🔴 It was a weekend of mixed emotions for Sleaford Cricket Club, with cup disappointment, league frustration, a superb Sunday 1st XI victory and no shortage of individual performances to admire across the senior sides. Across four fixtures there were centuries, battling half-centuries, important bonus points and plenty of evidence that the club’s senior and development sides continue to compete hard, even on the more demanding afternoons.
🏆 The 1st XI came agonisingly close in their George Marshall Cup semi-final at Woodhall Spa, falling 17 runs short in a high-scoring contest. Woodhall Spa made 191 for four, led by Tayyab Tahir’s unbeaten 100 after he had offered a chance on 0, a moment that ultimately proved costly. Sleaford responded positively, with Sean Solia and Matthew Mills giving the chase a flying start before Mills went on to make an excellent 74 and George Woods added a rapid 44. The chase remained alive for long periods, but late wickets and the pressure of the target saw Sleaford finish on 174 for six.
đź“Š The 2nd XI had a tough afternoon in Championship South against Bourne, who were strengthened by the availability of several regular 1st XI players. After Bourne posted 287 for eight, Sleaford produced a determined reply rather than folding under the weight of the target. Arthur Brearley-Newsome made a well-compiled 70 and Mackenzie Ross contributed 37 after earlier taking four for 37 with the ball. Charlie Roberts finished unbeaten on 27 as Sleaford closed on 220 for five, collecting seven points, but the result tightened the lower end of the table, with the bottom two places bringing relegation.
✅ Sunday brought brighter news as the Sunday 1st XI secured a convincing 67-run win away at Revesby. Mackenzie Ross produced a magnificent 139, full of clean striking and control, as Sleaford posted 266 for eight from their 40 overs. He was supported by Olly Sneath, Harry Bailey and Will Glendinning, whose contributions helped keep the innings moving around him. Revesby threatened at stages through Qaiser Iqbal’s 60, but Sleaford kept taking wickets when they mattered most. Andy Hibberd and Sneath took three wickets each, while Micah Young and Max Lorimer claimed two apiece as Revesby were bowled out for 199.
👏 The Sunday 2nd XI faced a formidable Owmby Trojans side featuring seasoned Premier League players and a former international, a sizeable test for what is effectively a Sleaford development side. Owmby’s Liam Sylvester made an unbeaten 208 in a huge total of 346 for one, leaving the home side with an enormous chase. Sleaford still found positives in reply: Ben Bulmer made a defiant 85, giving the innings structure and pride, while 13-year-old Elliot Coote finished unbeaten on 32 to help the side reach 198 for eight and earn five batting points.
💪 Across the weekend there were setbacks, but also plenty to take forward: runs for Mills, Ross, Bulmer and Brearley-Newsome; wickets for Ross, Hibberd, Sneath, Young and Lorimer; and encouraging signs from the club’s younger players. The Sunday results in particular showed the value of resilience, with one side turning pressure into a strong win and another finding pride and bonus points against powerful opposition. Thank you to all players, scorers, volunteers and supporters across a busy weekend of cricket.
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