UPTON LIFT TROPHY

By Glen Sands, North Lindsey League

Upton cum Kexby lifted the North Lindsey League Division Three KO Cup after a hard-fought victory over Luddington at Barton's magnificent Marsh Lane ground.
Luddington won the toss and found runs hard to come by as Ben Alsop and Alan Orton bowled very well to bottle up the Isle sides scoring opportunities. Graham Clark was caught by wicket keeper Hayden Green and Kristian Reed soon followed when he was bowled by Orton leaving Ludd struggling on 10 for 2 and things did'nt improve for them when skipper Gareth Parkin was caught by List off Orton for just six with the total standing at 18. Andy Lawson and Danny Taylor moved the score up to 46 before Taylor was bowled by Will Birkett then Oliver Saxon and Lawson added 31 runs before the impressive Lawson was bowled by Ross McLeod for an excellent 52. Steve Proctor ( 14 ) Saxon ( 13 ) and Matty Mellers ( 8 ) helped Luddington reach 112 all out but it was the Upton bowlers who should take the plaudits with some terrific displays , non more so than skipper Jimmy Snee who ended the innings with 4 for 2 from just 2.2 overs.
Upton's reply got off to an impressive start , although Graham Clark did have Shaun Metcalf caught behind by Steve Proctor in the first over. That saw Hayden green enter the frey and he batted superbly as he struck 41 in a partnership of 64 before he was caught by Clark off Arron Curry. By then Upton were in control of the match and despite some tight bowling from Curry and Barry O'Brien they eased to their target with just now and again a minor blip when Curry bowled List for 4 and Matt Green for 18. Matthew Mellers also nipped in with two late wickets , those of Jimmy Snee for 14 and Orton for 12 but it was left to home grown talent Spencer to hit the winning boundary to send the Upton supporters into whoops of delight as they deservedly clinched their first trophy of the North Lindsey League.


DIVISION ONE
Cleethorpes 5ths are back at the top of the table again following their 17 runs victory over Barton Town 3rds , Ed Carlton hitting 62 and Pat Hughes 59 for the Meggies who then restricted Barton Town 3rds to 200 for 9 , Nick Judah taking 3 for 28 as McInereny hit 55 not out and Andy Genney 37 for Barton. Caistor Cougars are back up to joint second after they beat Scunthorpe 4ths by 28 runs , posting a total of 224 for 5 thanks to 65 from Liam Wood and 60 from Harry Boulton , although Ian Snowden had them sweating for a while when hitting 107 as Scunthorpe replied with 196 for 9 , Tom Boryszczuk taking 5 for 56 for the Cougars. Appleby Frodingham 3rds are also well in the mix for the First Division title and their hopes were enhanced when they beat Messingham 3rds by 58 runs , Matty Fowler proving to be their man of the match as he scored 53 in their total of 177 all out before taking 4 for 19 as Messingham were bowled out for 119 , Cameron Fletcher scoring 43.

DIVISION TWO
Grimsby Town 3rds are within a point of confirming their promotion to Division One following a tough win against Alkborough 3rds who made 204 for 9 thanks chiefly to Craig Ross who hit 109 , Darren Burchall taking 5 for 17 before Harry Warwick replied with 89 and Ben Volley 57 for Grimsby. Hibaldstow 2nds beat Wheatley & Leverton by 5 runs in a high scoring match that saw Dale Coy hit 78 and Jon Taylor 59 not out as Hibaldstow scored 215 for 5 only for Wheatley to run them very close when replying with210 for 6 , Jon Loates making 54 and Callum Harrison 50. Haxey 3rds beat Broughton 3rds to keep up their promotion challenge , bowling Broughton out for 132 , Nick Crawford hitting 41 and Robbie Glentworth 38 , Oliver Tonks taking 3 for 19 then hitting 58 not out as Haxey eased to 134 for 5. Finally Outcasts 3rds climbed above Brigg Town 3rds at the foot of the table after beating them by 6 wickets , Brigg being bowled out for 164 thanks to Tom Sharpe's 4 for 65 , then Peter Tait guided the Isle team to 165 for 4 when hitting 60 not out at Hirsts Priory.

DIVISION THREE
Epworth beat Bottesford in a double header played at Luddington where both Epworth opening batsmen hit unbeaten tons , Glemo 101 and B Clark 100 as they reached an incredible 334 for 5 , Dave Willey picking up 4 for 71 for Bottesford who were then bowled out for 114 , Wajid Khan scoring 43 as " Yorkie " Mychaluk took 4 for 23 for Epworth.