Firsts slip closer to the drop zone

The hosts remain second bottom, but are now just six points behind the Mayflower men in a tight relegation race.

The coin came down in favour of Neal Snell, the Grimsby captain, and he opted to bowl on a pitch that looked like it might have a little in it for the bowlers.

The opening pair of Tom Poole and Dave Newman worked hard and waited patiently for bad balls, none of which came from Lee Charlton who bowled tightly and without much luck.

That was until he removed Newman for 19 having him caught in the slips and Boston were on 37-1.

Kieran Evans joined Poole and the two left-handers would have been hoping for another steady partnership.

However, it didn’t go as planned as Evans (0) and Poole (23) were both dismissed in quick succession and Boston were struggling at 46-3.

Ryan Croom joined Boston’s premier batsman Jon Cheer and they set about re-building the innings and ensuring Boston weren’t bowled out cheaply in this must-win game.

They pushed the ball around yet found run-scoring difficult on this pitch and with the poor outfield.

As the pair had settled the innings, it was Croom who fell, being smartly caught behind the stumps by Steven Crossley for 17 off the bowling of Harrison Tice.

Liam Sparke came and went for four, again, caught Crossley and bowled Tice.

Boston were on 84-5 and desperately needed another partnership.

However, it was the complete opposite and Boston lost Cheer after another fantastic catch by Crossley.

“It wasn’t good enough with the bat,” Croom said.

“We gave our wickets away because they frustrated us. They bowled well up top and the spinners came on and did a very good job.”

Peter Mitchell and Scott Elleray picked out the fielders and Boston were at 99-8.

A 20-run partnership between Riley Orr and Tim Bell, of which Orr was the scorer of all 20, gave Boston slight hope until he edged behind.

Orr and Paul Deans added 10 further runs before Deans was adjudged caught behind, leaving Boston 128 all out off the last ball of the 43rd over.

Charlton’s 12 overs saw him record figures of 2-12 and Brown was the pick of the spinners with 5-35 from his 10.

After the tea interval, it was a case of early wickets or no chance for Boston.

Croom’s decision to open with Deans saw Boston slow the pace down straight away.

There wasn’t an early wicket and Boston looked like falling away without a fight.

Grimsby passed 50 and it was then that Orr beat Joe Farmery’s defences and bowled him for 34.

That was immediately followed up by Elleray trapping Snell LBW for 15 and Grimsby were all of a sudden 52-2.

Steven Crossley was joined by Jack Wilson and the pair tried to push the scoreboard along.

The Boston bowlers did very well and restricted Grimsby to very few scoring opportunities.

After a fantastic catch by Croom off the bowling of Bell, Crossley was on his way and Boston picked up their first bowling point.

Charlton and Wilson fell then David White and Tice fell quickly and Grimsby were 106-7.

Brown and Tice then picked up the runs that were required to give Grimsby a 20-point victory over their rivals to the relegation spaces, offering the hosts a boost

Boston man of the match Deans deserves special credit for bowling 15 overs and picking up 4-35 from them.

Boston could only manage four points from this game as rivals Grimsby left with a full 20 points.