CAISTOR, who started the day in second spot, took only eight points from their Lincolnshire County Cricket League match with Scunthorpe Town.

The premier division showdown had to be abandoned not long after tea, due to rain.

Messingham took full advantage and extended their lead at the top of the league with a 32-run win at South Kelsey, which brought them maximum points.

Barton Town stepped up their challenge for the title with an eight-wicket triumph at home to Horncastle.

Haxey secured a fine seven-wicket victory at Cleethorpes 2nds, and Bracebridge Heath 2nds moved out of the relegation places with a four-wicket win at bottom-placed Appleby-Frodingham 2nds.

Division one leaders Cherry Willingham were struggling with the bat when their game at fellow promotion-chasers Broughton had to be abandoned.

However, Alford stepped up their bid for a return to the top flight with an emphatic eight-wicket win over lowly Nettleham 2nds.

Outcasts chased down a total above 200 to win at home to Holton-le-Clay, while Louth 2nds inched home in a close encounter with Scothern by 11 runs.

Division two's top clash saw leaders Messingham 2nds suffer a 16-run home defeat at the hands of second-placed Market Rasen.

The other promotion clash ended in a 69-run win for Grimsby Town 2nds, who hosted Caistor 2nds.

Bottom side Outcasts 2nds gained a decent points haul from a rain-affected game at Alkborough 2nds.

But Cleethorpes 4ths – the side immediately above Outcasts – lost heavily to Hartsholme 2nds.

Haxey 2nds – just clear of danger at the start of play – won by 29 runs against Owmby.

Division three's busy programme saw promotion hopefuls Hibaldstow move into top gear with a huge 225-run win at lowly Cherry Willingham 2nds, and it was a similar story for fourth-in-the-table Washingborough, who beat Immingham Blossom Way by 186 runs.

Leaders Keelby saw off Barton Town 2nds by five wickets, but second-placed Stamford Homes failed to take maximum points while beating bottom-placed Holton-le-Clay 2nds.

Scunthorpe Town 2nds put a little daylight between themselves and the relegation places with a 76-run win over another of the lowly sides, Broughton 2nds.

Division four has new leaders, South Kelsey 2nds, following their 10-wicket defeat of second-from-bottom Scunthorpe Town 3rds.

Old Lincolnians slip to second place after their game with Alford 2nds was ruined by the rain.

Hykeham 2nds, who began the day in third-from-bottom spot, inched to a two-wicket win over Keelby 2nds in a very low-scoring game.

However, bottom side Brigg Town lost heavily at Market Rasen 2nds.