rounder has turbocharged Market Deeping, while Bourne, Long Sutton, Uffington and Orton Park also maintain title challenges
Market Deeping’s Lincs Championship South title challenge has been turbocharged by the presence of Notts professional all-rounder Lyndon James.
James has been on secondment at Outgang Road while Notts are on a break from County Championship cricket and he’s gorged on wickets and runs at the considerably lower standard.
It was his batting prowess that set-up a massive 293-run win for the leaders over third-placed Boston last weekend. James smashed 186 from 102 balls (21 4s, 10 6s) before he was the last Deeping man to be dismissed in a 50-over total of 425-9. Overseas pro Muhammad Saleem weighed with a comparatively modest 68 from 50 balls before Saleem (5-31) and Muhammad Salahuddin (3-15) shone with the ball as the visitors were bowled out for 132.
Deeping are now 14 points clear at the top as nearest rivals Newborough went down by 54 runs at Skegness despite the best efforts of Tom Shipman (5-42 & 34).
In the Premier Division second-placed Bourne kept up the pressure on leaders Scunthorpe with a five-wicket win at home to Woodhall Spa with Jack Berry (3-26), Sam Evison (43) and Dan Freeman (2-12 & 35no) their best performers.
Bourne are a point behind Scunthorpe who saw off Burghley Park by 65 runs. Peterborough-man Sam Jarvis scored 90 of Scunthorpe’s 257-5 before Evan Williams struck 61 of Burghley’s reply. Spalding are back in the bottom two after losing a low scoring game 133-80 at home to Grimsby.
Bourne travel to Burghley Park for a local derby on Saturday (11.30am).
Long Sutton are 35 points clear at the top of Division One South after dismissing Heckington for just 45 on the way to an eight-wicket win. James Baker (6-17) did the bulk of the damage.
And Market Deeping seconds emulated their first team by bagging a big win, by 10 wickets at Moulton Harrox seconds, Aqeel Khan claimed 7-22 as Harrox were rushed out for just 57.
Orton Park seconds have won all eight of their completed Division Two South matches, the latest by 51 runs at Baston where Vidit Matta (77no) starred, and Uffington continue to dominate in Division Three South after a four-wicket win in a low scoring game against Nassington seconds. Joe Charlton and Ted Genever each claimed three wickets as Nassington were dismissed for 108.
Orton Park are second, 14 points behind Royal Boston with two games in hand.
Holme are also going well in Division Four after Ian Kendall smacked 151 (119 balls, 22 4s, 4 6s) to set up a big 197-run win over Royal Boston seconds for the team in second.