Nottinghamshire Premier League - Twenty20 Cup report

Clifton booked their spot after beating Kimberley in the first round when they smashed their way to their target of 101 from just 13.1 overs with James Taylor (32) and Tom Lungley (33) doing most of the damage. Paul Riley had earlier scored 53 in Kimberley’s score of 100 for 9, with Dominic Harvey taking 3-12.

They met Welbeck in the second round who had earlier beaten hosts Mansfield Hosiery Mills by 19 runs with Guy Darwin starring with bat and ball with an innings of 31 being followed by the remarkable bowling figures of 4-5.

The second round match was also won at a canter by Clifton who strolled to their target of 118 in 13.2 overs with Richard Harris (65) and Paul MacMillan (3-23) starring after Robert French struck 49 in Welbeck’s innings of 117 all out.

Wollaton won through after good victories against Caythorpe in round 1 and West Indian Cavaliers in the second. Set 107 to win against Caythorpe, Wollaton strolled to victory inside 14 overs with Alex King (43) and Tim Young (31) leading the way after James Hawley starred for Caythorpe with 51.

Cavaliers went through to the second round after inflicting a 20 run win on hosts Papplewick dismissing then for 115 in exactly 20 overs. The second round between the Cavaliers and the 2011 T20 champions was a low-scoring affair with Wollaton overcoming their target of 79 for the loss of just three wickets.

Cuckney progressed by first pushing Plumtree aside in round 1; Will Root scored a remarkable 84 not out from 42 balls with 9 sixes and 2 fours with solid support from Nick Langford as they hit the day’s highest total of 198 for 4. Plumtree just could not match the firepower and were dismissed for 110 inside 19 overs despite a breezy 47 from Caleb Mierkalns.

Cuckney took on the Nottinghamshire Academy in the second round after they overcame Worksop in round 1; the county juniors took only 11 overs to overcome their target of 77 set by Worksop.

The clash between the Academy and Cuckney was equally disappointing as a contest with the Notts side being dismissed for 69 with Luke Wood taking 3-9 and only Simon Webster’s 25 standing out. Cuckney didn’t have it all their own way in reply losing 4 wickets to overcome their target with more than 4 over to spare; Root again finished unbeaten, this time on 27.

The League T20 Finals Day will now take place on Monday 9^th July at Trent Bridge with Cuckney, Clifton and Wollaton being joined by the winner of the South Notts League’s competition. Entry to the ground will be free.

Ian Smith