Hartsholme keep up their pursuit of Lincolnshire League championship

Hartsholme maintained their push for the Lincolnshire League title thanks to a six-wicket win over relegation battlers Alford.

Alkborough regained their place at the top with a six-wicket home win over Cleethorpes 2nds.

However, it was Hartsholme who continue to breathe down their necks thanks to their victory over Alford.

Alford could have been forgiven for thinking the 248-run target they set sixth-placed Hartsholme would be sufficient.

However, the Lincoln side's batsmen responded superbly to the challenge, helping their side collect 19 points out of a possible 20 and strengthen their bid for the championship.

Alford's 247 for nine, in 50 overs, featured 46 from opener Wayne Garlick, 41 by the experienced Neil Calvert, 34 from Ross Dixon and 28 and 27 not out respectively from the two Toms – Stocks and White. A whopping 41 extras were also added to the batsmen's efforts.

Needing a good start, Hartsholme were given a very impressive one by openers Tim Shooter (83) and Adrian Bunn (34), who put on 124.

The departure of Bunn brought in-form Australian Daniel Odd to the crease, and he made 59.

Skipper Nathan Poundall then saw his team home with 2.4 overs to spare, and six wickets in hand, making an undefeated 38.

Haxey took maximum points from their home game with fourth-from-bottom Barton Town.

The highly-coveted match double of a century and five wickets is something of a rarity in the top flight.

But South Kelsey's Sri Lankan overseas all-rounder Chandi Wathukarage managed it during the convincing home win over fellow title-chasers Horncastle – scoring exactly 100 and going on to claim five for 18.

Kelsey posted a very handy 247 for nine, despite the efforts of Julian Lovely (six for 41).

But Horncastle came nowhere near in reply, being dismissed for 114 as Chandi showed his worth.

Lol Waghorn's Kelsey now find themselves in second spot, while Mick Devereux's Horncastle slip to fifth.

Broughton's situation at the foot of the table failed to improve when they lost heavily at home to Bracebridge Heath 2nds, who have now put some daylight between themselves and the bottom two.

Bracebridge's daunting 280 for seven featured 113 from George Neal – before he was run out – and 99 from Stuart Fraser-Cattanach, who was dismissed by Paul Reed with a century in his sights.

They shared a stand of 176 for the third wicket.

Broughton were dismissed for 121, which included 52 at the top of the order from Matt Hammond, as Oliver Bentley claimed four for 17.

With Division One leaders Scunthorpe Town not in action, second-placed Cleethorpes 3rds took full advantage by winning their derby game at Holton-le-Clay and closing the gap at the top to just one point from the same number of games played.

Outstanding personal performances by left-arm bowler Liam McAnaney and big-hitting batsman Andy Lawson helped Outcasts secure an excellent six-wicket victory away to promotion-chasing Cherry Willingham.

For Cherry, Graham Priestley finished with three for 40.

That 15-point success leaves Outcasts a comfortable 40 clear of the danger zone.

All-rounder Kieran Watson, aged 16, made 32 not out and took four for 29 as mid-table Appleby-Frodingham 2nds won their home match with lowly Grimsby Town 2nds by 31 runs.

In Division Two a century from Lee Maddock was the highlight for leaders Hykeham who hosted Hartsholme 2nds and clinched a 62-run victory.

Louth 2nds, who are second, secured a 14-run home win over Keelby to stretch their unbeaten home league run to 31 matches.

Messingham 2nds – the third-placed side – might feel a shade disappointed to take 15 points (rather than have the chance to play for the full 20) from their scheduled home game with bottom-placed Holton-le-Clay 2nds, who failed to raise a side for their scheduled trip to Northfield Road.

However, league rules state that when a club fails to fulfil a fixture due to a shortage of players, 15 points will be credited to the team winning by default, with the offending side being docked five – plus incurring a fine. Caistor 2nds (fourth) comfortably won at home to Owmby (fourth from bottom).