Lincolnshire Premier League cricket round-up
Josh Smith scored his second century of the season as Market Deeping returned to winning ways in the Lincolnshire Premier League on Saturday.
Smith followed up his ton against Long Sutton last month by smashing a rapid century in the home victory over Grimsby Town on Saturday.
The opener blasted 13 fours and four sixes in his 90-ball 103 as Deeping defeated their visitors by eight wickets.
It ensured a fourth league win of the season for Deeping who tasted victory again after back-to-back defeats against Woodhall Spa and Bracebridge.
Grimsby had been bowled out for 159 after being put into bat with skipper James Hook leading the Deeping attack with 4-23 from eight overs.
Reece Plowright also picked up a couple of wickets for Deeping who made a strong start in their reply.
Smith and Connor Gillett had a first wicket stand of 92 before the latter was dismissed for 24.
Smith continued to lead the charge and had taken Deeping to within 10 runs of victory when he was caught by Tom Morris off the bowling of Gary Tillison for 103.
George Woods then guided Deeping home with an unbeaten 24 to boost their confidence ahead of this weekend's derby duel with Bourne.
The Abbey Lawn side were also victorious on Saturday as they defeated visiting Bracebridge Heath by 19 runs in an entertaining contest.
Bourne had batted first and made a strong 260-9 from their 50 overs with solid contributions throughout the order.
Opener Jordan Temple top-scored with 57 while Rob Bentley added 30 with Rob Dunn and Adam Binns scoring 32 and 35 respectively lower down the order.
Sri Lankan ace Avishka Tharindu led the Bracebridge reply as he plundered 21 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 146.
The Lincoln side looked well placed at 182-4 but then lost a flurry of wickets in quick succession as Dan Freeman took a match-winning 5-40 which maintained Bourne's fourth place in the table.
Spalding and Long Sutton are still struggling at the other end of the standings with both yet to record a league win this season.
Spalding lost by four wickets at Nettleham on Saturday despite compiling a healthy 268-7 from their 50 overs.
Nilantha Atapattu top-scored with 73 while Chris Dring was unbeaten on 54 at the close along with Brandon Andrews on 28 not out. Opener Barnaby Dring had earlier made 35.
Nettleham opener Awais Zafar set the tone for their run chase as he smashed 15 fours and seven sixes in his 147.
Oliver Ward (35) shared in a 147-run second wicket stand with Zafar who then added 64 runs with Odin Thomas (28) as Nettleham triumphed in the 43rd over.
Atapattu and Barnaby Dring both collected a couple of wickets each for Spalding who visit Grimsby on Saturday.
Long Sutton lost by eight wickets in their match at Sleaford after being bowled out for 147.
Jacob Gray made 43 not out while Josh Baker added 26 as Sutton recovered from being 35-5 at one stage of their innings.
Sleaford needed less than 20 overs to pass their target though as Daniel Smith smashed 14 fours and two sixes in his 83 not out. Sutton host Scunthorpe this weekend.
