Weakened side battle hard

Published on 22nd May 2008 in Sport

Luddington 52, Alkborough 3rds 54-5

With clubs elsewhere in the Lindsey League forfeiting their games due to lack of players, Luddington are to be commended for facilitating their North Lindsey League Division Two KO cup first-round game against Alkborough, despite being without no less than six regulars.

By hook or by crook they gathered 11 players, including villager Andy Curry, who incredibly made his debut for the club at the age of 50 when a lot of players are looking to retire from the game! 

The makeshift team were put in to bat and Ian Wright was bowled by Render with the score on four. Rick Smith and Dean Proctor, who was playing his first game of cricket for three years, took the total to 21 with some stoic defence before the former went for eight, and when Proctor went followed by Gareth Parkin they were 36-4.

Arron Proctor was bowled by Ross and Kevin Emerson was superbly caught by Wood off Williamson, then namesake Rodger Williamson was bowled for two in what was his first competitive match for 10 years!

The tail failed to wag as the Isle side were bowled out for 52.

Alkborough appeared set to race to victory as Fred Balderson and Craig Ross took the score to 26 in no time but a run out from Curry and a wicket for O'Brien reduced the visitors to 29-2.

Mark Greenwood was bowled by Kevin Emerson, who quickly got back into a rhythm despite not bowling for a couple of years and when O'Brien took another wicket, that of Render who was caught by Dean Proctor, Alkborough were a little concerned.

However, John Balderson and Wood took them to within three runs of victory before he was bowled by Emerson for six leaving Wood and Steve Kemshall to see them home.

So Luddington are left to concentrate on the league as the old saying goes but the club are to be congratulated on fulfiling this fixture at all with so many players unavailable.

This weekend they entertain Scunthorpe 4ths with what will once again be a much changed team as no less than five of this side cannot play.

The absentees from Sunday should be back in contention so it is hoped that Luddington can once again ensure a game will take place on their Park Lane ground.