South Lincs and Border League round-up

Blake Wolstenholme top-scored on his debut as Moulton Harrox made a winning start to the South Lincs and Border League season on Saturday.

The Australian hit nine fours and two sixes in his 75 as Harrox beat newly-promoted Burghley Park by 24 runs in their Championship opener.

Wolstenholme also enjoyed a 126-run stand with Josh Newton who made 56 as he picked up where he left off after finishing as the leading run scorer in the Championship last season.

After the duo had departed, wickets fell regularly for Moulton and they finished their innings on 198-9.

Burghley's reply got off to the worst possible start as they tumbled to 17-4 with Matt Rose and Travis Harrison picking up early wickets.

Ryan Gilmour and David Platt started to steady the ship before Gilmour was trapped leg before by Rose to give him his fourth wicket and leave Burghley on 41-5.

Ahsan Azhar was then caught off the bowling of Lee Eyett for 12 while Chris Logan made a quick 20 before becoming Eyett's second victim and bringing the score to 93-7.

Home skipper Alex Ashwin then joined Platt at the crease and the pair looked to take the momentum away from Noulton.

However, with the partnership at just 20, Platt was caught on the pull off the bowling of Robbie Townsend for 39.

Stuart Biggs made 11 before becoming Rose’s fifth Victim, caught behind to leave Burghley on 136-9.

Mohammed Azhar came out to join Ashwin and the pair began to chip away at what would have been a remarkable run chase.

Ashwin bought up a well-made 50 before the dreams of a near miracle were halted when Eyett found the edge of the Burghley captain’s bat for 53 to bowl the hosts out for 174.

Rose was the pick of the Harrox bowling with 5-28, Eyett took 3-16 and there was a wicket apiece for Townsend and Harrison.

Billingborough were also playing their first game back in the top flight following promotion and they lost to Newborough by 100 runs.

Shane George had taken 3-17 to help restrict Newborough to 182-9 but Billingborough were bowled out for 82 in reply as Shaun Brown top-scored with 21.

A terrific spell from Curtis Todd helped Moulton Harrox 2nds to a nine-wicket win over Belton Park in Division Two.

Todd took 5-7 from seven superb overs as Belton were bowled out for 48 with Zak Maddison returning 2-8 from four overs.

Moulton needed less than 12 overs to pass the required target with opener Jamie Juckes leading the charge with 33 not out.

Billingborough 2nds were narrowly beaten by Orton Park in the same division despite an unbeaten century from Chris King.

The opener carried his bat throughout the 45 overs to finish on 113 not out as Billingborough posted 191-6 with Callum Scott also scoring 43.

King then capped a superb all-round performance with 6-31 from nine overs but Orton edged home to a one-wicket win with five balls remaining.