If late-season cricket had a soundtrack, this weekend’s would probably have been the gentle thud of another bail hitting the turf. Three Sleaford senior sides were bowled out for fewer than 100, while the Sunday First XI alone remembered that batting is traditionally meant to involve scoring runs. One win, three defeats and enough collapses to keep a structural engineer busy — welcome to September. 🍂
First XI: Four eighteens still do not make 100 😵
Bourne chose to bowl at London Road and were soon congratulating themselves on an excellent life decision. Matthew Mills, Tom Sanders, Drew Harbron and Oscar Lond each made 18, which was admirably democratic but not especially helpful. Sleaford were all out for 92 in 29.3 overs, Jack Berry taking five for 25 and Ruben Baker three for 19.
Bourne then reached 94 for two in 11.5 overs, Sam Evison making an unbeaten 40 and Dan Freeman 23 not out. An eight-wicket defeat was completed so quickly that afternoon tea was in danger of becoming an evening meal. ☕
Second XI: Defending 54, because apparently weekends need jeopardy 🎢
At Abbey Lawn, the Second XI were dismissed for 54 in 19.4 overs. Mackenzie Ross top-scored with 17, while 13 extras earned the unofficial title of second-best batter. Tom Patchett produced an outstanding ten-over spell of six for 19, including five maidens.
The bowlers very nearly performed a rescue act. George Bulmer took two for five, with Ben Lambert, Ross and Micah Young also among the wickets, as Bourne stumbled to 55 for six in 19.4 overs. Admirable fight, but sadly no bonus points are awarded for making a tiny chase feel like a five-day Test. Bourne won by four wickets.
Sunday First XI: Actual runs! An actual win! 🎉
Just when the weekend appeared ready to vanish into a batting-shaped sinkhole, the Sunday First XI arrived with a reminder that September can still be enjoyable. Lindum were bowled out for 129, Ross taking four for 20 and Harbron three for 10.
Sanders then made 59 and Sneath 42 as Sleaford chased the target for the loss of four wickets in 19.3 overs. A six-wicket victory, positive batting and not a collapse in sight. Frankly, it all felt rather extravagant. 😎
Sunday Second XI: Over before the sun cream came out 🫣
The Sunday Second XI chose to bat at Heckington and were all out for 49 in 21.4 overs. Sam Lambert made 20, but Charlie Baxter’s five for four and Chris Morley’s three for one ensured there was little else to celebrate in the scorebook.
Heckington raced to 50 for one in 5.3 overs, Connor Jenkinson finishing on 28 not out and Samuel Elliott on 15 not out. Nine wickets, barely half a dozen overs and probably the earliest post-match pint of the season. 🍺
Where does that leave us? 📋
The First XI will finish third — better than 2025, although still with a nagging sense that more was available. The Second XI sit bottom of Championship South and must take three more points than Bourne from the final two matches to survive. No pressure, then. 😬
The Sunday Second XI can reflect on a creditable campaign: fifth place, five wins from 13 completed games and Division Two safety secured. The Sunday First XI still have two fixtures to play, provided the annual September treasure hunt for 11 available cricketers reaches a successful conclusion.
It was not a weekend to frame and hang in the pavilion, but every fixture was fulfilled and the Sunday First XI supplied one emphatic bright spot. Two weekends remain: plenty of time for a final flourish — or, at the very least, a few more scores with three digits in them. 🤞🏏