Skipper Cheer looks to the positives as Boston CC beaten by Grantham

Jonny Cheer wants Boston CC to take the postives from their defeat to Grantham.

The hosts remain the only unbeaten Lincs ECB Premier side following their 28-run success, but Boston skipper Cheer wants more of the same as his side entertain Bourne at the Mayflower this Saturday (noon).

“We always want to win the game but I think we can be pleased with how we have performed," Cheer said.

"We’ve bowled well, fielded well and in parts batted well and at 56-5, we got stuck in and worked hard to try and get ourselves back in the game.

"Grantham are a very strong side, probably the strongest in the league. They have four very good seamers, two good spinners and bat down to 8/9 in the order. We can certainly take lots of positives from the game today.”

Boston made the journey to title favourites Grantham looking to build on their two consecutive wins over Market Deeping and Sleaford in the previous two weeks.

Cheer, won the toss and elected to field first.

On a pitch that looked a very good cricket wicket, Boston would have been hopeful of picking up early wickets.

Unfortunately for Boston, this wasn’t the case as Carnelly and J. Fell built a steady partnership before Carnelly fell for 30, caught and bowled by Tom Baxter.

Fell was soon dismissed by Martin Hodgson for 44 before Grantham built another healthy partnership.

Coddington and Freeman pushed the ball around taking Grantham to 119 before Tim Bell picked up the wicket of Freeman after a smart catch by Cheer.

Grantham accelerated their scoring rate in the final few overs and Coddington passed 50 while Scott Elleray dismissed Dobson and Footitt.

Grantham ended their 40 overs on 194-5.

“I felt we bowled really well," Cheer said. "It’s the highest score against us this year but it was comfortably the best pitch we’ve been on too – and the outfield was quick.

"We’ve had a settled bowling line up and we’re more geared up to contain than bowl sides out.

“We fielded really well too. We saved lots of runs in the field and on the whole it was a very pleasing half of the game.

"After the interval, Boston set about chasing down their target of 195 to win.

Tim Norris was dismissed early by Freeman and Tom Poole was joined by Cheer and as the partnership was starting to build.

Cheer found the hands of T. Fell at mid-wicket off the bowling of Dobson. Mahir Yousuff was then trapped LBW by Dobson and Boston were struggling at 27-3.

Poole was joined by his brother Matt and the pair knew a partnership was crucial if Boston were to get back in the game.

As a partnership was starting to build, Footitt managed to dismiss both Poole brothers in consecutive balls, leaving Boston on 56-5.

Baxter and Gilding joined each other at the crease and managed to push the score along and gradually build a good partnership.

It wasn’t until the penultimate over of the innings that saw Grantham pick up their next wicket when Baxter was dismissed for 52. Luke Gilding ended the innings 42 not out as Boston ended on 166-6 from their 40 overs.

On Saturday, Boston Seconds also saw their two-game winning run halted by Woodhall Spa Seconds.

Boston posted 131-6 from their 40 overs before Woodhall hit the winning runs with a few overs to spare.

Notable performances came from Ben Troops (54 not out) and Andy Hewitt who bowled his 10 overs, and only conceded seven runs.

The Seconds will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to Spalding next week.