AMAZING SMILE LEAGUE - LUDDINGTON V OUTCASTS

BY GLEN SANDS

The Isle derby between Luddington and Outcasts produced a real nail biting finish that went to the very last over before the Priorymen squeezed home in what was akeenly contested affair between players who often play on the same side in the Lincolnshire Saturday League.

Luddington batted first and made a terrific start as openers Darren Clark and Joe Woolhouse batted splendidly against the opening salvos of Alex and Graeme Fletcher. Both appeared solid in defence and picked off any wayward deliveries and by the drinks break they were very handily placed at 90 without loss but after the break spin twins Scott Buttrick and Craig McAnaney came on to change the complexion of the match. Runs dried up and wickets began to fall as Luddington's good start crumbled before their eyes. Clark had made an impressive half century but then miscued the ball high into the sky to be caught and bowled by his cousin Craig for 52 then Woolhouse did just the same on 27 to give Buttrick his first wicket. 91 for 2 became 93 for 3 when Graham Clark was bowled by McAnaney then the big wicket of Andy Lawson fell when he was caught in the deep by Graeme Fletcher off Buttrick having scored just eight leaving Ludd inexplicably on 99 for 4. Skipper Gareth Parkin was then trappedLBW by the rampant McAnaney and they had lot half their batsmen having scored only nine runs ! Rick Green was trapped infront of his stumps by McAnaney having scored eight with the score on 112 then Scott Buttrick took a blinding catch to send Jamie Arrowsmith back to the hutch for five and in doing so earned McAnaney his fifth wicket of the innings. Steve Proctor skied a catch to Liam McAnaney to gift Buttrick another wicket but Ludd fought back with another good stand between Micky Wills and Arron Curry who had done so well against Haxey a week earlier. This time they added 20 vital runs before Wills was bowled by Buttrick which brought Matt Mellers to the middle , playing only by the good grace of team mate Danny Taylor who willingly stood down at the last moment when Mellers unexpectedly became available to play. Ironically Taylor's magnanimous gesture proved to be in vain as poor old Matty pulled a muscle when attempting a single which left him hobbling for the rest of the game and not able to bowl which was the main reason for Taylor's selfless act. Mellers was the last man out , caught by Matthew Teal off Buttrick for four , leaving Ludd on 146 all out with both Buttrick and Craig McAnaney taking 5 wicketa apiece.

Outcasts made a steady start to their reply with the in form Josh Bramhill and Matthew Teal taking good care against Graham Clark and Arron Curry who were to bowl non stop from either end throughout the innings. Teal was first to go , bowled by Clark for eleven with the score on 29. Craig McAnaney joined Bramhill at the crease and although the runs were not flowing they kept their heads and more importantly kept their wickets intact until the lightening fast Arron Curry produced a superb piece of fielding to run Bramhill out for 31. Bowling partner Scott Buttrick strode to the middle to partner McAnaney and they put together a terrific stand of 61 before Macca was stumped by Mick Wills off Curry for a well constructed 28. Spud Tait and Buttrick then took the total to 127 as Outcasts pressured the fielders with some electric running between the wickets but Ludd refused to lie down as Clark caught and bowled Tait for ten then followed that up by bowling Buttrick for 39. Suddenly the pressure seemed to swing onto the visitors when Wills stumped Russell Fletcher off Curry which meant three wickets had fallen on 127 , leaving them still twenty short of their target but Charlie Mason and Oliver Coulman , in his first game since returning from Australia held their nerve to scurry and pressure their way to 147 with just two deliveries remaining , Mason making ten and Coulman eight , four of which came from a boundary that at the time brought the scores level.

So the bragging rights went to Outcasts as the teams retired to the River Don for after match hospitality and more importantly for Outcasts they picked up three valuable points to lift them to within two of their North Axholme rivals in the table. Next up for the Priorymen is a tough Cup game against First Division SAcunthorpe Town whilst Luddington face a fortnight off before they head to Messingham in the Division Two KO Cup which should they win will earn them another match against Outcasts !