Spalding 3rd (110) lost to Claypole (111-6) by 4 wickets: Spalding’s youthful third side were far from outclassed as they suffered a battling defeat against promotion-chasing Claypole in South Lincs and Border League Division Two on Saturday.
Having been put into bat first, Jazz Tott (33) and captain Jimmy Clarke (20) top scored in Town’s total of 110 at Spalding Grammar School.
Sanj Tott (4-52) and Joe Lyon (2-20) did their best with the ball as Claypole looked doomed on 48-6, but got over the line in the 21st over to hand Spalding a first loss in Division Two.
Skipper Clarke said: “It’s always hard to lose from a position like we had Claypole in, but I have full praise for the lads for battling throughout the game against opponents that are looking at securing promotion this year.
“But the youngsters will have learnt so much from the match and that is the purpose of the development squad
“Hopefully we can put in another good performance this week against Timberlands.”
As always at this stage of the season, the toss was key. Sadly for Spalding Clarke lost – and his side were duly put into bat. Town lost their first wicket in the opening over with Keith De Keyser going for a second-ball duck.
But Tom Wilson (17), on his first game back for the club after six years, and Jake Morton (13) batted with great composure to steady the ship before both eventually fell to Ben Ryder (4-26).
Wickets fell quickly with Will Holmes (0), Lewis Martin (1) and Richard Gilbert (5) all dismissed to leave Spalding on 46-6.
However, Jazz Tott (33) was joined by his skipper Clarke (24) and they cautiously edged the total towards respectability. Tott was once again the aggressor, despatching anything that was hittable while Clarke played another stubborn innings.
The tail wagged a little too, as Spalding reached a defendable 110 when they were bowled out in 43.4 overs.
Claypole started their reply at a good rate as they reached 22 before Sanj Tott trapped Rob Pealing LBW.
He and Lyon troubled the visiting top order considerably, as they picked up wickets at an incredible rate.
Andrew Attewell was next to go for five, thanks largely to a top diving catch from Clarke, while four more batsmen fell to leave Town seemingly in command.
But big hitting from Luke Endley (37) – who smashed two sixes – and Ryder(29) saw runs come at a rapid rate and Claypole cruised past their target.
Next up for Spalding 3rd is a home clash with Timberlands on Saturday (1.30pm).