A bumper weekend of Bank Holiday action saw 6 matches take place with Sleaford victorious in 5. With the hugely successful beer festival in full swing, it really was a memorable weekend. Our 1st XI travelled north to Scunthorpe in a much anticipated match that had produced 672 runs in the corresponding fixture back in June. The outcome could not have been more contrasting as Sleaford ran out winners by 8 wickets in a game lasting just 37 overs. Scott Tite being the main architect of this win with 5/19, ably supported by some excellent catching. Drew Harbron providing useful support with 3/22 and a wicket each for Cameron Hall and Kieran Harbron. Scunthorpe being dismissed for only 89, which proved an easy task to chase down for the loss of only former fan favourite Conor Harbron. Hibberd finishing on 48 with Mason Mansfield 24. Sleaford remain 3rd in the table, with the prospect of facing table toppers Lindum next week. Could there be a twist in the title race?
The 2nd XI welcomed Orton Park to London Road who inserted the home team on a day of very mixed weather and a match reduced to 70 overs. Both teams were obviously very keen to get a result as they stayed out there in some heavy rain and in terrible light. Sleaford managed 192/7 with a number of batters getting starts but not quite going on until no.8, Thomas Stephan, struck a valuable 55 not out to post a demanding total. With the ball, wickets fell fairly regularly, but in credit to Orton they kept playing shots and were ultimately dismissed for 148 with just an over to spare. Aayush Patel claiming 4/14, assisted by some decent catching in the deep.
Highlights from this game will be uploaded to the clubs YouTube channel later in the week. Click here to subscribe and turn on notifications.
On Sunday the 2nd XI took on Horncastle who, having won the toss elected to field first. They started brightly putting on 43 for the 1st wicket in 10 overs, but thereafter Sleaford dominated. New fan favourite, Joshua Nel, showed his undoubted promise picking up 3 for 17, bowling quick for a 13 year old and also pulled off an excellent run out to remove the dangerous opening bat. The Horncastle innings petered out at 134 in the 39th over. A comfortable run chase followed with George Hix and Ben Glendinning getting to the 20’s, but the star man was Tom Sanders with an excellent undefeated 52 showing composure beyond his years, knocking off the winning runs with 6 overs to spare.
Highlights from this game will be uploaded to the clubs YouTube channel later in the week. Click here to subscribe and turn on notifications.
The Women’s Super 8’s were also in action, taking on Ockbrook & Borrowash and Blyth. The 1st match against O&BCC saw a win by 5 runs, with the opposition getting 52/3 from 12 overs giving them a net score of 232. Sleaford replied with 77/8 and net of 237. In their 2nd match against Blyth, Sleaford had their fortunes reversed. Restricting Blyth to 68/9 (net 223), Sleaford very nearly got over the line but scoring just 1 run less and losing 1 more wicket saw them slip to a narrow 6 run loss.
The final fixture of the weekend saw the Sunday 1st XI take on Woodhall Spa. On a potentially spicy pitch, that had been used for 3 consecutive days and had been exposed to the elements for long periods, it was perhaps a relief when Woodhall won the toss and chose to bat. All out for just 100 was just reward for the spin bowling trio of Harbron, Hibberd and Mansfield who picked up 9 wickets between them. The total was chased down with relative ease for the loss of 3 wickets with Godby 30 not out and Rollinson 28 not out making an unbroken partnership of 67 to see the team over the line.
Highlights from this game will be uploaded to the clubs YouTube channel later in the week. Click here to subscribe and turn on notifications.
Summary of all Sleaford CC results from the past week
| Date | Home Team | Away Team | Result |
| 19 August | Scunthorpe Town CC 1st XI….86 | Sleaford CC 1st XI….89/1 | Won by 9 wickets Scorecard |
| Sleaford CC 2nd XI….192/7 | Orton Park CC 1st XI….148 | Won by 44 runs Scorecard | |
| 20 August | Sleaford CC Sunday 2nd XI….137/4 | Horncastle CC Sunday 1st XI….134 | Won by 6 wickets Scorecard |
| Ockbrook & Borrowash CC Women’s Super 8’s….52/4 (Net Score 232) | Sleaford CC- Women’s Super 8’s….77/8 (Net Score 237) | Won by 5 runs Scorecard | |
| Blyth CC, Notts Women’s Super 8s….68/9 (Net Score 223) | Sleaford CC- Women’s Super 8’s….67/10 (Net Score 217) | Lost by 6 runs Scorecard | |
| Sleaford CC Sunday 1st XI….101/3 | Woodhall Spa CC Sunday 1st XI….100 | Won by 7 wickets Scorecard |
This week’s fixtures
| Date | Start Time | Home Team | Away Team |
| Saturday 2 September | 11:30 | Sleaford CC 1st XI | Lindum CC 1st XI |
| Sunday 3 September | 12:30 | Plumtree CC Womens 1st XI | Sleaford CC Womens 1st XI |
| 13:00 | Sleaford CC Sunday 2nd XI | Gully Cricketers CC Sunday 1st XI |