LUDD WIN ISLE DERBY

Luddington won the Isle of Axholme derby yesterday by seven wickets in what proved to be a routine victory against their plucky opponents from Epworth, Isleonians, in the North Lindsey League.
The visitors batted first but soon found themselves one down when Wayne Mell was bowled by Graham Clark without scoring then skipper Mark Metcalf went by the same method for three leaving them on 9 for 2. Rick Green was batting with great resposibility and along with Ashley Carroll the score was moved up to 17 before the latter was caught for two by Oliver Saxon to give Clark his third wicket then Simon Rusling and the impressive Green took the total to 52 before Green was splendidly caught high above his head by Darren Clark off the bowling of Arron Curry for a well constructed 28 including one searing six. Mark Strawbridge became Clark's fourth victim and Curry picked up his second when bowling Rusling for 12 as the North Axholme side took a grip of the match then Danny Taylor took centre stage with a tremendous three over spell that saw him take four for four to wrap things up. He began by having the excellent Tom Shakespeare well caught by Martin Fletcher for 14 then followed that by bowling Darren Mychyluk in the same over. He took a quite stunning caught and bowled to send Dean Elviss back to the changing rooms then finished matters when bowling Bradley Rusling to leave the Isleonions all out for 84 with still ten overs remaining.
If they were to have any hope of winning the game, Isleonians needed to make early in roads when Luddington batted but the first two oversa saw the Clark brothers plunder 28 runs and from there in the game was up , although tot their credit the visitors dug in and refused to lie down. Darren Clark had reached 26 when he was bowled by an excellent delivery from Rick Green then home skipper Gareth Parkin lobbed a simple catch to Green off Ashley Carroll , leaving Ludd on 50 for 2. Graham Clark made 23 before he was caught by Mark Strawbridge , again off Carroll but Andy Lawson finished the game in his own inimitable style , making 27 not out with one gigantic six that landed half way into the paddock behind the nearby Village Hall. Steve Proctor actually hit the winning boundary to earn Luddington the three points , taking them into joint second behind Everton 3rds in the table.
Next up for Luddington is a trip to Bottesford, whilst Isleonians will travel to Upton cum Kexby looking to get back to winning ways.