YONDER WINDOW BREAKS

Glen Sands

After a gap of 16 years, Luddington and Garthorpe were able to meet and play for the Phil Hanson Memorial Trophy last weekend in a light-heated fundraising day which saw the North Lindsey League Division Three side take on pub league runners-up at Luddington for the commemorative bat which has been adopted as old stalwart Hanson's Trophy.
Once everyone had arrived and teams were settled upon Luddington skipper Gareth Parkin elected to field first , the rules being that each side would bat the fully allotted 30 overs regardless of how many wickets fell and it was'nt long before Garthorpe were one down as Joe Woolhouse was caught by Ashley Carroll by Rick Green , two players who ironically were helping Luddington out following two withdrawals ! Established Outcasts Saturday players Matthew Teal and Scott Buttrick ( who took a hat trick for the Priorymen the day before ) then showed some excellent form as they put together a partnership of 72 before Buttrick had to retire having reached 35 then wickets began to fall more regularly as Ashley Carroll picked up 2 for 11 from his three allotted overs and Gareth Parkin 2 for 17 but it was Arron Curry who "wrecked the middle order" when picking up 4 for 11 from his three overs which included that of Darren Mchyluk who hit what many said was his best shot of the season only to see Darren Clark take a good catch in the deep ! Matthew Teal ( 27 and 20 ) added some late impetous to the score but by the end of the 30 overs the total had reached 159 for 13 giving the Luddington scoreboard a rather surreal look!!
Darren Clark and Gareth Parkin got the Luddington reply off to a brisk start before the latter was bowled by younster Joe Woolhouse, then Kristian Reed joined Clark to move the total on to 55 including a towering six into the hedge from Reed as he made his way to 11 before he was next to go , caught by Simon Rusling off Rob Clement. Barry O'Brien was promoted to number four but had reached just two when hat-trick hero Scott Buttrick bowled him and having reached the cut off point of 35 Clark made way for Andy Lawson who promptly dispatched his first delivery over the hedge and almost to Eastoft! Rick Green was at the other end and he too was enjoying batting against his Sunday pub league colleagues, bludgeoning the ball to all parts , then Lawson was weel caught by Buttrick on the boudary off Clements who finished with 2 for 22 from his three overs. That brought old head Geoff Smith to the middle and he instantly set about what he saw was his task of guiding Ludd to victory.

With the aggressive Green going well at the other end they took the total to 147 for 4 when Green had to retire on 35, but not before a sizzling four had smashed into the score hut window to break the pane, the first time that has ever happened in all the years that Luddington have been playing at the Park Lane ground!

Ashley Carroll hit a quick fire eight and Arron Curry six but it was somewhat ironic that Phil Hanson's buddy Jimmy Roe was left to hit the winning runs from his number 10 berth leaving Smith unbeaten on 26 and earning Ludd the win by 4 wickets on what had been a terrific afternoon's cricket.
Luddington CC would like thank Andy Curry and Ray Moore for their sterling work at the barbeque on the day and to Mandy and Kerry O'Brien who sold the raffle tickets. Secretary Glen Sands introduced Wendy Hanson and son Colin who were in attendance to present the Memorial Bat in honour of the much-missed Phil after which everyone retired just as the clouds blew over as if to signal that the enjoyable day was over. The money raised from the day was around £85, although there is still that window to be replaced - but the winner on the day was the game of cricket and the fond memories of the grand old man that was Phil Hanson, the like of which cricket will be lucky to see again.
A vote of thanks also goes to Dill Pullan and Rick Green Snr for their umpiring of the fundraiser. They performed with honesty and no lack of ready wit!