SO SIMPLE FOR SIMON TO GET BACK IN RUNS

By Glen Sands

There was a familiar face in the Bottesford ranks that turned up to play Luddington on Sunday in the guise of ex Scunthorpe Town secretary and wicket keeper Simon Milner who had taken an enforced sabatical from the game due to a family illness and he certainly grabbed the headlines on his return , even though it proved to be in a losing cause !
In this North Lindsey League encounter, Bottesford batted first on a wicket that had just been freshened up with a sharpe shower just before the start and quickly found themselves deep in the mire at 20 for 5 as Graham Clark and atty Mellers ripped through the top order. Dave Willey was first to go , caught at slip by Darren Clark off brother Graham without scoring then fellow opener Maj Khan was superbly caught by a diving Danny Taylor to give Mellers his first victim. Waj Khan was next to go , bowled by Clark for 10 who then repeated the feat by bowling Shah for eight which meant Milner could make his long awaited return to the game.
He strode to the middle adjusting his hat and gloves , asked the umpire for his guard ,then quickly had to make his way off again in order to put on his pads which he had neglected to don in his excitement to get to the crease !!
Once fully suited and booted he actually went well , making 40 runs as Bottesford rallied to 86 all out. Mellers went on to pick up 4 for 27 whilst Jamie Arrowsmith came on to pick up 2 for 18 and Barry O'Brien 1 for 17 but the best figures were certainly those of Graham Clark who bowled seven overs six maidens and took 3 for 5.
Luddington's reply got off to a bad start when Danny Taylor was caught by that man Milner of the bowling of Alan Watkins which brought the Clark brothers together who took the total to 40 before Graham was bowled by the wiley old fox John Danson who kept things tight throughout the innings. Stand in skipper Andy Lawson chopped a delivery onto his stumps having made just one run to give Danson his second wicket and when Oliver Saxon was trapped LBW by Waj Khan the total stood at 52 for 4 and Ludd were wobbling. However another old head , Steve Proctor joined Darren Clark at the crease and between them they guided Luddington to victory , Proctor making a well constructed 16 whilst " Dazzler " ended the game 46 not out.
So the season draws to a close for Ludd who have just two games remaining now , away against Normanby Park and home to Upton cum Kexby whilst Bottesford too have just two to go , against Broughton 4ths and Everton 3rds. For Ludd it's been a case of what might have been with some good performances and a couple of shockers and for Bottesford well they have done well to keep things going following several set backs , particularly at their Birch Park ground but they have come through smiling and will no doubt look forward to next season with optimism. As for Mr Milner , well he'll simply be happy to be back playng again , although he will certainly need to do a quick check of his equipment when next he goes out to bat !!