LUDD WIN ISLE DERBY

By Glen Sands

The Isle of Axholme derby went to form yesterday, when Epworth entertained joint North Lindsey League division three leaders Luddington at their Carrside ground, the North Axholme side running out comfortable nine-wicket victors against a plucky Epworth team.
Epworth were invited to bat first and reached 13 before Andy Bates was caught behind by Steve Proctor off Barry O'Brien for five, and O'Brien picked up a second victim when bowling Mike Newton for 13 with the total on 20. Number three batsman Mark Strawbridge held the innings together as wickets fell regularly at the other end. Matt Mellers bowled Connor for a single, then ex-Ludd player Rick Green stuck around for a while until being well caught by Arron Curry off O'Brien for eight. Epworth's middle order crumbled as both O'Brien and Mellers took four wickets each, then Curry came on to mop up the tail, picking up two for one from just one over, Strawbridge being the last man out for a well constructed 27, leaving the all-out total at 65.
The only down side for Luddington was a nasty cut to the hand picked up by Andy Lawson when attempting a slip catch which would have prevented him from batting had he been required but his team-mates ensured that he wasn't required when easing to 69 for 1 from just over eleven overs. Danny Taylor was the only wicket to fall, caught by a diving Ian Rusling off Dean Elviss for two, but Darren Clark made 38 not out and skipper Gareth Parkin 22 not out to guide Luddington to another three points in their quest for promotion.