Sleaford CC 1st XI v Granthan CC 1st XI Lincs Premier League 27th March 2024, Gorse Lane

The 1st XI travelled to Grantham and were asked to bat 1st having lost the toss. Aayush Patel made 52 at the top of the order with new overseas signing Daniel Smith contributing 39. Top scorer again was captain Shorthouse with 65 in a competitive total of 235/8 in their 50 overs. In reply, an early run out brought Qundeel Haider to the crease and whilst wickets were falling at the other end he was able to put regular loose deliveries away to the boundary. Shorthouse alongside Kieran Harbron, Smith and Mansfield with their varieties of slow bowling, managed to stem the flow of runs to an extent whilst picking up the odd wicket. This ensured a tight finish and was likely down to whether Haider could carry his bat. Carry it he did, completing a fine century in the process, as he saw Grantham over the line off the final ball of the innings. Pick of the bowlers again was Shorthouse with 3/30 in 10 economical overs. A wicket apiece for Tite, Harbron and Smith. A tough start to the 2024 season, having lost both their opening fixtures, Sleaford look to bounce back with a trip north to Grimsby next week.