SPRINGFIELD Ibwest head the top flight of the John Pettit Grimsby & District Cricket League after a 37-run victory over Western Old Boys at the Stamford Homes Ground.

Springfield, first to use the wicket, were quickly one down when their talismanic opener James Osmond fell cheaply.

Hollamby (32) and Haith (39no) then steadied the ship, with the latter navigating his team to 98 for five from 20 overs.

Ian Hallam and Mick Barton both chipped in with a couple of wickets for the Old boys.

The Western reply was torn apart by opening bowlers G Bland (three for 22) and James Osmond (5-1-18-4).

Jamie Richardson (33) offered some resistance but could only watch as batsmen came and went in rapid succession before he fell to Alex Osmond (one for 12).

Western were eventually all out for 61 in the 15th over.

Waltham Millers hauled themselves off the bottom of the table and condemned Catholic Sports to the wooden spoon position with a three-wicket victory at Barratts.

Opener Barlow dominated with the bat for the Catholics as he scored 51 in a low total of 83 runs.

Judah (two for ten), Harvey (four for 19) and Purdue (17) were the men who did the damage.

Miller's Hanson (17) and Judah (25) gave their team a platform despite the best efforts of Henry (two for 19) and Clifton (4-0-7-1).

Clarke also managed to pick up three wickets but a late flurry of runs in between times resulted in Millers securing their first win of the season with 14 balls and three wickets in hand.

In division two, Eddie Carlton's return after picking up an early season injury lifted Wilkin Chapman BWT to their first league win of the season.

His swashbuckling 94 was instrumental in a victory over fellow strugglers Willy's.

Opening with Andy Ottley (35no), Chapman guided the pair to a 146-run stand before Carlton was caught just feet from the boundary as he went for his third maximum that would have brought up his fourth century for the side.

Callum Robinson kept up the tempo and struck 14 from the last seven balls and BWT closed on a healthy 164 for one.

Containment was the order of the day with the ball and Chris Laister and Callum Robinson bowled maturely, with Laister returning tidy figures of 5-0-19-0.

Cowlam (23) and Butterfield (27) looked steady but a marvellous one-handed catch over the shoulder from Ottley off Robinson dismissed Cowlam to break the partnership.

John Hampson capitalised on the need for acceleration and big -hitting from the batsmen and recorded figures of four for 31.

Wragg's 42no was a valiant effort, but the visitors closed 45 runs short, on 119 for six.

At the other end of the table, PO Milan 1sts remained unbeaten and ensured Old Clee's winless run continued with a five-wicket win that went to the last over of the game.

Will Abe opened for Old Clee and totally dominated the scoring.

He was eventually dismissed by Jon Blockley (three for 20) having amassed 67 of his sides final total of 90 for five.

A close finish looked on the cards as the regular wickets fell in the Post Office reply, with Pexman (two for 13) dismissing both openers.

Holmes dug in and fought back with a vital 32no to guide his team home.

Another team showing their promotion credentials are Grimsby Town Pumas who overcame a strong Emplex side by six wickets at Augusta Street.

Consistent batting down the order allowed Emplex to post 146 for seven from their 20 overs, with openers Coy (23) and Blackburn (32) building the platform for J Maddocks (25no) to score some late runs.

Dave White was the leading wicket taker with three for 34.

The Pumas judged their run chase to perfection, with Harry Warwick (46) giving them a great start before becoming one of Cocks' two wickets for 27 runs.

Perera (26) was his other victim but Waters with 34no sealed the win and kept the Pumas on course to bounce straight back into division one.

Another dominant display by the Punjab Lions saw them continue their winning run in division three.

Humberston BW were this week's unfortunate victims, although they managed a much stronger display than most of the teams that have challenged the Lions this year.

As ever, on winning the toss the Lions chose to bat.

Openers Indi Sandhu and Indi Hayre recorded another 100+ opening partnership, taking only ten overs to reach three figures.

Their stand was only broken when Sandhu was run out three short of his 50.

Assisted by Vishnu (21no), Hayre went on to reach his century before running out of overs on 107no, having crashed nine boundaries and four maximums as the Lions closed on 182 for two.

Humberston started the run chase strongly but soon the wickets started to fall.

Wild top-scored with 17 as several batters got themselves in but couldn't make the big score required to challenge their imposing target.

Both Girish (two for 24) and Udi Sheikh (two for 15) bagged a brace of wickets but late runs from Brian Bagnall (15) and Hayley Butts (13no) ensured that Humberston reached three figures and closed on 101 for eight – a feat few teams have managed against the Lions.

Hot on the heals of the league leaders are Harvest Moon, who made it three wins on the trot against Rovers at both team's shared home at HLC.

Rovers posted 111 for four from their 20 overs after contributions from Gash (29), Vivins (23) and Lawler (28). Phil Hutchinson was leading wicket taker, with two for 29.

The Rovers' bowling attack made early inroads into the Moon's top order, with Kershaw (one for 28) and Jones (two for 28) dismissing the top three batsmen cheaply.

Gav Warnock (37) and Turner (33) swung the game back towards the Moon before a 21no from Baker clinched the victory with two overs to spare.

The top-of-the-table clash in division four saw Tetney beat Woodlands in a lop-sided game by 94 runs.

Dean Jacklin (32) and Paul Shawcross (31) shared an impressive opening stand for Tetney.

Ant George (58) and Jack Harrison (31) increased the tempo before they were both dismissed by Martin Robinson (1-0-13-2) as the visitors closed on 182 for four.

Tony Potter top-scored for Woodlands with 21, while fellow opener Johnny Leach (19) was one of Khan's (5-1-15-3) three victims.

Stuart Mulligan added 15 not out as Woodlands were held to 88 for six.

Joint-leaders, Hendry Electrical put struggling Novartis 1sts to the sword with a nine-wicket win.

Novartis lost early wickets to Lehman (5-1-26-3) and Garnwell (4-0-19-3) as only John Mawer (13) from the top order reached double figures.

Okopskyj hit a battling 25no, but a four-wicket haul from Lenny Rodgers (4.3-0-20-4) saw Novartis bowled out for 92 in the 18th over.

Hendry's opener Jon Battersby came out in attacking fashion and scored 52 before departing.

Gamwell (21no) and Williams (17no) eased the hosts home after 14 overs.

In their game with Cystal Millennium, three Westlands batsmen – Keal (23), Powell (16) and Patterson (12) – made starts before they were sent packing by Charles (5-0-34-3).

Tommy Watson went on to make 13no as Westlands closed on 92 for six.

Ken Meech bowled a parsimonious spell of 5-4-3-1 at the start of Millennium's reply.

Unfortunately for the home side, none of the other bowlers were able to back him up as Neil Burniston made 30, and Welsh (35 not out) and Charles (19 not out) guided Millennium home to a seven-wicket win in the 19th over.

A fine opening stand set division five leaders Clee Vagabonds on course for a 54-run victory over Stallingborough.

Dan Tolson was the first Vagabond to fall having made 52, while Robert Brice went on to score 94 before he was bowled by Trevor Crofts (5-0-27-1).

Matt Shelton's eight not out saw the Vagabonds through to a total of 171 for two.

Mike Harness (5-0-27-2) picked up his second Stallingborongh wicket when he had Dave Wesley (33) stumped.

Knocks from Crofts (29) and Bruce Roberts (37 not out) proved to be ineffectual as they were held to 117 for four.

In glorious sunshine Clee United Old Boys elected to bat first against Norfolk line, but after three overs were two for two.

But a third-wicket partnership of 104 between Phil Merrison (69) and Mike Hart (28) turned the game around in favour of the hosts.

Graham Hackney added 10 before a 19no knock from Chris Toohill, and Richard Hull's 13no, gave Clee United a total of 153 for five.

For the visitors, the bowling picks were Neil Arundel (5-2 19-2) and Hildreth (5-0-30-2).

Norfolk Line made a good start through their openers Moran (12) and Towse, who hit a quick-fire 21.

Hildreth made 24 in support of Arundel, who scored an excellent 66 to keep their side in the hunt.

Wickets, however, at crucial times for spinner Trevor Church (5-0-40-3) and Hackney (5-0-30-2), limited Norfolk line to 140 for eight, 13 behind Clee United.

Crows Nest 1sts gained a convincing 64-run victory over Keelby after scoring 137 for four at King George.

Paul Holmes dominated the scoring with an unbeaten 57 after losing fellow opener Lewis MacDonald (22) to P Briggs (5-0-30-2), who also picked up the wicket of Gray (12).

Also bagging a brace for Keelby was Rennie (3-0-24-2).

Jimmy Rock grabbed two quick wickets to put Keelby in trouble before coming back later to finish with four for 24 from five overs.

MacDonald took two for 15 from his five as unbeaten knocks of 37 and 11 from Briggs and Bates respectively gave Keelby a total of 73 for seven.

The top two in division six met at Barretts, with Post Office Milan 2nds cruising to an eight-wicket win over One Medical 2nds.

Andy Currie (5-0-28-4) took the first of his four wickets when he dismissed Hawkins (11).

Dan Stephen top-scored for One Medical with 15, while Shay Offiler added ten before he was bowled by Chris Bostoft (4.3-0-15-3).

lan Bontoft (4-1-12-2) chipped in with two wickets as One Medical were bowled out for 78 in the 19th over.

Glyn Benbow struck a dashing 38 to set the Posties on their way before he was caught off Chris Horsfall (2-0-11-2), who then dismissed Nev Stone for nine.

Opener Nathan Stannard maintained his form with 23no to see PO Milan home in the 15th over.

A beautifully measured innings of 58no by Mawer saw Novartis 2nds gain their first win of the season when they met Phoenix 2nds.

In the Phoenix innings Kev Harris (14) and Gareth Cook (29) laid the foundations before Zubair (50no) took control and the hosts finished on 123 for six.

For the visitors, S Fields bowled a tidy spell of 5-1-13-0, while Rick McLellan (5-0-22-3) and Martin (5-0-48-2) were amongst the wickets.

Number three Mawer hit his unbeaten 50 with useful support from Taylor (17), McLellaa (14) and Deans (nine not out) to steer Novartis home to their three wicket win at the start of the 18th over.

For Phoenix, Tim Tait picked off four splendid victims behind the timbers, while Craig Dickson took the bowling honours with three for 21 from five overs.

Zubair collected two for 15 from two.

3Q maintained their 100 per cent record in division seven with a nine-wicket victory over Whitgift.

Whitgift openers D Grest (14) and Richard Braithwaite (11) gave their side a good start before they were both dismissed by Jameson (4-0-15-2).

Fellow new-ball bowler Carr (4-0-18-2) then got amongst the wickets before change bowlers Howard (4-2-8-2) and Matthews (4-1-4-2) kept the shackles on with miserly spells.

H Brady made ten not out to take Whitgift's score up to 45 for eight after 16 overs.

After losing an early wicket, Jason Moore (17no) and Jameson (24no) guided 3Q home in the seventh over.

Healing RBL remain hot on the heels of 3Q after defeating Grimsby Institute by 70 runs.

Pete O'Connor (5-2-11-4) bowled a fine spell for the Institute and included Winship (21) amongst his victims.

The Healing innings was dominated by an excellent 87 not out from Wright and with support from Altoft (14) and Parker (eight not out) they closed on 157 for six.

Winship (5-0-19-3) removed both the Institute openers, lan Barnsley (30) and Michael (11).

Then a four-wicket burst from Godley (5-0-23-4) brought down Goodman (12) and put paid to the visitors middle-order.

Parker (5-0-19-2) bagged a brace of wickets, while an unbeaten 13 from FJlis gave the Institute a total of 87 all out after 19 overs.

Honours List, Divisions 4-7

Batting: R Brice, Clee Vagbonds, 94; Wright , Healing RBL, 87 not out; P Merrison, Clee united Old Boys, 68; N Arundel, Norfolk Line, 66; A George, Tetney, 58; Mawer, Novartis 2, 58 not out; P Holmes, Crows Nest 1, 57 not out; J Battersby, Hendry Electrical, 52; D Tolson, Clee Vagabonds 52; Zobair, Phoenix 2, 50 not out.

Bowling: P O'Connor, Grimsby Institute 5-2-11-4; L Rodgers, Hendry Electrical 4.3-0-20-4; Godley, Healing RBL 5-0-23-4; J Rock, Crows List 1 5-0-24-4; A Currie, PO Milan 2 5-0-28-4.

Fielding: T Tait, Phoenix 2, 4 catches.