Just the solitary game on Saturday as the 1st XI hosted bottom placed side and newly promoted Long Sutton. Hopes of victory were high, but Long Sutton elected to bat 1st having won the toss. The bowlers were soon into their work as they dismissed them for a well below par 147 in 40 overs. Wickets were shared with Drew claiming 4 victims, 2 each for Tite and Mansfield and 1 for both Cam Hall and Kieran Harbron. Despite the obvious quality of Long Sutton’s opening bowler, Josh Baker, the openers managed to negotiate a tricky opening spell, before Mansfield (26) got bored and attempted to smash the non-turning leg spinner into Aldi, but was caught at mid off. Smith came in at 4 and set about the bowling with gusto, racing to 83 off just 35 deliveries with 16 boundaries as the total was easily passed in the 20th over. Hibberd batted watchfully for his 28*. A much needed 20 points as Sleaford attempt to climb the table, but face Woodhall Spa next week who currently hold the top spot.
On Sunday the 1st XI travelled to Owmby with a couple of ‘guests’. Guest no.1, Fraser Oates, pummelled the bowling for 153 to help Sleaford to 278 in their 40 overs. With the ball, guest no.2, Matty Braid, claimed 4 for 7 with a brace each for Tite, Hibberd and Foran bowling Owmby out for just 63, a mammoth win by 215 runs.
The Sunday 2’s did not fare as well away to Harlaxton. Again, a youthful bowling attack restricted Harlaxton to 187 for 6 with 2 wickets for Young and Sneath and 1 each for Phillips and Hinton. Unfortunately, this proved too many as Sleaford were bowled out for just 130 in the 37th over.
The Women’s 1st XI played their first London Road fixture of the season against Woodhall Spa. Batting first, Sleaford managed 123/9 in their 35 overs with Evie Jarvis top scoring with 32 at the top of the order. It is always difficult to know what a defendable score is to the casual observer as at this stage we have little knowledge of the quality of the opposition. Woodhall are certainly a more experienced team and their no.3, Molly Rebanks, showed her class with a well-made 76 not out at better than a run a ball. Woodhall claiming victory with close to 10 overs spare. Holly Vaughan was the pick of the Sleaford bowlers, bowling with pace and accuracy in her 7 overs and claiming 2/14.
U15 update by Phil Sneath
Sleaford U15s vs Lindum US15s – Tues 4th June
Sleaford U15s league campaign finally got underway with a narrow victory away at Lindum. Having won the toss, Sleaford elected to bowl first. Unfortunately, the continual light rain made the astro pitch and outfield very challenging. However, all the Sleaford bowlers coped with the wet ball with Harry Bailey (1-15), Liam Henry (1-19), Matty Eaton (2-9), Josh Hinton (2-4) and the immaculate George Bulmer, making the step up from U11s, taking 1-4 from his 2 overs. Lindum were eventually bowled out for 89 in 18 overs. Sleaford’s chase got off to a disastrous start as they quickly found themselves 20-5. Liam Henry (11) and Harry Bailey (9) started something of a mini-recovery, however at 46-7 Sleaford were looking at a heavy defeat. Charlie Foran and Micah Young (11 not out) had other ideas, and steadily edged towards the target with a partnership of 40. Charlie played some cracking shots before retiring on 30 with just 2 runs needed for victory. Matty Eaton then strode to the crease and despatched his first ball for 4 to see Sleaford home with an over to spare.
Sleaford U15s vs Moulton U15s (County Cup Q/F) – Thurs 6th June
Sleaford U15s progressed to the semi-finals of the County Cup with a thrilling victory over Moulton at London Road. Having won the toss, Sleaford elected to bowl first on a very flat wicket. Despite some disciplined bowling, Sleaford struggled to make early in roads into Moulton’s batting with the impressive Ruari Druam scoring an excellent 50. A run out and 2 late wickets from Josh Hinton (2-11) saw Moulton set Sleaford 125 for victory. In reply, Josh Nel (11) set the tone crashing his first 2 balls to the boundary before being well caught trying to keep up the positive start. Ryan Twells (5) quickly followed and this brought Oliver Sneath and Oscar Lond to the crease in the 5th over with the score at 16 for 2. The pair played watchfully accumulating steadily. With the score on just 33 and needing 10 an over in the final 9 overs, victory was looking a difficult task. However, the pair, always in control, decided it was time to go on the attack and proceed to play some wonderful shots all around the wicket. Oliver (54) brought up his 2nd half century of the competition with a huge 6 before retiring with his side needing just 18 to win from the final 3 overs. Oscar (45 not out) continued to attack and together with Josh Hinton (11 not out) saw Sleaford claim victory with an over to spare, to the delight of the sizeable number of spectators watching on. Oliver & Oscars 90 + run partnership, game management and impressive batting display showed maturity beyond their years. Sleaford now face either Lindum or Nettleham in the semi-final with the game due to take place on Thursday 20th June at London Road.
Results from the past week.
| Date | Home Team | Away Team | Result | |
| 4 June | Lindum CC Under 15 Gladiators….89 | Sleaford CC Under 15….92/7 | Win by 3 wickets | Scorecard |
| 5 June | Sleaford CC Women’s Super 8’s….71/1 | Market Deeping CC Women’s Super 8’s….70/4 | Win 6 by wickets | Scorecard |
| 6 June | Sleaford CC Under 15….126/2 | Moulton Harrox CC Under 15….124/3 | Win 8 by wickets | Scorecard |
| 8 June | Sleaford CC 1st XI….151/2 | Long Sutton CC 1st XI….147 | Win 8 by wickets | Scorecard |
| 9 June | Owmby CC Sunday XI….63 | Sleaford CC Sunday 1st XI….278/6 | Win by 215 runs | Scorecard |
| Harlaxton CC Sunday 1st XI….187/6 | Sleaford CC Sunday 2nd XI….130 | Lost by 57 runs | Scorecard | |
| Sleaford CC Womens 1st XI….123/9 | Woodhall Spa CC Womens 1st XI….127/3 | Lost by 7 wickets | Scorecard | |
| Keyworth CC Womens Soft Ball….144/0 (Net 344) | Sleaford CC Women’s Soft Ball….113/1 (Net 308) | Lost by 36 runs | Scorecard | |
| Caythorpe CC Women’s Softball….113/6 (Net 283) | Sleaford CC Women’s Soft Ball….96/7 (Net 261) | Lost by 22 runs | Scorecard |
Fixtures for the week ahead.
| Date | Start Time | Home Team | Away Team |
| Tuesday 11 June | 18:00 | Sleaford CC Under 15 | Hartsholme CC Under 15 |
| Wednesday 12 June | 18:00 | Sleaford CC 1st XI (Albion Cup Semi-Final) | Hartsholme CC 1st XI |
| 18:00 | Caythorpe CC Under 11 | Sleaford CC Under 11 | |
| Saturday 15 June | 11:30 | Woodhall Spa CC 1st XI | Sleaford CC 1st XI |
| 13:00 | Sleaford CC 2nd XI | Bourne CC 2nd XI | |
| Sunday 16 June | 13:00 | Sleaford CC Sunday 2nd XI | Rustons CC 1st XI |
| 13:00 | Caythorpe CC Women’s Super 8s 1st Team | Sleaford CC Women’s Super 8’s | |
| 15:00 | Belper Meadows CC Women’s Super 8’s | Sleaford CC Women’s Super 8’s |
League Tables can be located via these links.