A 10 man 4th team restricted Spalding to 145 off 45 overs. Wickets from Alex Hackney, Dave Langford and Mason Hildreth (début) along with 2 run-outs gained 3 bowling points.
Spalding never got to grips with the bowling of the other debutants, Harry Robinson and Jaden Fell.  Grantham got off to a flyer and were coasting at 65-1 before a middle order collapse saw 3 quick wickets fall. The ever dependable Dave Langford held it together and reached 57 before falling lbw. Alex Hackney and Nick Fruin then made a late dash for the win as they took the Spalding spin attack apart. Unfortunately the missing man was to cost the game when Spalding mopped up the tail with the return of pace just 9 runs short.

Grantham’s Sunday 1^st XI began their league campaign in fine form with a huge victory over Ashby Carrington.  Grantham started the day badly, losing the toss, but from that point, everything went the way of the home side.  Rohan Nurse and David Whapplington (18) opened the batting, trying to find form that had eluded them thus far on Saturday’s.  Whapplington looked to be in good form before he was undone by opening bowler Simon Palmer.  Rohan led the scoring from that point gaining confidence and ease at the crease.  Two others came and went before Matthew Wing (63*) came to the crease.  The pair ended the innings with an unbeaten partnership of 149 and Rohan Nurse batted the full 50 overs to score 158 not out.  A truly magnificent effort from the overseas captain.

Despite being faced with a mammoth target of 272 for victory, Ashby Carrington came out with a point to prove and there were numerous contributions from throughout the ranks.  Tarol Naik (36), Alan Smith (28*) and captain Tony Devenish (15) all batted with determination but, in the end, the target was too great to overcome and the visitors ended 154-8.  Pick of the bowlers was Joe Peck (10-2-3-21).  Grantham hope to maintain their momentum in to next week away to Woolsthorpe.

Grantham 3rds made the journey to Cavaliers for the second match of the season and, on winning the toss, Grantham choose to bowl.  With 14 runs on the scoreboard Grantham made the first break through with Will Abbot (2-12) finding the edge of the bat. Wickets continued to fall at a steady rate with only Vidit Matta (83) providing steady resistance. Phil Abbot was the stand out bowler taking (5-25) whilst Craig Corby supported from the other end with (2-33). Grantham bowled out Cavaliers for 185.

Grantham’s reply got off to a difficult start with 3 men already back in the pavilion with the score on 34. Debutant Chris Hall top scored with a steady but excellent knock of 63. However, with only Will Abbot (25*) playing any supportive role, Grantham fell 43 runs short of victory as they ran out of overs, finishing on 143-8. Grantham 3rds welcome Welby 1st XI to Gorse Lane next week.

In a rain affected match, Grantham batted well to set home-side, Grimsby a formidable total of 236 on a pitch where runs were hard to come by.  Two batsmen stood out for Grantham: Stewart Mudie battled hard after facing 31 balls without scoring to end up with 54 and Karanjit Bansal stuck in as others fell around him to end the innings unbeaten on 89.

Unfortunately the rain fell hard during tea and the visitors never got the chance to secure any further points when the game was abandoned at the interval.  However, full batting bonus points puts Grantham mid-table as they play their first home game next week against Woodhall Spa.

Grantham hosted early season favourites, Boston, at Gorse Lane. After losing the toss, Grantham were watchful in the face of some tidy bowling and made slow but steady progress with the evergreen Martin Parmley (41) leading the way. Unfortunately Parmley received little support and, after losing too many cheap wickets, Grantham stumbled along to 113.

Boston lost Hood early in their reply to Adam Parker and Ady Wing then removed the dangerous Newman to give Grantham a glimmer of hope but Baxter and Musson saw Boston over the line.

With the season starting at home for Grantham, a new look 3rd team was chosen for the game against Skegness 2nds. Grantham lost the toss and were asked to field on good-quality April track.  From the start it looks like a good toss to lose with the first wicket falling with 7 on the total.  Wickets continued to fall however Richie Hewitt (25) and Ashley Redgard (27*) did provide slight resistance.  Adam Parker (2-26) bowled exceptionally well with the ball old and new, Danny Ashley (4-17) dismissed the top three, Adrian Wing (2-27) took the last wicket with an excellent caught and bowled: for a minute it looked like superman was taking the catch! Jake Unsworth and Rahul Kumar each got a wicket.

With Grantham chasing a below par score of 144, the batsman made the chase look simple, reaching the target within 31 overs. Martin Parmley (28) played some excellent off drives, ably supported by Danny Bates (86*) who made the pitch look like a batsman’s dream scoring his runs off just 72 balls.  Bates and Max Everett (16*) were able to see the runs off with little effort. Grantham 3’s travel away to Lindum in a highly anticipated week which will see Grantham field 4 teams for the first time on a Saturday!