BROUGHTON v LUDDINGTON - BROUGHTON EVENING LEAGUE

BY GLEN SANDS

Luddington got off to a very sloppy start against Broughton in their evening league encounter and never recovered as the table-toppers racked up a huge total of 168 for 9 thanks chiefly to a scintilating 58 not out from Nick Dobbs, off just 33 deliveries.
It was not to be a good day for opening bowler Jon Wroot who for once was a little wayward and was punished to the degree of going for 50 runs in his spell whilst Jason Whiteley finished with 4 for 37 when picking up a couple of late wickets when Broughton were trying to pile on the agony. It was Whiteley who took the first wicket when bowling Robbie Glentworh for 12 then James Micklethwaite quickly followed , giving Wroot his one wicket of the innings. Young master Dobbs then entered the fray and he batted superbly , taking on all comers with some outstanding shots. Shaun Clark was third man to fall , bowled by Whiteley for 18 which brough Neil Simpson to rhe crease. Dobbs reached his half century and retired according to league rules and the run rate steadied as Alex Fletcher and Scott Buttrick wrestled back some small authority for the Isle side. Nick Crawford was bowled by Fletcher for six then wicket keeper Andy Colebrook brilliantly stumped Simpson off Andy Torr when Simpson had reached 33. Wickets then fell quickly as Buttrick picked up one and Whiteley a further two but that heralded the return of Dobbs for the final over and h went on to finish 58 not out as Broughton posted a ttal of 168 for 9 which looked a tall order for Luddington.
Oliver Coulman and Russell Fletcher opened for Ludd and had took the score to 15 when the latter was bowled by Jake Parker for nine. Skipper Andy Lawson hit a quickfire 14 before launching a skier which was excellently taken by man of the match Dobbs off Paul Reed  then Robbie Glentworth  picked up his first wicket when Coulman was caught by Micklethwaite having scored nine singles. Scott Buttrick was next to go , caught by Neil Simpson off Reed for eight and at 48 for 4 it needed a near miracle if Ludd were to get anything from the match. Andy Torr and Anthony Fitzgerald put together  a stand of 33 before Torr was out for 28 having smacked two tremendous sixes but overs were quickly running out and the match ended with Fitzgerald on six not out and Jason Whieley on 13 leaving the visitors on 96 for 5 , a good distance from the target set by their hosts who remain top of the table and unbeaten in their opening five matches.
They will take that record to bottom of the table Normanby Park next Wednesday whilst things don't get any easier for Luddington who entertain Appleby-Frodingham on June 27th, looking to arrest their string of hefty defeats. 



HOW THEY STAND
1. BROUGHTON 5 5 0 0 0 15
2. SCUN SCORPIONS 5 4 1 0 0 12
3. APP-FRODINGHAM 5 3 2 0 0 9
4. LUDDINGTON 5 1 3 1 0 4
5. HIBALDSTOW 5 1 3 1 0 4
6. NORMANBY PARK 5 0 5 0 0 0