LUDDINGTON v BOTTESFORD

NORTH LINDSEY LEAGUE DIVISION THREE

By Glen Sands, Luddington CC scorer

Luddington came back from the dead twice against lowly Bottesford who produced an exceptional performance against the Isle high fliers in what was an exciting match played in a fantastic spirit.
Luddington were invited to bat first by Bottesford skipper Dave Willey and it wasn't lomg before his decision appeared vindicated as Alan Watkins ripped through the top order like a knife through butter with some quality seam bowling. He began by trapping Darren Clark LBW for just two then bowled DannyTaylor , Gareth Parkin and Kristian Reed , then the prized scalp of Andy Lawson , leaving Luddington on a shattering 26 for 5 and setting himself up for a rare feat of picking up all ten wickets in an innings. Oliver Saxon and Steve Proctor then set about repairing the considerable damage caused by Bottesford's pace man and to their credit they stemmed the tide , taking bthe score to 66 before Saxon was caught by wicket keeper Dave Kilgallon for 16 to earn Watkins his sixth wicket. Arron Curry then joined Proctor and they took the total to 93 before visiting skipper Willey spoiled Watkins hopes of a full ten wicket haul when he had Curry caught behind for six. Proctor's heroic innings ended when he was bowled by Watkins for an invaluable 36 and the innings came to an end when Barry O'Brien was bowled by Nathan Goodall and Matt Mellers became Watkins 8th victim , leaving Ludd all out on 110 , which was much better than seemed likely at 26 for 5 !!
Despite climbing to three figures, Luddington knew that they needed to bowl well to win the game against a determined Bottesford side that belied their lowly status but they were put on the back foot by Dave Kilgallon and Matty Baxter who made a spledid start to the innings. The score had reached 38 when Kilgallon chopped the ball onto his stumps off the bowling of Matt Mellers having scored 16 but it was Baxter who appeared set to take the game away from Luddington as he smacked the ball to all parts in a devastating display. Matt Housam was bowled by Arron Curry for just four with the total on 55 but the turning point came when Mellers bowled the dangerous Baxter for 32 and suddenly the whole flow of the game changed. Richard Thorpe dug in for Bottesford but wickets began to fall at the other end as both Mellers and Curry bowled their team back into the game. The score had reached 90 when Curry reduced Bottesford to just three remaining wickets , then he induced a skied catch from Thorpe who was on 20 at the time which was well held by Danny Taylor and with a further 20 needed for victory the opposition finally crumbled , being reduced to 95 all out after which the home side were left to reflect on what had been a real battle.
So Luddington move to within two points of leaders Barton Academy Vikings in the table which effectively means that their game at Barton on Sunday will be for the Third Division title but they were made to fight extremely hard by a courageous Bottesford side for whom Alan Watkins was a true hero with his 8 for 24. As for the home side they had heroes of their own who stepped up to the plate when required. Steve Proctor's 36 and Oliver Saxon's 16 were essencial runs in a low scoring game whilst Matt Mellers 5 for 30 and Arron Curry's 5 for 41 were just as invaluable to keep Ludd's hopes of a league and Cup double alive.