Cricket: Luddington keep up their winning form

The clash came only four weeks after the reverse fixture when the Isle side cantered to a 132-run victory.

On that day Darren Clark and Andy Lawson added 177 for the first wicket but the pair had only reached 26 before Clark was bowled for eight – his first single-figure score of the season.

Martin Fletcher was out without scoring two overs later – not that that hindered Lawson who reached his half-century with a giant six over square leg which took his team’s score to 61.

Geoff Smith joined Lawson at the crease and the pair of veterans arrived at the 20 over drinks break with the score on 93-2.

Lawson left his foot on the accelerator after the interval and even caused concern among the spectators when a couple of enormous hits landed in the car park. He was eventually out for 94, caught on the boundary by Tom Sowerby ten feet short of another century to go with his hundred at Messingham.

Smith, whose more measured batting contributed 16 runs to the partnership of 85, was joined by Wayne Mell and three overs later by Graham Clark. Clark attacked the bowling and had scored 27 by the time he was bowled by George Drewery with the score on 168.

With five overs to go and four teammates yet to come in Smith increased his scoring rate and had reached 39 when he was eventually caught by Sowerby off Elliott Markham.

Luddington’s last five batsmen contributed 16, of which Arron Curry scored 12 not out, in a total of 208-9 while the bowling honours were spread among Messingham’s attack – Drewery had the best figures of 3-38.

Messingham’s response didn’t begin with the dynamism of Luddington’s innings and the visitors lost early wickets. Matthew Mellers had Manny Sangha caught by wicket keeper Danny Taylor, Graham Clark trapped Josh de Boar and Daniel Bradley lbw before Neil Birkitt was run out in the 12th over to leave the score on 21 for four.

Michael Hill replaced Clark at the Hall End and took his first wicket for the club when Callum Sanderson was caught behind by Taylor.

Hill then bowled the obdurate Max Metheringham for ten. Rick Green picked up two quick wickets, one of which gave Taylor his third catch, and Darren Clark removed Messingham’s top scorer Sowerby (24) with his first ball.

Green bowled Kernan to finish with figures of 3-16 - Ludd’s best, although all the bowlers played their parts in restricting Messingham to 75 all out.

A winning margin of 133 was one run better than last month’s performance and morale will be even higher when Luddington visit Upton-cum-Kexby on Sunday in a cup match which will count towards league points as well.