HIBALDSTOW JUST MISS OUT ON CRICKET LEAGUE TITLE

Messingham clinched the Mick Walker North Lindsey Cricket League Division Two title when beating Broughton by five wickets yesterday (Sunday) as rivals Hibaldstow suffered a 54-run defeat at Normanby Park.

Had Hibaldstow been successful they would have shared the trophy. 

Neil Simpson, batting in the lower order for Broughton, top scored with 35 not out with Sean Clixby having made 32 earlier as they set a target of 153 all out - James Taylor , Joshua Joy and Owen Taylor all picking up a brace of wickets.  

James Taylor then struck an impressive unbeaten 60, along with 44 from Matthew Henton, to see Messingham home to an excellent victory. 

In the other game Normanby Park set challengers Hibaldstow a tough target of 183 for 7 with Luke Cowling scoring 51 before retiring and further contributions from Aiden Wroe ( 41 ) and youngster Mason McDaid ( 31 ).

Wroe then picked up three wickets along with Declan Dunning as Hibaldstow were bowled out for 139 , Josh Cowling making 43, Chris Nash 32 and Tom Taylor 25 not out. 

The NLL would like to thank Jo Walker for her sponsorship in memory of her former highly rated and appreciated umpiring husband Mick who served the Scunthorpe Umpires' Association with such distinction. Mick would have loved to have seen the young talent on show, especially in Division Two over the season. 

Congratulations go to Scunthorpe Town who won Division One so dominantly and to Messingham who timed their good run to perfection to win Division Two in what has been a very competitive league.

There should also be a shout out to Luddington Dons who lifted the Mick Walker Memorial Cup just to remind everyone that the more senior guys can still play their part as they beat Scunthorpe Town at Messingham in July. 

Finally a word of thanks should go to  committee members Dave Willey , Simon Pullan , Glen Sands and Paul Saunders with special thanks to the latter who has decided to stand down from his post of League Secretary after many years of service. 

Although he has remained mostly in the background except at meetings, Paul has played an integral part on the committee and his efficient quiet way of keeping things ticking over will be sorely missed by all his colleagues 

If anyone would like to propose a replacement to take on the role of Secretary, please make contact before the AGM which will be announced in due course. 

"That's it for another year. Let's hope by the time next season comes around things will be back to a bit more normal , whatever that might be in the future," Glen Sands says.