SECOND-placed Barton Town had to be content with a narrow two-wicket triumph at home to Haxey in Lincolnshire County Cricket League premier division.

Messingham kept their noses in front in the race for the championship with a fine six-wicket win away to fellow challengers Alkborough, who started the day in fourth spot.

Scunthorpe Town lifted themselves out of the bottom two with a fine 90-run victory at the expense of mid-table South Kelsey.

Horncastle, who began the day just above the danger zone, defeated Bracebridge Heath 2nds by 110 runs, which increases the Lincoln team's concerns.

Division one strugglers Nettleham 2nds recorded a morale-boosting home win over Broughton, who went in search of a good points haul in their efforts to gain promotion.

Unfortunately, leaders Cherry Willingham's scheduled home game with Louth 2nds was a casualty of heavy overnight rain, with no play being possible.

Cleethorpes 3rds' worries over relegation grew with a 51-run reverse at Outcasts, while Holton-le-Clay had a good 46-run win at Scothern.

The important clash at the top of division two between two of the promotion-chasing sides saw Grimsby Town 2nds triumph by eight wickets over Messingham 2nds.

Meanwhile, Market Rasen – also bidding to step up a division next season – secured a narrow three-wicket win at Haxey 2nds.

Going well, Caistor 2nds could yet come up on the rails and notch a promotion spot, having beaten Alkborough 2nds by a comfortable seven wickets.

At the other end of the table, Cleethorpes 4ths won by four wickets at Owmby – another of the lowly-ranked teams – while bottom side Outcasts 2nds lost by only 11 runs to mid-table Hartsholme 2nds.

Division three's top clash saw leaders Keelby beat third-placed Hibaldstow by seven wickets, while Barton Town 2nds won at lowly Broughton 2nds by five wickets.

However, Cherry Willingham 2nds' relegation concerns intensified with a three-wicket reverse at Immingham Blossom Way – one of the teams they are hoping to overtake.

At the foot of division four, Brigg Town won their wooden spoon battle with Scunthorpe Town 3rds by the wide margin of 97 runs.

But the only other game in the basement section not called off due to wet conditions was Alford 2nds' 28-run win over Morton.

Cleethorpes CC's home match against Castleford in the Yorkshire League was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. All games in the Lincolnshire ECB Premier League were also cancelled.