With two matches remaining in the 2014 programme, the foot of the table provided the surprise results with Market Rasen recording their first victory to move off the bottom while Grimsby put themselves further away from relegation, writes Ann Boulton.
Spalding were Rasen’s victims, succumbing for just 96 as Tom Borysczuk claimed six wickets for 22. Graeme Bell then got among the runs with 55 to start the celebrations of a seven wicket victory.
Lee Charlton was the stand-out bowler for Grimsby after the home side won the toss and invited Skegness to bat, expecting to have to chase a sizeable total.
However, a wicket with Charlton’s first ball set the scene for the innings with the seasiders unable to build any decent partnerships.
Charlton’s excellent spell culminated in four wickets in four balls – one at the end of an over and a hat trick to start the next – while skipper Steve Crossley held five catches behind the stumps.
Skegness were all out for 115 but Grimsby were made to fight for their runs, losing an early wicket. However, with five down and 30 runs still required, Crossley and Charlton made inroads in the total and Crossley was still there when David Carr replaced Charlton and hit the winning runs for a four wicket win.
Billingborough, who were between Grimsby and Rasen in the table, had less success at Market Deeping where Chris Jones hit 87 to help his side to 182 for nine at the close.
Billingborough then came up against an in-form Tom Andrews who bowled his full 17 overs, giving away just 18 runs and taking five wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 85.
Billingborough and Market Rasen are now on equal points, with Rasen in 11th number of victories.
At the top of the table, Bourne need 20 points from their final two games to lift the championship.
Despite managing only a losing draw at title contenders Bracebridge Heath, the leaders picked up sufficient points to stay well ahead of their two main rivals.
Bracebridge notched up 252, losing their final wicket on the last ball of the innings, with Hymie Bentley contributing 53 and Carl Stubbs 68.
These two shared a stand of 77 after the home side had been reduced to 95 for five and Stubbs put on a further 52 with Matt Carter before falling to Ben Stroud who claimed four wickets.
Bourne suffered a similar fate, losing their first three wickets for 45 runs but an outstanding display of batting from Conrad Louth – who had taken four catches in the first innings - brought a partnership of 128 with Carl Wilson (69). Louth eventually fell to Carter for 106 and the innings closed on 227 for seven, giving Bourne 13 points.
Lindum held on to second place after defeating a lack-lustre Woodhall Spa by eight wickets. Woodhall were bowled out for 128, Karanjit Bansal taking four wickets and going on to hit 73 as Lindum cruised to victory in the 18th over.
This result saw Woodhall slip to fifth place with Sleaford taking over in fourth after a low scoring game at Louth.
Andy Hibberd with 35 and Oliver Burford (34) were the top scorers in Sleaford’s innings of 148, four wickets falling to Nic Keast. Louth also found batting difficult until, at 52 for nine, Jake Sanders joined Arran Brindle. This partnership added 56 before Tim McIntosh bowled Sanders for 21, leaving Brindle unbeaten on 36 and Louth all out for 107.
Results
Market Deeping 182-9 (Jones 87), Billingborough 85 (Andrews 17-7-18-5)
Sleaford 148, Louth 107
Skegness 115 (Charlton 6-34 inc four in four balls, Crossley 5 dismissals), Grimsby 116-6
Spalding 96 (Borysczuk 6-22), Market Rasen 97-3 (Bell 55)
Bracebridge Heath 252 (Bentley 53, Stubbs 68), Bourne 227-7 (Louth 106, Wilson 69)
Woodhall Spa 128, Lindum 132-2 (Bansal 73)