LUDDINGTON v APP-FROD - BROUGHTON EVENING LEAGUE

BY GLEN SANDS

It was something of a family affair at Luddington as league leaders Appleby Frodingham eased to a 50 runs victory thanks in the main to brothers Alex and Scott Grimes who took the honours with bat and ball for the Steelmen.Frod won the toss and chose to bat first with Alex Grimes and Matthew Fowler both batting well from the off , pressurising the fielders with some excellent running between the wickets and punishing any loose deliveries. Fowler had reached eleven when he was caught by Jamie Arrowsmith off Matthew Teal which brought Simon Taylor to the crease. He hit a quickfire 22 including one towering six into the adjacent school yard before he was bowled by Jonathan Wroot then the impressive Grimes was bowled by Scott Buttrick having made 39 as Ludd hit back to make it 78 for 3. Jack Dixon and another youngster Rhys Brown then added 63 in a terrific partnership with Dixon in particular improvising some clever ways of making runs with reverse sweeps and scoops. He had made an entertaining 45 when he was trapped LBW by Teal and it was left to Brown ( 22 not out ) and Jack Forrester ( 1 not out ) to finish things off as Frod closed on 145 for 4. Matthew Teal took 2 for 32 while special mention should go to debutant Ben Wicks who bowled well on his first outing for Ludd.
With his brother Alex having batted so well it was to be Scott Grimes turn to shine when Frod took to the field , picking up an incredible 7 for 23 from his four overs as the Ludd batsmen unerringly found the fielders when hitting the ball in the air. Joe Woolhouse and Oliver Coulman put on 35 for the first wicket before Coulman became Grimes' first wicket when being caught by Simon Taylor for 21 then Woolhouse was run out for 13 and from then on the wickets fell at regular intervals. Andy Lawson was bowled by Grimes then Jamie Arrowsmith was trapped LBW and his fifth wicket came Ben Wicks was comfortably caught by Matthew Fowler at mid wicket. Danny Taylor deposited his first deliver  straight into Simon Taylor's hands and Scott Buttrick was stumped by Alex Grimes to earn brother Scott tremendous figures of 7 for 23. George Forrester joined in when bowling Jonathan Wroot with the total on 70 but Mick Wills and Matt " Flairs " Grimbleby stood firm at the end , adding 25 for the final wicket , Wills making 14 not out and Grimbleby eight before the innings drew to a close with Ludd 50 runs shy of the Frod target.
So dad Vinny Grimes was able to proudly applaud his sons from the field along with everyone else in attendance and Frod took another step toward their seemingly inevitable race to the title. Next up is a trip to Barton Town whilest for Luddington they head over to Normanby Park looking to do the double over them , though they know it wont be easy as they have shown signs of improvement lately.