Nettleham (197-9) drew with Bourne (204ao)

VICTORY slipped through Bourne’s fingers with a dropped catch against Nettleham in the Lincolnshire Premier Division on Saturday.

In a thrilling finish an unnamed Bourne fielder spilled a tough chance off Charlie Hopkins from the game’s final delivery.

Nettleham chasing Bourne’s 204, closed on 197-9, and the missed catch left the teams sharing the spoils from a dramatic game of cricket which saw both sides gunning for a win at the Abbey Lawn.

Bourne skipper David Christmas said: “I’m not telling you who dropped the catch, but it was a difficult one. Anyway it was a cracking game of cricket and Nettleham deserved a lot of credit for never once playing for the draw.”

Ben Stroud, who hit 80 last week, again dominated the Bourne’s innings hitting 72 with Chris Dring (32) and Owen Smith (21) offering most support.

Cliff Spinks (5-67) bowled with guile to spin Bourne close to victory, but Nettleham’s last pair survived the last four overs .

Elsewhere Market Deeping sit in fourth place in the league after a draw at lowly Caistor.

Charlie Kearns spanked 86 of Deeping’s 193 and Nick Cowley (3-34 off 17 overs) delivered a captain’s performance with the ball.

Skegness moved into second place after a win at Messingham, despite the home side amassing what, in most cases, would have been a winning total of 245 before their final wicket fell.

Sleaford moved up a place, swapping positions with opponents Lindum, and Grimsby moved back into the top half of the table with a last over victory at home to Woodhall Spa.

League leaders Bracebridge Heath once again topped the 300 mark, racing to 314 for five against Louth but again the reigning champions failed to bowl out the opposition.

Results: Bracebridge Heath 314-5 (John 133, P Cook 58), Louth 189-5 (G West 93); Bourne 204 (Stroud 72, Carter 5-57), Nettleham 197-9 (Spinks 5-61); Market Deeping 193 (C Kearns 86, Warmoth 5-70), Caistor 171-8 (J Parker 89no); Messingham 245 (Scheepers 61), Skegness 248-5 (Docker 100); Lindum 197-8 (Hornsby 59), Sleaford 198-2 (Burford 85, Gunawardena 77no); Woodhall Spa 220-9 (Crook 98, Nel 53, Brown 5-46), Grimsby 224-4 (Perera 76).