Long Sutton’s formidable South Lincs and Border League form continued on Saturday as they brushed nearest rivals Baston aside.

The Division One leaders extended their advantage to 45 points with a 39-run success at The Shrine – but they had their bowlers to thank again.

Batting first on what proved a tricky pitch, Ed Booth (22) and Paul Edgeller (40) top scored in a team total of 125.

The bowlers then set to work, with Jimmy Wright (4-13), Barry Stanway (3-18) and Edgeller (2-30) blowing the Baston order away for just 86.

Baston stay second despite the loss – but third-placed Friskney are now hot on their heels after handing Spalding 2nd a severe beating.

Rob Grant smashed an unbeaten 167 as they amassed a whopping 337-7 against Town’s second string.

Jimmy Clarke led from the front with a defiant 67, but Ben Troops took 5-32 to dismiss them for 124.

Market Deeping 2nd had no such trouble as they cruised to an emphatic nine-wicket win over Heckington.

Ross Lowndes (4-23) starred with the ball to dismiss the hosts for 83, before John McDougall (48) top scored in reply.

But Moulton Harrox 2nd continue to toil at the bottom.

Neil Williams hit an unbeaten 100 for opponents Stamford Town 2nd as they fired 225-4. Harrox then hit 156-8, with Jack Cusack (45) enjoying a decent knock.

Up in the Premier Division, Billingborough are just four points off the summit following a comfortable win over Grantham.

Having restricted their opponents to 154-9, Boro’ knocked off the runs for the loss of just four wickets with Rutvik Botadra (52no) guiding them home.

Bourne 2nd are hot on their heels in third following a battling success over Sleaford 2nd. A fine 41 from Matt Creaney and crucial runs down the order from Jonathan Stainsby (35no) and George Hartley (22no) guided the hosts to 180-8 at the Abbey Lawn.

Tom Bentley (4-34) then shone with the ball to limit Sleaford to 134-7 – some 46 runs shy of their target.

Meanwhile, it was another tough day for Moulton Harrox at the bottom. They were skittled out for just 70 against Lindum 2nd, who eased past that target with eight wickets in hand.

In Division Two, Rob Simpson took 7-23 as Long Sutton 2nd marched on at the top, beating Freiston by seven wickets.

Sutton dismissed their opponents for just 102, before Danny Sisson’s unbeaten 51 guided them to glory – and extended their advantage over second-placed Cavaliers to 17 points.

Spalding 3rd, in turn, are a further 17 points behind Cavaliers in third having seen off South Holland rivals Pinchbeck. Pinchbeck made 147-8 at Spalding’s Memorial Field, with Town edging home by three wickets.

Bad Girls The Musical

By Act II

South Holland Centre, Spalding

Murder, rape, corruption, violence and lesbian affairs – probably not the kind of thing you’d expect from a youth production – but you won’t hear this scribe complaining.

The advanced skills group of the Spalding theatre company took on an ambitious task in performing this musical, based on the 90s TV drama, but they pulled it off with such ease that at times I totally forgot the tender years of the cast.

Directed and produced by Charlotte and Karl Gernert respectively, the show centres on wicked prison officer Jim Fenner’s bid to become wing governor at any means, while the shocking nuts and bolts of prison life go on around the main plot.

In fact you can add drug addiction and prostitution to the list of subjects tackled last Thursday evening on the South Holland Centre stage... but you mustn’t forget great songs, sharp humour and some wonderful double entendres.

None of the young cast seemed at all embarrassed at their roles or lines as they acted with great maturity and good comic timing, extracting many a belly-laugh from the audience.

Duncan Riches stole the show for me as he made the role of the evil Fenner his own, and also proved he can sing a bit along the way. Dominique Spinks played the sexy but vulnerable, tough yet caring Shell Dockley with wonderful conviction and really owned the stage during her solo moments.

Georgia Cantwell shone as the sassy gangster’s moll Yvonne Atkins, Alice Haley rose to the tough task of playing the misunderstood lesbian murderess Nikki Wade, Rebe Hawes was convincing as the tragic Rachel Hicks and Molly Riches was just wonderful as the tart with a heart Julie Saunders.

But then all the cast gelled superbly and all had their stand-out moment, aided and abetted by a very good orchestra.

I really love watching these local productions at the South Holland Centre – especially the younger actors – but I have noticed much of the crowd is made up of fellow thespians, supporters and family. If you fancy an evening of great entertainment at a reasonable price, try to get along to one of the forthcoming productions – I’ve been to five in the last few months and I have not been disappointed once.

Jeremy Ransome

Spalding Gymnastic Club’s talented junior team struck gold at the county boys’ floor and vault team competition.

The team of Rhiley Briston, Zac Chapman, Jamie Waterson and Kai Hayman topped their category to retain their county crown.

Also competing in this group was a younger team of Theo Briston, Ollie Rushton, Ethan Howling and Sam Allcock, who won bronze.

In the senior team, at a higher level, Ross Chapman, Luke Waterson and Ryan Mckimm took bronze.

A Donington maths teacher is aiming to inspire his students to be a part of the Olympic legacy as he prepares for Britain’s biggest cycling race for a generation.

Martin MacGregor, assistant headteacher at Thomas Cowley High School, in School Lane, could not fail to be carried away with Olympics fever last summer.

A regular cyclist and fan of the sport, he sat in a bus stop to see Brits Lizzie Armitstead, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome zip past on the roads of London at the Games as well as watching Sir Chris Hoy claim his fifth gold medal in the velodrome.

Keen to be a role model to his pupils, the 38-year-old applied to take part in this summer’s Prudential RideLondon, and will be among 20,000 amateur riders tackling a 100-mile route that finishes on The Mall.

The ride starts from the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and is just one of a series of events taking place in the capital on the weekend of August 3 and 4, with an eight-mile FreeCycle around the city’s iconic landmarks as well as a Grand Prix for aspiring young cyclists and the London-Surrey Classic featuring some of the world’s best riders.

Despite only receiving his spot in the race four weeks ago, Martin hopes his preparations and race can help be the springboard for others.

“We normally take part in the national ‘ride your bike to work week’ where we look to encourage more children to ride their bikes,” he said. “But we couldn’t do it this year unfortunately because we were having building work.

“My aim is to try and take a video camera around on my handlebars.

“I want to share it with the children and talk about it when I have to do my school assembly in early September.

“It’s about reminding them that the Olympics were not that long ago.

“I went down to the Olympics and found the whole thing so exciting, I was buzzing for weeks afterwards.

“We are talking about the Olympic legacy and this is one of those events that will hopefully go on for the next few years. It’s about showing some of that spirit. We are in quite a rural area and it’s really difficult for people to do things.

“It’s a nice opportunity and a chance to keep that Olympic spirit going and hopefully encourage people to do things, like get on their bike.”

Organisers are aiming to make the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 the largest charity fundraising cycle event in the world, with the route taking place on closed roads through the capital and into Surrey’s stunning countryside.

Closely following the route of the Olympic road race, the course will feature leg-testing climbs made famous by some of the world’s best cyclists – who will take to the road later that day on August 4.

And having taken part in the London Marathon ten years ago, Martin was looking forward to taking on cycling’s equivalent.

“It’s different to London as it takes a longer time,” said Martin, father to nine-year-old Spike. “But I’m hoping there is still that sense of carnival.

“I’m still hoping that it will be hard. I’m more concerned about the distance. Those last 20 miles, the legs are tired.

“But just getting back out on the roads and seeing London with no cars around will be great.”

Prudential RideLondon takes place on 3 and 4 August. If you’re inspired to ride, visit www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk and sign yourself up.

Racers from Bourne Kart Club enjoyed the highlight of their season last weekend as they contested the East of England Championships at Metheringham.

The event dates back to the mid 1980s, when the late Des Francis (father of current racer Colin) ran the first event at Skillington, near Grantham.

It has become the club’s premier event and is affectionately known as the ‘E1’, as the winners are able to race with that number until the next event is held the following year.

This year the track was a massive 41-yard circuit, the biggest of the season so far. It had two nice straights and nine challenging corners.

With only 46 karts in action, there were eight racers each for the 90 and 250cc classes, seven in the 125 juniors, six in the 250/4s, five for the 70s and 175s, four in the 125 seniors and only three in the 125/2s.

In the 70cc group, defending champion Frankie Wright made it back-t0-back titles. He saw off the challenge of Bailey Harker, Zoe Chappell and Liam Forman to retain his crown.

The 90cc title was retained by rising star Henry Laws (O7). He appeared to win very easily, but there were some fine battles further down the field.

Dani Parker made a great move for third place on the last lap of heat two and Maddie Williams held off Laws magnificently to win heat four.

The 125cc title went the way of Craig Jackson, with Daniel Brown and a clearly unwell Wayne Hall in the top three.

In the 125 juniors, Callum Pearson picked up two wins and two second places to gain a narrow victory over Ben Ward.

The 125 seniors’ title went to Kevin Jackson, with Ricky Ivatt managing one heat win.

In the 175 category, the title went the way of Colin Francis for an amazing tenth time. Steve Willson won one heat, but suffered engine damage soon after.

In the 250s, Ian Laws won the title of the third year running, winning all four heats along the way. Rob Mastin drove very well for second.

Cliff Hoppe won his first major title in the relatively new 250/4 group, fending off the challenge of Rob Culpin, Nick Brooker and Darren Ling.

• Class winners: 70cc – #13 Frankie Wright; 90cc – #07 Henry Laws; 125 Juniors – #28 Callum Pearson; 125s – #54 Craig Jackson; 125 seniors – #54 Kevin Jackson; 175s – #84 Colin Francis; 250s – 00 Ian Laws; 250/4 – #51 Cliff Hoppe. Junior of the day – #73 Sonny Wright.

More than 100 athletes were in town for the Spalding Triathlon as both Mat Stephenson and Lucy Nell defended their respective titles.

Run by Spalding Triathlon Club, the event was back for the second year on the spin after a five-year spell in the wilderness.

The event, dubbed a ‘sprint triathlon’, saw the competitors do a 400m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run.

While the swim and event site was based at the Castle Sports Complex, the cycle took athletes on roads in Spalding and Moulton, with the run being two laps around the Albion Street and West Elloe areas.

Last year’s male and female winners Stephenson (RAF Triathlon) and Lucy Nell returned to defend their titles in impressive style.

Stephenson received stiff competition from Nathan Tweedie (PACTRAC) and fellow RAF triathlete Charles Nell, but took top spot in a time of 53.53mins.

Lucy Nell, meanwhile, outshone the rest of the female field, finishing over nine minutes ahead of her closest rival Nicky Rogers (King’s Lynn Triathlon Club) in a time of 1.00.55hrs.

The winning team on the day was Team Harris in 1.07.04hrs.

• A trio of Spalding Tri members competed against more than 180 at the Oakham Sprint Triathlon on June 30.

The event comprised of a 400m pool swim, a 22km hilly cycle and a 5km run to finish.

All the triathlon club members had a great race, with Callum McPartlin (1.14.34hrs) finishing 27th overall and seventh in his age category.

Mike Staines (1.15.05hrs) and Angela McGill (1.26.14hrs) also raced well and finished third and fourth respectively in their age categories.

• Three Spalding athletes took on the notorious ‘Flat Out In The Fens Sportive’ event recently.

Winds of up to 32mph and decent temperatures of close to 14 degrees greeted Nikki Balding, her dad Mick Griffin and Kelly Olsen, who had distances of 70, 108 and 154 miles open to them.

At 70 miles, Olsen finished in 4.56.00hrs, with Balding and Griffin taking on the longer 108 mile option.

Both did well, finishing in a time of 8.08.28hrs.

Spalding Golf Club’s top team have reached the finals of the county foursomes competition with a nail-biting 1up win over rivals Boston at Surfleet.

Bidding to win the coveted title for the first time since 2009, Spalding join Sleaford, Market Rasen and Stoke Rochford in the last four.

The matchplay foursomes format consists of three pairs from each side playing the full 18 holes off scratch, with the combined matchplay score to count.

First pair out for Spalding, Keith Hearne and Ollie Mitchell were 1 down after nine holes – but came back to finish all square against Boston’s top pairing.

Next up, Mal Wray and Wayne Wallace were two down after 12 holes and were certainly the underdogs against their lower handicapped opposition.

But, with dogged determination, they fought back to finish all square.

The final pairing of Simon Richardson and Andy Grimwood were also trailing by one at the turn, but in a very tight game they were all square going down the 18th.

And, when their opponents missed a 12 foot putt for par, Grimwood calmly rolled in a three-footer to win the game and the match 1up.

Spalding will now head to Elsham Golf Club (Brigg) for the morning semi-finals on Sunday, August 18, with the final and third/fourth place play-off following in the afternoon.

• Andy Grimwood is Spalding Golf Club’s 2013 men’s strokeplay champion after winning the 36-hole Tester Salver Trophy competition with a 148 gross total.

He recorded a gross 76 in the morning round followed by a 72 in the afternoon to win by three strokes from Dan Hines (72+79=151).

Phil Packard (77+77=154) was third on 154 with Oliver Mitchell (78+77=155) in fourth place with 155.

Those four, along with Harry Hunt (155), Keith Hearne (155), Mark Cooley (157) and Mal Wray (161), will contest for the Landale Scragg Club Matchplay Championship.

n Other one-round Tester category winners: The Square (best nett score, 0-17 handicap range): 1st Dan Hines nett 68. The Plaque (lowest gross, 18-28 handicap category): 1st Steve Phillips gross 89. The Circle (best nett score, 18-28 category): 1st John Beaumont nett 69.

• The mixed team lost their latest social match at home to Peterborough Milton 6-3, with one game halved.

Spalding had a good start, winning the first two games 1up through Neil Knighton and Angela Roper and Bob Sutton and Elaine Hancock.

But it went downhill after that, with the only other win coming from David Brotherton and Linda Double (3&2), with Keith Moore and Eileen Bridge halving their game.

• The third team also lost their latest social match away at Boston West, going down 3-2 with one halved game.

Team captain and vice skipper Monty Brittain and Mike Murphy won their game 2&1 – but Spalding only won one of the remaining five games, which came from Alan Jackson and Terry Thorpe (4&3).

It’s (hopefully) a perfect English summer weekend so what better way to spend it than at a village show?

Moulton is inviting people to take part in a garden crawl around the village from 2pm to 6pm on both days.

The village Horticultural Show is also on at the village hall (2pm to 6pm) at the weekend, with trophies presented for categories such as hand-knitted item, Victoria sponge (two egg) and vegetables grown above and below ground.

More unusually, there are categories for an illustrated poem about Moulton and a photographic landscape of the attractive village.

Programmes for the garden crawl cost £2.50 (children free) from the village green, where a face painter will be at work on Sunday only.

Join in a nationwide free community music event taking place between today and Sunday, Our Big Gig.

There are opportunities to take part at The Deepings Youth Centre at Deeping St James on Friday (1pm to 10pm), where events will involve a mix of musical performances and opportunities to get involved.

On Sunday, events are taking place at Langtoft Pavilion and field (12noon to 6pm) with a celebration of music, with bands, choirs – including A Handful of Harmonies – as well as dancing. There will also be musical instruments to try as well as food stalls, crafts, a tombola and workshops for anyone who would like to have a go.

The organisers say: “If you play an instrument bring it along and do a turn.”

Take along picnic chairs to enjoy the fun in comfort.

Making a difference while still having fun is a vision that is hoped to raise the profile of a club in South Holland.

Bruce Alexander has taken over as president of the Rotary Club of South Holland and has already been leading a team in planning the events diary and promoting development and progress.

He said: “The Rotary club assists many local charitable organisations, both with funding and with the services of our members.

“We have been the main fund raisers in the Spalding Flower Parade since its inception and our Santa Christmas Sleigh is eagerly awaited by children and adults alike in every part of Spalding.”

Bruce intends to continue working closely with other Rotary clubs, as well as organisations such as the Lions and Round Table.

Believing more can be achieved as a group, he said: “Our motto is ‘Service Above Self’, but while serving we don’t lose sight of the fact that we should enjoy ourselves as well.

“My vision is that I can make a difference while still having fun.”

Bruce’s presidency follows one shared by the ‘Two Peters’ - Peter Start and Peter Kite - after an unexpected vacancy arose for the post.

Peter Start did a remarkably thorough stint at short notice for the first half of the year, helping to ensure the club was in good health at the handover.

Peter Kite said he enjoyed his reprise as president over the past six months. He said he had every confidence in handing over the presidency to Bruce and for the role of president elect to be passed on to Pat Luckett, who will be the first lady president.

As well as interesting speakers, members have been on a number of visits, kept up the club’s good work for charities and continued to be of service to the community. The club’s current good health is underlined by two new members, with two more waiting in the wings to join.

The fifth annual ball raising funds for Johnson Community Hospital League of Friends as well as charitable funds for the Spalding hospital takes place on Saturday (7.30pm).

It’s at Springfields Event Centre. Tickets cost £35 and include a three-course meal and live music from Mind the Gap.

To offer raffle prizes or sponsor a table for ten contact 01775 652011 or visit www.johnsoncommunityhospitalball.com

A former Spalding man launched an unprovoked attack on the dance floor at Loaded by biting another man’s eyebrow.

James Chinn (34) continued biting Jamie Gilbertson for 
30 seconds to a minute as bystanders punched Chinn’s face to try to get him to release his grip, Spalding magistrates heard.

The bite resulted in “a chunk of skin” being removed from the victim’s eyebrow.

Rebecca Ritson, prosecuting, said the assault happened in the early hours of Sunday, June 9.

Mr Gilbertson was at the Spalding nightclub with his girlfriend and friends.

Miss Ritson said CCTV footage confirmed the attack was unprovoked.

Chinn came out of nowhere and bit Mr Gilbertson’s eyebrow and latched on to his face for some time.

Mr Gilbertson said the incident lasted for about a minute while other witnesses said it was half that time.

Miss Ritson said Mr Gilbertson tried to push Chinn off and, because that didn’t work, others intervened and punched Chinn to the face to try to release his bite.

Bouncers arrived and ejected everyone.

Miss Ritson said: “Mr Chinn had a lot of blood coming from his mouth, although Mr Chinn was not injured the bouncers assumed he had been assaulted.”

She said Chinn admitted the assault when interviewed by police, but said he didn’t know why he had bitten Mr Gilbertson.

Chinn, formerly of Livingstone Drive, Spalding, now lives in Hatcham Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Gilbertson, causing actual bodily, and sentence was adjourned to August 1.

Solicitor Stuart Wild, for Chinn, asked for the case to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report and to give him time to obtain a medical report from Chinn’s GP.

A man who sent sexual messages to a 13 year old girl has been jailed for 18 months at Lincoln Crown Court.

Benjamin Flatters, who last month received a 14 day sentence after posting a “grossly offensive” anti-Muslim message on Facebook following the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, had contact with the girl over a number of weeks.

Stephen Lowne, prosecuting, said Flatters was aware of the girl’s age but sent her a number of sexually suggestive messages which included him telling her he would love to have sex with her

He told the court “There were a number of messages that caused concern.”

Flatters (22), of no fixed address, but formerly of Drayton Road, Swineshead, admitted inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity by sending her sexual messages between November 2011 and January 2012.

Judge Michael Heath told him “That girl was 13 and no blame can be attached to her. The law is there to protect her.”

John McNally, defending, said much of the content of messages between the pair was “nonsense”.

“They never sought to meet but he accepts he made suggestions.”

He said Flatters had a difficult time at school and had been diagnosed as having ADHD.

Mr McNally added “He knows that sometimes he does things without thinking.”

Drivers faced rush-hour problems in Gosberton Clough as engineers carried out emergency repairs on low-lying cables in the village.

Large vehicles were diverted away from Beck Bank after it was closed between the Clough Road and Parson Drive junction when a worried resident reported that overhead power cables were dangerously low, providing a potential traffic hazard.

Engineers from Western Power spent at least an hour on Thursday repairing lines but there was no disruption to residents’ power supply.

A Western Power spokeswoman said: “We received a call on Thursday that overhead power lines were hanging low in a certain area of Gosberton Clough and our engineers went out to get them back up to the right height.

“But there was no power cut in the area and none of our customers had their electricity turned off.”

The Royal baby is due any day and the people of West Pinchbeck are having an early celebration.

There is an exhibition of Victorian and vintage prams, Christening gowns and toys plus cream teas at St Bartholomew’s Church on Saturday (10am to 4pm) and Sunday (12noon to 4pm). Entry is free but donations will be accepted for the church.

Monsters University (U)

Since teaming up on a permanent basis with The House of Mouse, Pixar may have lost some of its morals – primarily foregoing its ‘general’ policy of not doing sequels – but this is arguably one you wanted to see.

This time one of its most highly-acclaimed animations gets the prequel treatment, as we see the fledgling years of Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley’s (John Goodman) friendship at university – when they simply couldn’t stand each other – before they became the best of pals we know and love from the 2001 film.

That in itself provides some problems, as we know where this ‘origin’ story will end up, but the reviews have been pretty decent from the States – in comedic terms at the very least.

Pacific Rim (12A)

This will undoubtedly be this summer’s ‘Marmite’ blockbuster – you’re either going to love it or hate it.

From acclaimed Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro, there’s no doubting the film’s production values, as massive robots – aided by Brit star Idris Elba (Luther and Prometheus) – take on monstrous sea creatures to prevent an apocalyptic event.

A refurbished shop in Sutton Bridge is staging a free family fun day on Saturday.

Formerly known as Bridge Super Store, the newly re-branded Nisa Local will transform its Bridge Road forecourt into a play area from 11am-2pm.

Shop owner Veena Odedre is hoping for a big turnout of families with children so they can enjoy a bouncy castle, face-painting, storytelling and refreshments.

Veena and her husband, Jay, took over the store in 2009 and have been regular supporters of good causes in the parish.

At the end of last year, the couple donated £1,200 to The Curlew Community Centre.

Now they are running a raffle to coincide with the shop’s revamp – which has given it a bright new look – and money raised will go to Westmere Primary School and Sutton Bridge in Bloom.

Veena said: “It’s about making a difference to the local community.”

The store has been with Nisa for a number of years, but now carries its branding.

The couple have two children of their own, Shreeya (11) and Veer (6), and are eagerly awaiting the big day on Saturday so they can welcome children from the village.

Veena said: “We would love families to come to our fun day.”

Filling a gap in the market and giving customers the best of both worlds is a Long Sutton shop combining home and lifestyle with hair and beauty.

Time Out in the High Street was opened by husband and wife team Shaun and Jenny Cross eight years ago, and it still continues to go from strength to strength.

The downstairs interiors section has grown to supplying a wide range of furniture and soft furnishings, while the pampering haven upstairs remains the ideal place to help you look and feel great.

In the last year, the home-side of the business has added picture framing to its list of services and manager Shaun has also invested in a new range of bespoke furniture.

Made with chunky, rustic wood and painted in a choice of luxury Farrow & Ball colours, all pieces are made locally to order.

Dining chairs, tables, dressers, console tables, sidetables and more can be made to measure, with the shop stocking a few examples to show customers the quality and colours available.

Alongside the furniture is an ever-growing choice of soft furnishings, pictures, lamps and gifts.

Upstairs, Time Out offers a relaxing retreat, with Jenny, Janet, Lucy and Nadia on hand to advise on hair and beauty needs from hair extensions and colours to facials, waxing and tanning.

The air-conditioned salon uses top-quality brands including Wella, St Tropez, Cinderella hair extensions, Guinot and Gellac, and is now pleased to introduce Dermalogica too.

Shaun and Jenny said: “The past eight years has been amazing. Thanks go to all our customers and everyone who has supported us.”

The focus is on the authenticity and simplicity of the dishes at Tulip Tandoori in Spalding.

Proprietor Murshed Khan says it is this passion for creating unique recipes with quality food – plus talented chefs and efficient waiters – that has earned the restaurant its reputation as one of the best Indian restaurants in town.

Sample the restaurant’s cuisine at Thursday banquet night, costing £10.50 per head, or from the Sunday special menu (served 12noon to 7pm) which is £7.90.

The restaurant is sharing its recipe for Aguni Korai.

YOU WILL NEED

250g (9oz) ghee

3 tbsp fresh coriander (chopped)

65g (2½oz) garlic

1 tbsp ground turmeric

1 tbsp red chilli powder

1 tbsp ground cumin

4 medium-sized green chillies with stalks removed

1 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp garam masala

550g (1¼lb) onions, chopped

1 x 400g (14oz) can chopped tomatoes

50g (2oz) fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

1 tbsp salt

900g (2lb) boneless lamb or chicken, cubed

1 tbsp ground coriander

120ml (4fl oz) water

Pinch of ground cumin and freshly ground black pepper/plus Sambuca to serve

METHOD

Heat the ghee in a large, heavy based pan. Add the onions and cook over a medium heat, stirring now and then, for 20 minutes until they are soft and light brown.

Put the tomatoes, water, ginger and garlic into a liquidizer and blend until smooth. Remove the fried onions with a slotted spoon, add them to the paste and blend briefly until smooth.

Return the puree to the ghee left in the pan and add the lamb and salt. Simmer for 30 minutes, by which time the lamb will be half cooked and the sauce will be well reduced.

Stir in the turmeric, chilli powder, cumin, paprika and ground coriander and continue to cook for 30-45 minutes for shoulder or 45-1 hour for leg, until the lamb is tender, adding a little water now and then if the sauce starts to stick. When the lamb or chicken is cooked there should be a layer of ghee floating on the top of the curry. Either skim off or leave as preferred.

Taste the curry and add as much green chilli puree as you wish, according to how hot you like your curries. Simmer for two more minutes.

Stir in the fresh coriander and garam masala, transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with a little more ground cumin and some freshly ground black pepper. Just before serving, add 20ml of Sambuca and flambé for a dramatic presentation for your guests.

Serve with rice, Naan breads or poppadoms.