Chapman wrecks Edwinstowe
by Paul Barker, 13th July 2008

The scene - Edwinstowe Cricket Ground; the time - 1.15 p.m.; the event – the toss up to see who does what; the participants – Paul Peacock (Edwinstowe C.C.) and Nigel Kingham (Cutthorpe C.C.); the coin comes down in the latter’s favour and this proved to be the most vital factor as Cutthorpe sailed to victory over their high flying compatriots by six wickets with a mammoth 30 overs still in the bank.

With the rain we suffered on Friday, nobody could have expected the perfect wicket, but with the rain having seeped under the covers, it was always going to be interesting what effect it would have. We were not kept in waiting very long as the fourth ball of the first over from Tariq Mahmood ripped off the perfect length and sailed past Jeff Appleton’s nose!

This set the tone and Steve Chapman used the conditions to perfection as he sliced through some apprehensive resistance from Edwinstowe. Wickets fell regularly and at 40 for 5, Edwinstowe were in serious trouble and Chapman in particular was in his element. Only a brief cameo from James Peacock (25) saved Edwinstowe from complete disaster, but one always had the feeling that this couldn’t last, and needless to say it didn’t.

Chapman bowled quite brilliantly and got the rewards he deserved as he put everything into his bowling. He took 5 for 24 from thirteen overs and deserved the plaudits he received from his team mates for a well-controlled and hostile spell. He was replaced by Usman Abid who was a complete change with his slow stuff and the ball bit straight away as he extracted turn from pitch immediately.

Abid mopped up the tail taking 3 for 19 as Edwinstowe were all out for 114 which was a lot better than it looked like being at one time and handed ten overs to Cutthorpe in the process.

By this time the wind and sun was beginning to dry the pitch and Cutthorpe got away to the perfect start with that man Steve Chapman and Rob Plested blasting them away to a hurricane start. This was just the tonic and start that was needed and any hopes that Edwinstowe might have had quickly disappeared.

Chapman in particular was severe on anything too full or short and made 36 valuable runs. Although four wickets fell in all, Matt Cluer steadied the ship with a cultured 41 n.o. as his side reached 115 and victory. Spare a thought for Shaun Bullin (2 for 27) who bowled beautifully and beat the bat on numerous occasions. If Edwinstowe had been bowling first he may well have wreaked complete havoc, but it was not to be on a day when the right side of the coin was of paramount importance.

The most exciting match of the day came at Station Lane where Retford claimed a sensational win over league leaders Farnsfield with one ball remaining in a terrific thriller. Batting first, one got the impression that Farnsfield’s total of 241 for 5 might just have been a shade inadequate on this ground where anyone who can bat, can’t fail to score runs.

Farnsfield’s young South African wicket-keeper Damion Crowley again showed his great potential, scoring a superb 89 and the only criticism of this young man must be his failure to turn big scores into three figures when he has done all the hard work. Great support came from Sam Wood (40) and Paul Franks (47 n.o.) as the Retford attack took a bit of a mauling.

In reply, Retford took the battle to Farnsfield and Pascal Broadley (56) plus a magnificent 113 from Darren Spooner put them in with a terrific chance of pulling off a shock win. Spooner in particular was superb and it was also fitting that it should be skipper John Musgrove who exploded a towering six to claim the win with one ball remaining and just two wickets standing.

Brett Hutton underlined his massive potential by taking 4 for 53 in an excellent spell of bowling for Farnsfield who must have rued the fact that they dropped several important catches. However Retford are now on the march after an indifferent start and have now won their last three matches.

The performance of the day depending on what side you are connected to, came from Glapwell who completed obliterated Waleswood with more ease than is healthy at this level. Glapwell skipper Matt Hall was another who was delighted to win the toss and he had no hesitation in inserting Waleswood who were all back inside for a miserable 35 runs.

Australian Jeff Wharton who took an incredible 7 wickets for just 8 runs and included a hat-trick in the proceedings caused the damage in the main. The statistics are even more staggering when you look further into them as Wharton had taken 6 for 4 before the last man who top scored with seven hit him for four before becoming the seventh victim!

Even more staggering was that at the other end Matt Hall took 2 for 27 with 16 of these being declared wides! In all there were 18 wides out of the 35 scored, meaning only 17 came from the bat. Needless to say Glapwell eased to victory on 36 for 3 with Danny Bircumshaw making the highest score of the day. After a fantastic opening day victory over Retford, Waleswood have simply dropped to pieces, and this will not have done their confidence any good whatsoever. However the wicket was certainly not the best that has ever been seen, but this was simply dreadful and Glapwell were on their way back home at just past 4.00 p.m.

Marshalls who are enjoying quite a good season bestowed a heavy 106 run defeat on Thoresby Colliery who seem to be going through a bad period of late. Batting first, Marshalls piled up 255 for 7 with Australian Andrew Coles batting brilliantly to make 114 whilst Greg Andrews lent fine support with 54. Azar Hussain (3 for 73) was the pick of an overworked Thoresby attack.

In reply, Thoresby lost wickets early and never really threatened the Marshalls target as they were dismissed for just 149. Australian Tom Rickarby was once again in fine form making 55 whilst slow left-armer Gary Andrews weaved his web of magic to take 5 for 32 in a very impressive stint. Thoresby will emerge from this blip, they are too good a side not to do so, whilst Marshalls continue to impress and are a threat to everyone.

Notts. & Arnold Amateur completed a much needed win over Kiveton Park by seven wickets at Goosedale and always looked in control of the game. Batting first, Kiveton were limited to an unsatisfactory 175 for 9 with only Daniel Richardson (40) making much progress against Richard Pallister who helped himself to an excellent 4 for 60.

The target set was nowhere near adequate and Dilhan Cooray with a superb unbeaten 71 and David Sells (63) guided Notts. & Arnold to 178 for 3 and a comfortable victory which was as easy as it looked.

The big news in Division 1 concerns a very disappointed Anston side that lost their second place in the division to Caythorpe 2^nd through no fault of their own. Their match at Ransome & Marles was put off early on Saturday morning owing to the weather and Caythorpe took full advantage by recording another maximum points haul.

However it would be too harsh by a long way to say Caythorpe were lucky, because on June 21^st a similar occurrence took place where they were the losers with the weather, so despite what some might say it really is a swings and roundabouts scenario and nobody can really cry about it.

Caythorpe took the bold step of batting first after winning the toss at Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2nds and it looked as though they may have made a blunder when they were limited to just 155 for 9 from the shortened 43 overs. Only Richard Coleman (43) batted with any degree of confidence as Kyle Garside bowled superbly to take 4 for 31.

However the Caythorpe side is full of confidence at the moment and Hosiery Mills were dismissed for 132 with Geoff Crook (3 for 29) and Tim Haines (3 for 30) both bowling brilliantly. Daniel Kilvington (27) top scored for the Hosiery Mills and the result would have been more emphatic in Caythorpe’s favour had it not been for him.

Eckington continue to lead from the front although they were held to a draw by Welbeck 2^nd who in fairness never looked like pulling off any kind of shock. Eckington were held to 195 for 8 with Andy Thompson (65) and Lewis Staniforth (30) top scoring. Darren Walker (3 for 38) and Greg Herbert (3 for 24) were the most economical of the Welbeck attack who performed probably better than anyone else has this season against the league leaders.

In reply it was never much of a contest as Welbeck were pinned back to 94 for 7 at stumps. Charlie French (21) and David Hall (20) top scored but nobody else could cope with Luke Dawson who bowled splendidly to take a very impressive 5 for 20.

Whitwell who I have been saying for weeks are a better side than their position in the table suggests pulled off a staggering ten run win over West Indian Cavaliers 2^nd to ease their relegation fears. Not that their batting was any better than usual as they totalled a disappointing 117 all out, but what was in their favour was that the Cavaliers were even worse.

Whitwell have a hell of a lot to thank Andrew Shaw for in this match. Arriving at the crease at number ten in the batting order with the score on only 71 for 8, Shaw smote six fours in an innings of 36 which was easily the top score and helped take Whitwell to an all out total of 117.

With openers Umar Zamman (55) and Nadeem Mahmood (30) in prime form the Cavaliers took the score to 91 before the third wicket fell and nobody could have predicted what would happen next. Andrew Shaw then helped himself to 4 for 24 in a man of the match display and Australian Matt Goodwright took 3 for 27 as the last seven wickets fell for a mere 16 runs to give Whitwell a welcome but most unlikely victory.

Mansfield & Pleasley who were everybody’s chopping blocks earlier in the season have restored their faith and they were a little unfortunate to only claim a winning draw over Papplewick & Linby 2nds who were clinging on desperately at the end.

Mansfield & Pleasley made a useful looking 179 for 7 batting first with Ian Woodall (58 n.o.) and Brad Sengstock (34) top scoring. Jon Thrower who has been in good form recently for Papplewick continued this with an excellent 3 for 50.

In reply Papplewick slumped to just 127 for 9 with only Ed Somekh showing any sort of application. Matt Page 5 for 19 was the destroyer in chief for Mansfield & Pleasley and their excellent run of form gathers pace.

Blidworth managed a much needed seven wicket win against luckless Worksop at Burmah Road. Batting first, Worksop managed a reasonable 163 for 9 with Thomas Dangarembizi ((46), skipper Luke Ambrose (48 n.o.) and Simon Mills (35) all batting well. The problem was that if anything reasonably substantial had come from the rest they would have posted over 200 and that might well have given them a much better chance. Andy Watson (3 for 35) was the leader of the pack for Blidworth who stuck to their task well.

Any hopes Worksop had of victory where quickly dispelled as Andy Watson (43) and Hamanyo Kabir made full use of the short boundary and blitzed the Worksop attack. Kabir made a superb 91 and when he was out the victory was assured as Blidworth raced to 166 for 3 and nineteen points.