Sleaford CC: Defending champions too strong for First XI

Sleaford Cricket Club's First XI were brushed aside by current Lincs ECB Premier leaders and reigning champions Bracebridge Heath at London Road. Sponsored by Baker Plant Hire, Sleaford were left reeling by Alex Willerton's opening spell which saw them lose four early wickets and leave the visitors firmly in the ascendancy.
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A recovery of sorts was achieved through useful contributions from Andy Hibberd (21), Oliver Burford (31) and Oli Bean (26), but the eventual total of 158 looked unlikely to be enough to threaten a victory.

This proved to be the case as an undefeated 89 from David Whapplington underpinned a comfortable run chase in which Sleaford never threatened a shock win as Heath eased home by seven wickets.

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* At Stamford in the South Lincs and Border Premier League, Sleaford recorded an equally comfortable victory thanks to a fine all-round bowling performance which was then backed up by solid batting.

The home side were asked to bat first after losing the toss and never looked like building a substantial total as Sleaford’s bowlers made regular inroads in to their innings, Ben Hutson and Robert Wigley the principal wicket-takers.

Having dismissed their opponents for 124, Sleaford made short work of their target, taking only 20 overs to register a maximum-points victory as Kurt Colyn top scored with 47.

* In Sunday’s Lincoln Premier League fixture, none of Sleaford’s batsmen played a significant innings despite several of them getting starts.

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A total of 155 proved to be inadequate as Hartsholme’s opening batsman scored an undefeated 74 to steer his side to victory despite four wickets for Angus Youles.

This weekend, Sleaford First XI travel to Louth on Saturday, while Sleaford Academy, sponsored by Turnbulls, entertain Cherry Willingham on Sunday.

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