It was a real “silly season” weekend for Sleaford Cricket Club, with availability stretched across the board and a few familiar faces persuaded back out of retirement to help make sure every fixture was fulfilled.
There were wins, near misses, battling performances and one outstanding display from the Women’s XI, as the club showed plenty of spirit during one of the toughest availability weekends of the season.
Saturday 1st XI keep pressure on at the top
The Saturday 1st XI produced an excellent 73-run win over Spalding, posting 254-7 before bowling the visitors out for 181.
After an early setback with Sean Solia dismissed in the opening over, Sleaford rebuilt through Matthew Mills and Olly Sneath before Andy Hibberd took control of the innings. His superb 88, including 11 boundaries, provided the platform for a strong total.
Drew Harbron added real momentum late on with 55 from just 42 balls, while 43 extras helped Sleaford reach a very useful score.
With the ball, Kieran Harbron led the way with 4-30, supported by Drew Harbron’s 3-45 and Matthew Mills’ 2-54, as Spalding were dismissed in the 43rd over.
The result keeps Sleaford third in the table, just seven points off top spot, with Bourne and Scunthorpe also picking up maximum points.
Seconds battle hard at Newborough
The Saturday 2nd XI faced a tough trip to Newborough, where the hosts posted 283-6 thanks to 84 from Joe Malton and 77 from Vamshi Parvathaneni. Micah Young was the pick of the Sleaford bowlers with 3-48.
In reply, Daniel Hutson and Ben Bulmer gave Sleaford a solid start with a 73-run opening partnership before a flurry of wickets left the side under pressure at 77-4.
Mackenzie Ross and Simon Godby then steadied the innings impressively. Ross finished unbeaten on 78 from 75 balls, while Godby made 59 not out as Sleaford closed on 226-4, 57 runs short but with plenty of fight shown.
Sunday 1st XI battle on with nine players
The Sunday 1st XI travelled to North Scarle with only nine players but still posted a competitive 231-7 from their 40 overs.
Sean Solia led the way with a fine 90, with Mackenzie Ross adding 32 and Olly Sneath 31. Defending with two players missing was always going to be difficult, and North Scarle made the most of the extra gaps in the field.
Emmet Finn’s unbeaten 106 guided the home side to 235-5, despite wickets for Andy Hibberd, Max Lorimer and Olly Sneath.
Sunday 2nd XI show great character
At home to Blankney, the Sunday 2nd XI produced one of the weekend’s best recovery efforts, despite ultimately losing by seven wickets.
With a side made up of several 13 and 14-year-olds and five players the wrong side of 40 helping make up the numbers, Sleaford looked in real trouble at 50-8.
Gavin Hutson and Phil Sneath then staged a superb ninth-wicket recovery. With a combined age of 109, the pair added 112, Hutson making 49 and Sneath finishing unbeaten on 48 as Sleaford reached 165-9.
George Bulmer struck twice early in Blankney’s reply and Bryan Smith also picked up a wicket, but Sleaford were left to rue several dropped catches and missed chances. On a turning surface, those opportunities may have exposed the visitors’ lower order, but Blankney reached 168-3 in 30.2 overs.
Women’s XI produce performance of the weekend
The performance of the weekend came from the Women’s XI, who travelled to Collingham and secured a dominant 177-run victory.
Sleaford piled up 316-2 from 35 overs, with Evie Jarvis making 61 before Libby Naylor produced a brilliant unbeaten 128 from 104 balls, including 21 boundaries. Georgie Tacey added an unbeaten 47 in an excellent team batting display.
Collingham were restricted to 139-7 in reply, with Kelly Bindemann making 57 for the hosts. Tamsin Henry starred with the ball, taking 4-25, while Naylor, Jarvis and Cleo Hutton also picked up wickets.
Across a challenging weekend, Sleaford’s sides showed the depth, spirit and humour needed to get through the busiest part of the summer. From the Saturday 1st XI keeping pace near the top, to the Women’s XI producing a standout win and the Sunday teams battling against the odds, there was plenty for the club to take pride in.
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