LUDDINGTON v BARTON TOWN - BROUGHTON EVENING CRICKET LEAGUE

The top of the table clash between Luddington and Barton Town in the Broughton Evening Cricket League saw the Isle side maintain their unbeaten record to move three points clear in the table and with one game remaining they could clinch the title with one more victory, WRITES GLEN SANDS.
Luddington batted first on a breezy evening and quickly lost a wicket when Spud Tait was caught at slip by Oscar Mussett off South African spin bowler Wouter Ras , then Darren Clark and new signing Danny Hilton put together a terrific stand , the latter playing his first game in a year since moving to the area from North Wales. Clark was in outstanding form while Hilton took some time before getting into his stride but he cleverly nudged the singles to give his partner the strike and the scoreboard kept ticking over at a fair rate. Hilton eventually ran out of steam , being run out for 13 with the total on 70 then Clark brought up his half century which meant he had to retire and that signalled a change in momentum as Barton fought back. Josh Bramhill was out quickly , followed by Arron Curry as Was picked up two further wickets then visiting skipper Mike Hinchliffe bowled Paul Mitchell for eight and things were in the balance at 91 for 5. Rick Green was Oscar Mussett's third catch of the innings and Doug Fann became Hinchliffe's third wicket as the 14 overs drew to a close leaving Luddington on 109 for 7 , Liam McAnaney ending on 10 not out and Graeme Fletcher 3. Wouter Ras ( 3 for 20 ) and Hinchliffe ( 3 for 22 ) were the pick of the Barton bowlers.
It was Ras and Mussett who opened the visitors innings and they made a rapid start , adding 24 in the first three overs before the South African was well caught in a swirling wind by Danny Hilton off Paul Mitchell for 13. George Short joined the big hitting Mussett at the crease and runs continued to flow then the latter was caught by Arron Curry off Graeme Fletcher for 24 and that heralded a switch in momentum similar to that in the Luddington innings. Doug Fann picked up two cheap wickets , then keeper Spud Tait took a terrific catch to end George Short's time in the middle and earning Fletcher a second wicket. Deon Spikings was run out when attempting a second run to Hilton's armand at 51 for 6 things were beginning to head in Luddington's favour again. Fletcher struck agin when Barton's Shiv was caught by Darren Clark , another tough catch in the wind and when Ben Matthews was the eighth man out , well caught by Mitchell off Fann for five the Humbersiders were left on 59 for 8. Skipper Mike Hinchliffe was perhaps Barton's last hope but he was trapped LBW by Arron Curry having made just five and despite a late flurry of runs from Jack Griffin who hit 13 and George Phillips ( 12 not out ) the game was brought to a close when Griffin hoisted a catch to Mitchell to give Curry his second victim , leaving Barton 90 all out.  Graeme Fletcher and Doug Fann both finished with 3 for 13 and Arron Curry 2 for 17 as Ludd took over top spot in the table
So it is all down to the final game of the season on July 16th when Ludd head to Brumby Hall to take on title holders Appleby Frodingham in what has proven to be a successful evening league campaign for the Isle of Axholme side.