Saikat's super bowling sets up Scunthorpe Town victory in Broughton Evening Cricket League

The Scunthorpe Scorpions produced a polished Broughton Evening Cricket League performance to comfortably beat Isle side Luddington, who were not at their best.

Right from the start, Ludd were on the back foot as Scorpions' opening bowlers Ramesh Chand and Saikat Sarkar gave them nothing to hit and it was the impressive Sarkar who made an instant mark on proceedings when he bowled Russell Fletcher for four and then instantly repeated the trick to send home skipper Andy Lawson back to the pavilion.

Chand had Scott Buttrick caught by wicketkeeper David Brown for just a single and when Jamie Belton became Sarkar's third victim Ludd were floundering on 8 for 4 from six overs.

Damage limitation was the order of the day for the Isle side and for a while Peter Tait and Anthony Fitzgerald did just that, taking the total to 31 before Tait was caught by Matt Pashley off  Scorpions debutant Bilal for nine.

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Then Liam McAnaney joined Fitz at the crease to attempt to set a decent total.

To their credit they did push the run rate on with Fitzgerald, in particular, showing an attacking intent - but he was to fall for 23, bowled by another debutant, Saj.

That saw Arron Curry stride to the middle with purpose. He and McAnaney took the total to 68 in the remaining overs, Curry smashing one spectacular six into the adjacent field to finish 15 not out with partner McAnaney on 13 not out.

But it was going to take a super-human effort for Luddington to prevent the Scorpions chasing down such a mediocre total.

Saikat Sarkar was the pick of the visitors bowlers with a terrific spell of 3 overs one maiden three for three which broke the back of the home side's batting order.

The ever-dependable Ramesh Chand opened the innings for the Scorpions with David Brown and from the start they sensibly kept the board ticking over until Brown was pinned LBW by Graeme Fletcher for six.

Scott Matthews joined Chand in the middle and without any fireworks they nudged the ball around and found the spaces in the field, taking the score to 53 with ease.

Matthews had reached 21 when he was stumped off Peter Tait's pads from the bowling of Jason Whiteley.

That brought youngster Luke Smith to the crease and along with Chand  who did not really break sweat in his not out 25, took their team to victory by eight wickets, Smith finishing the game on 13 not out.

So it was a bad day at the office for Luddington who were second best in all departments to an impressive Scunthorpe Scorpions who, if they continue to play like this, will certainly be up there challenging for the title come the end of July.

League leaders Broughton maintained their flying start when they beat Hibaldstow by 47 runs at Hibaldstow.

Shaun Clark hit 55 and Robbie Glentworth 47 as Broughton made 158 when batting first. And despite a half century by Dale Coy, Hibaldstow could only reach 111 in reply.

Appleby-Frodingham restricted Normanby Park to 91 for 5, Paul Mitchell top scoring on 28 and Colin Harvey adding 22, while Jack Harrison picked up 3 for 18 for the Steelmen who cruised to 92 without loss, thanks to 52 from Matty Fowler and 36 from Simon Wild.

The league reaches its halfway point this week.

FIXTURES - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 (6.15pm start)

Broughton v Luddington (umpires David Knapton and Lee Stothard)

Normanby Park v Hibaldstow (Paul Goodhand and Willie McVey)

Scunthorpe Scorpions v Appleby-Frodingham - at Brumby Hall (Ralph Gray and Patrick Taylor)

The mid-season meeting of the North Lindsey Cricket League will be held on Wednesday, July 4 at Brumby Hall Cricket Pavilion, Scunthorpe, by kind permission of Appleby-Frodingham CC. It starts at 7.30pm and all member clubs should be represented.

All officials of the league will be delivering reports on the current situation.

Interested clubs wanting to find out more about this three division Sunday competition should email secretary Paul Saunders - saunders964@btinternet.com