CRICKET: Pienaar century helps Sleaford CC to victory and third place in league

A third consecutive century for South African professional Obus Pienaar helped Sleaford move up to third place in the ECB Premier League on Saturday when they had the better of their match at Bourne.
Cricket SUS-150806-142520001Cricket SUS-150806-142520001
Cricket SUS-150806-142520001

Meanwhile, in the South Lincs and Border Premier League, against the same opposition, Sleaford recorded a 37 run victory at home.

Sponsored by Baker Plant Hire, Sleaford first XI were asked to bat first by Bourne and were given an excellent start by Matthew Mountain and Thomas Shorthouse who produced an opening partnership of 72, which was broken when Shorthouse was caught at the wicket for 32.

Pienaar joined Mountain and their partnership was to be the one that enabled their side to dominate the game as they added 95 runs for the second wicket, before Mountain departed for an innings of 77 which included 11 fours and a six. Thereafter, the innings was dominated by Pienaar who went on to make a century as his side totalled 258 from their allotted overs.

Bourne’s response never gathered the momentum required for victory but Sleaford were left to rue three missed opportunities which cost them valuable overs to bowl out their opponents. The home side still had one wicket intact at the end of their innings, thus denying Sleaford maximum points. Angus Youles, with four wickets, was Sleaford’s most successful bowler.

In the reverse fixture at Sleaford, the home side, sponsored by Darren Wilson, recorded a 37 run victory in a high scoring encounter.

Batting first, Sleaford made 275 in their allotted 45 overs with Simon Godby making a century and Oliver Bean 61, in a partnership of 144.

In reply, Bourne were up with the required run rate for much of their innings but were eventually undone by Luke Hollingworth who claimed five wickets as the visitors were dismissed for 237 to complete an entertaining match in which both teams played their part.

On Sunday, Sleaford first XI, sponsored by Specsavers, recorded a comfortable five wicket victory against Hartsholme in the Lincoln League Premier Division, whilst Sleaford Academy, sponsored by Turnbulls, beat Woodhall by 42 runs, with Kurt Colyn top scoring with the bat and Ben Hutson and Henno var Vraden both claiming four wickets. Match ball sponsors were the Cook family.

This weekend Sleaford entertain Bracebridge Heath in the ECB Premier League on Saturday whilst in the South Lincs Premier, Sleaford travel to Belton Park. On Sunday, Sleaford Academy entertain Woodhall whilst the first XI travel to Heckington. Home matches start at noon and 2pm respectively and all spectators are welcome. Admission free.

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