Leaders come a cropper
by Paul Barker, 21st July 2008

On another day when the toss was of paramount importance, league leaders, Farnsfield were easily overcome by six wickets by a rampant Edwinstowe side at Station Lane. In fairness to Edwinstowe they suffered exactly the same fate in reverse from the previous week when Cutthorpe took full advantage of the conditions after rain had soddened the pitch and given the side bowling first a decided advantage.

Farnsfield were immediately on the rack when Damion Crowley offered a return catch to Jacob Lowe, which was accepted, and wickets fell steadily and at regular intervals from this moment on. Only a late order stand by Andy Edwards and Brett Hutton added an air of respectability to the score as Ian Smith exploited the conditions to perfection taking 4 for 23 and ripping out the heart of the Farnsfield middle order.

Edwards made a determined 45 and Hutton was unbeaten on 46 as Farnsfield closed on 175 for 8 a disappointing total, but in the event of what had happened earlier, probably a lot more than they would have expected.

With the strong wind and the sun drying things out, Edwinstowe certainly had a decided advantage, which they put to full use making 179 for 4 and victory, and never really looked in much trouble doing it. Their cultured Australian star Wade Townsend batted splendidly to make 65 and Gareth Price with 40 added vital support.

Edwinstowe after last week’s blip are now firmly back in the picture whilst Farnsfield had their second consecutive reversal and July has become a bit of a nightmare month for them. They have no match next Saturday and will have that time to overcome their problems and return fresh for the challenge that August and the last lap will offer.

A team who have under-achieved this season must surely be Kiveton Park, but they put it all together this weekend with a terrific four wicket win over Bridon. Batting first, Bridon’s batting failed for once and had it not been for their young New Zealander, Tim Muir who made a superb unbeaten 85 out of a total of 161 for 8, they would have been in even more trouble. Ashley Rhodes (3 for 35) was the tormentor in chief as Kiveton put in a good performance in the field.

Although losing six wickets, Kiveton arrived at 162 for 6 with James Bullivant (43 n.o.) as the lynchpin of their success. ‘Percy’ Hurst once again showed he is still a very impressive bowler taking 3 for 31 in a vain attempt to turn things back in Bridon’s favour.

Retford are climbing the table at a rare rate of knots and they completely obliterated Notts. & Arnold Amateur by eight wickets at Cricket Field Lane. Batting first, Notts & Arnold made 160 for 7 with Ian Flood (31) and Gary Chapple (42 n.o.) leading the way.

This target proved not the slightest problem to Retford who had that fine stalwart Nigel Hall back in their ranks and he quickly showed that he is still a force to be reckoned with making a fine 38. Pascal Broadley (28 n.o.) and the brilliant Chandra Kumara (59 n.o.) finished the job off with ease as Retford recorded a fourth consecutive win.

Thoresby Colliery who have been having a bad time of late came back well to record a narrow nine run win over in-form Glapwell at Park Avenue. Batting first, Thoresby made an impressive 231 for 8 with Martin Cheshire (62) and the combative Steve Willis (47) both batting well. Jeff Wharton kept his tally of wickets on the increase taking 4 for 49 and Matt Hall added 2 for 22, but Glapwell were hindered by a spate of dropped catches which was to cost them dearly.

Glapwell did however make a good fist of things with Matt Hall once again leading from the front with a brilliant 73. Great support came from Rob Davison (61) and Dean Graney, but Asad Hussain (5 for 42) and Shailesh Patel (4 for 56) proved just too much for them as they were dismissed for 222.

Marshalls continued their good form with a winning draw over Cutthorpe who were hanging on for dear life at the end. Once again Marshalls skipper Paul Van den Heuvel was in sparkling form making 66 and great support came from Kevin Housham (61) and James Deacon (32 n.o.) as they totalled 215 for 5 when the overs ran out. Sajhad Hussain with 3 for 59 was the pick of the Cutthorpe attack who were made to work hard for every success.

Despite good knocks from Rob Plested ((36), Nigel Kingham (38) and Usman Abid (48), Cutthorpe could never master the varied Marshalls attack and were hanging on at 143 for 9 when the overs ran out. Chris Hearn (3 for 19) and slow left armer Gary Andrews who once again showcased his vast talent with 3 for 49 were simply too good and the only setback was that they couldn’t prise out the last pair.

In Division 1, Eckington again showed what they are capable of by completely destroying Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd by a mammoth 197 runs. Skipper Andy Thompson blazed them away in his usual style with a superb 71 and South African J. P. Devilliers kept things moving with 62. As the Hosiery Mills attack tired, Julian Carlisle added to their woe with a sparkling 46 as Eckington were finally dismissed for 275. Only Daniel Kilvington with 4 for 25 kept Hosiery Mills in the game, but this huge score must have been a frightening one for any side to face.

And so it turned out, as Hosiery Mills were all back inside for just 78, with Wayne Dye (3 for 11), J. P. Devilliers (2 for 16), Tom Dawson (2 for 20) and Steve Nicholas (2 for 11) all sharing the wickets between them. The match of the season in this section is scheduled for next week when Eckington face Anston and if the leaders win this one, you can’t see them being beaten in this campaign.

For the second consecutive week, Anston fell victims to the weather in a match that they would almost certainly have won. Batting first against Welbeck 2^nd, Anston piled up 228 for 9 with Michael Norbury (40) and Neil Carter (52) top scoring.

From the onset, Welbeck were in serious trouble as Anston got amongst their batting with great relish and they were on the verge of a definite defeat when the heavens opened to rescue them. Graham Tweed (3 for 11) was the pick of the Anston attack, but they must be annoyed that the weather had beaten them for the second consecutive week as Welbeck were on 81 for 8 when the stoppage occurred.

Caythorpe 2^nd once again cashed in on this front, destroying Mansfield & Pleasley who have been in good form of late. It all ended here however as they were bowled out for just 102 with Tom Hemmings (3 for 21) being the pick of an excellent attack which all bowled well.

This proved not the slightest problem to Caythorpe’s batting in which  Richard Coleman (32) and James Oldham (39) were well in command for most of the way. This win sees Caythorpe cement their second position and they are certainly in excellent form at the moment.

Papplewick and Linby 2^nd beat West Indian Cavaliers 2^nd in a game which had more twists and turns than a Snakes and Ladders board. Cavaliers lost a glut of early wickets but a good stand between Azhar Zamman (60) and Meneto Davies (26) gave them something to bowl at when the innings closed at 144 for 8. Steve Alford (3 for 23) was the thorn in their side for Papplewick.

In reply despite losing an early wicket, Tim Clarke (30) and Rohan Shah (21) consolidated things but then a middle order collapse saw the Cavaliers regain command. When Richard Arberry (28) was dismissed it looked as though the Cavaliers were on line for a victory but a fine knock by Ed Somekh (35 n.o.) ably assisted by John Thrower saw Papplewick home in a thrilling finish on 147 for 8 and victory by two wickets.

Shadid Khan (3 for 25) and Zubin Faisal (3 for 20) were the pick of the Cavaliers attack in a very good game of cricket.

If Anston were unlucky, Worksop must have felt that someone up there was doing it on purpose to them as they had almost buried Ransome and Marles when the rain fell. Batting first, Worksop put together their best batting display of the season with Thomas Dangarembizi (46), Glenn Pym (65) and skipper Luke Ambrose (39 n.o.) all helping them to an impressive 214 for 3.

In reply Ransomes stood 61 for 9 when play was washed out. John Smith (3 for 30) and Thomas Dangarembizi (5 for 16) totally destroyed their batting and Worksop could feel rather aggrieved at how the fates had treated them.

Whitwell helped themselves to a winning draw against Blidworth who seem to be in freefall at the moment. Batting first Whitwell made 171 for 7 with Tom Chester (35) and Matt Goodwright (51 n.o.) both batting exceedingly well.

In reply, Blidworth struggled badly making 137 for 9 with Hamanyo Kabir (36) and Matt Slade (31) staving defeat off narrowly. Andy Shaw (3 for 22) and Ian Dennis (3 for 22) were the wicket takers and Whitwell have now had two good results on the bounce and may at last be turning the corner.