LUDD IN LAST OVER THRILLER - AGAIN

By Glen Sands

For the second week running Luddington were involved in a last over thriller but this time they were not to be the winners as Sykehouse opener Jim Davies batted right through their innings to guide his team home in the Snaith District Evening League.
It was the Isle side who chose to bat first when winning the toss but they soon found themselves a wicket down when Jamie Belton was run out by an excellent direct throw at the stumps. That brought the Clark brothers together and the two siblings produced an outstanding partnership of 99 runs with Darren finally pushing on from his regular " twenty something " to make 54 before he was caught off the bowling of Mick Gallagher in the 16th over. That over proved to be quite a turning point in the match as a whole as Graham Clark was run out for 40 and skipper Andy Lawson bowled without troubling the scorers and a prospective total of 150 plus was reduced to a disappointing 126 for 5 from their alloted overs , Russell Fletcher hitting eleven whilst Scott Buttrick and Gareth Parkin finished both on four not out.
The Sykehouse reply got off to a stuttering start when Phil Sanders was spledidly caught at slip by Darren Clark off Graeme Fletcher then Ben Miller joined Jim Davies to push the score along at a decent rate with some excellent running between the wickets. Miller was well caught on the boundary by Oliver Saxon off Russell Fletcher having made a busy 15 but that brought Mick Gallagher to the crease and along with the impressive Davies he steered Sykehouse into a commanding position. They appeared to be cruising to victory until Graeme Fletcher returned to bowl Luddington back into contention , taking two wickets in two deliveries , those of Gallagher who was superbly stumped by the ever agile Andy Colebrook for 37 and Stewart Bellwood who skied a catch to Andy Lawson from the very next ball. Young Fletch was not to get his hat trick but he had certainly brought his team back into the match , finishing the game with terrific figures of 3 for 19 , but that man Davies continued to guide the visitors home and fittingly it was he who hit the winning boudary in the final over as Luddington were left to rue their last few overs when the runs dried up somewhat.
Both clubs next opponents will be Askern Welfare - Sykehouse playing hosts to the league leaders on June 16th whilst Luddington will meet them at Askern a week later.
Luddington would like to thank Gordon and Karen - at the River Don - for the excellent supper they provide after each home game. It is fair to say that any club travelling to play Luddington will be assured of a tough match on the field but will also leave well fed and "watered"!!