On Saturday, the 1st XI travelled to Grantham and were asked to bat 1st having lost the toss. Aayush Patel made 52 at the top of the order with new overseas signing Daniel Smith contributing 39. Top scorer again was captain Shorthouse with 65 in a competitive total of 235/8 in their 50 overs. In reply, an early run out brought Qundeel Haider to the crease and whilst wickets were falling at the other end he was able to put regular loose deliveries away to the boundary. Shorthouse alongside Kieran Harbron, Smith and Mansfield with their varieties of slow bowling, managed to stem the flow of runs to an extent whilst picking up the odd wicket. This ensured a tight finish and was likely down to whether Haider could carry his bat. Carry it he did, completing a fine century in the process, as he saw Grantham over the line off the final ball of the innings. Pick of the bowlers again was Shorthouse with 3/30 in 10 economical overs. A wicket apiece for Tite, Harbron and Smith. A tough start to the 2024 season, having lost both their opening fixtures, Sleaford look to bounce back with a trip north to Grimsby next week.
The 2nd XI had a much easier time of it at London Road, also against Grantham. Electing to field first, the Sleaford attack made short work of the Grantham batting line up, dismissing them for just 37 in 16.4 overs. This included a partnership of 31 for the 6th wicket! Hall, Goddard and Makwana picking up 3 wickets each. A little wobble with the bat had Sleaford at 12-3 before Roberts joined Sanders in the middle to knock the runs off without further drama. The game reaching its conclusion not long after 3pm.
Unfortunately, Sundays fixtures fell victim to the rain, including the ECB National Knockout fixture against Loughborough, which will hopefully be rearranged.
Next weekend includes Winkworth Cup T20 fixtures on bank holiday Monday. Sleaford host Grantham and Market Deeping as we look to defend our title.
Weekend Results
| Date | Home Team | Away Team | Result |
| 27 April | Grantham CC 1st XI….236/7 | Sleaford CC 1st XI….235/8 | Lost by 3 wickets Scorecard |
| Sleaford CC 2nd XI…..42/3 | Grantham CC 2nd XI…..37 | Won by 7 wickets Scorecard |
Fixtures for the week ahead
| Date | Start Time | Home Team | Away Team |
| Tuesday 30 April | 18:00 | Hartsholme CC Under 13 | Sleaford CC Under 13 |
| Saturday 4 May | 11:30 | Grimsby CC 1st XI | Sleaford CC 1st XI |
| 13:00 | Sleaford CC 2nd XI | Newborough CC 2nd XI | |
| Sunday 5 May | 13:00 | Sleaford CC Sunday 1st XI | Market Rasen CC Sunday 1st XI |
| 13:00 | Blankney CC Sunday 1st XI | Sleaford CC Sunday 2nd XI | |
| 11:00 | Gedling Colliery CC Womens 2nd XI | Sleaford CC Womens 1st XI | |
| Monday 6 May | 10:30 | Sleaford CC 1st XI | Grantham CC 1st XI |
| Sleaford CC 1st XI | Market Deeping CC 1st XI |