Sargeant leads visitors to victory over Grimsby

A SUPERB all-round display from Matt Sargeant condemned Grimsby Town to a four-wicket home defeat in the Lincolnshire ECB Premier League.

Fresh from a career best eight for 50, Sargeant hit 60 not out as leaders Woodhall Spa took 20 points from their trip to Augusta Street.

Grimsby were put in to bat first and, with captain Jim Morgan showing positive intent, the home side raced to 33 in only five overs.

Morgan, pictured right, hit 28 from only 20 balls, but then edged a ball from Sargeant which Ben O'Brien caught at second slip.

From a position of 43 without loss, Grimsby slumped to 48 for four as Carnelley, Harry Warwick and Steve Crossley departed for low scores.

Jack Wilson received a good ball from Sargeant which clipped his off stump, and Harry Clewett was trapped lbw by the same bowler.

The only resistance came from number six, Dan Wood, who smashed 51 from only 42 balls, including nine boundaries.

Town were all out for only 145 in the 31st over – Sargeant finishing with eight wickets, while O'Brien claimed two for 53 with his steady medium pace.

To their credit, the home battled hard in the field and showed spirit before going on to lose by four wickets with 30 overs to spare.

Spinner Clewett opened the bowling and took two for 46 from almost 17 overs, bowling with great control as he racked up seven maidens.

He was supported well by medium pacer Sean Woolley, who took three for 40 – his best figures of the season.

Woolley dismissed Lincolnshire batsman Jon Cheer for 17 as Crossley took a sharp catch stood up.

He then trapped former Sri Lankan Test player, Prasanna Jayawardene, lbw for 24.

Clewett bowled his Imp County team-mate, Sam Evison (21), as the visitors struggled to 66 for five in the 24th over.

Former Woodhall player Charles Wright was then delighted to have his one-time captain, Jack Luffman, caught and bowled for eight.

However, any hopes of a Town victory were soon dispelled as Sargeant smashed an undefeated, match-winning 60 not out from only 59 balls.

He hit two sixes and nine fours in his innings, to complete an impressive personal display.

With Sleaford falling to a narrow defeat against Lindum, the title now looks destined to make its way to Jubilee Park – unless Woodhall slip up badly.