Sleaford began their defence of the Winkworth T20 Cup by hosting the Group 3 preliminary matches at London Road on Saturday, paired with Nettleham and Market Deeping. Our two opponents faced off in the opening round robin match with Deeping claiming victory by 18 runs, meaning Sleaford would face Nettleham in the second fixture. Nettleham could only manage a well below par total of 66 for 5 from their 20 overs with skipper Tom Shorthouse claiming 2 for 7 and overseas pro, Henry Cooper, 3 for 9. Despite losing 3 quick wickets in the chase with the score in the 30’s Drew Harbron finished the innings with a quickfire 21n.o. to see Sleaford over the line in just 8.4 overs. The final fixture of the day against Deeping was also a comfortable victory. This time asked to bat having lost the toss the Sleaford openers got off to a fast start and both reached their 50’s from 41 balls. Shorthouse was out straight after reaching his milestone, but Cooper carried his bat for an undefeated 84 ably supported by Drew with 19n.o. setting a daunting 171 for 1. The visitors never got to grips with the chase being restricted by some tight bowling and athletic fielding from the hosts including an excellent leg-side stumping from ‘keeper Matthew Wing. After the allotted 20 overs were complete, Deeping could only muster 77 for 6 giving Sleaford a winning margin of 94 runs. We will be joined on finals day with the other group winners Scunthorpe, Woodhall Spa and Bourne at London Road on Monday 29th May.
Also on Saturday, Sleaford 2nd XI visited SLB Championship newcomers Orton Park. Being asked to bat first, the returning Mason Mansfield compiled a patient 41 at the top of the order, but it was the in-form Ben Lambert who set the innings alight with a rapid 60 from just 32 balls including 5 sixes. With the ball, evergreen opener Giles Goddard set the tone claiming 2 wickets for just 26 runs in his 9 over spell, ably supported by Olly Starbuck, Lambert and Max Lorimer with a wicket apiece before Mansfield closed the door with 2 for 16, leaving Orton finishing on 136 for 7 giving Sleaford a well earned victory by 48 runs.
Onto Sunday and with no home fixtures the 2’s travelled up the road to Heckington for their Lincoln & District League Division 2 match. Winning the toss and electing to field, the Sleaford bowlers struggled to contain the Heckington openers who amassed 130 for the 1st wicket. However, a turn of fortune saw Sleaford restrict their hosts to 162 for 8 in 40 overs with George Tanner claiming 5 for 24. With a strong looking batting line-up, Sleaford would have fancied knocking off this total, but only Ian Glendinning with 39 and Charlie Roberts with 25 made any significant contribution with the bat falling well short at 104 all out in just 33 overs for a loss by 58 runs.
Sleaford Women’s Super 8’s enjoyed two fixtures in their EMWCL Super 8’s Division 1 North campaign against Kirkby Portland and Blyth, hosted by the latter. This format has the batters batting in pairs for 4 overs with each dismissal taking 5 runs from the total. Each team starts on 200 and runs accumulated minus wickets lost multiplied by 5 gives the total for the innings. In their first match Kirkby Portland batted first and scored 88 for the lost of 6 wickets from their 16 overs giving them a net score of 258. Sleaford replied with 50 runs, but 10 dismissals cancelled this out leaving a net score of 200 and a loss of 58. In the second match against Blyth, they faired slightly better managing 69 with the bat but again 10 dismissals for 50 penalty runs ended the innings on a net score of 219. Blyth replied with 76 for 5 and a net total of 251 giving them a 32 run victory.
This week’s fixtures
| Date | Start Time | Home Team | Away Team |
| Monday 15 May | 18:00 | Sleaford CC Under 15 | Nettleham CC- Under 15 Hurricanes |
| Tuesday 16 May | 18:00 | Woodhall Spa CC Under 13 | Sleaford CC Under 13 |
| Wednesday 17 May | 18:00 | Sleaford CC Under 11 | Boston CC Under 11 |
| Saturday 20 May | 11:30 | Bourne CC 1st XI | Sleaford CC 1st XI |
| 13:00 | Sleaford CC 2nd XI | Freiston L&L CC 1st XI | |
| Sunday 21 May | 10:15 | Louth CC Under 10 | Sleaford CC Under 10 |
| 11:00 | Sleaford CC Women’s Soft Ball* | Grimsby Town CC Women’s Softball | |
| 13:00 | Owmby CC Sunday XI | Sleaford CC Sunday 1st XI | |
| 13:00 | Sleaford CC Women’s 1st XI | Duffield CC Women’s 1st XI | |
| 15:00 | Sleaford CC Women’s Soft Ball* | Alford & District CC Women’s Softball |
* Hosted by Nocton CC
The bar will be open for all fixtures and supporters are more than welcome to come and spectate.
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