Millers find pot of gold as they thrash Dunstall
by Gwyn Jones / Alan Rowley, 16th September 2001

Langley Mill found their own pot of gold at the end of a Chesterfield rainbow as they comfortably beat Dunstall to land the inaugural Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Premier Cup.

Langley Mill won the toss and decided to field. The decision seemed justified as Dunstall's early batsmen struggled against the bowling of Ron Patel and his son Sam Patel. They took two wickets apiece as Dunstall slumped to 34-4.

Danny Spasic, playing his last game for Dunstall before returning to Australia, came in at number three and was secure from the start. Fourth man out was West Indian star Phil Simmons, who was brilliantly caught on the edge of the square leg boundary by Paul Bailey. Matt Benstead stayed a short while before being caught by Azhar Zamman off Andrew Ball for 15.

Next man in was the former Notts and England star, Derek Randall, but he was bowled first ball by Andrew McCulloch. Randall is pictured (right) after the game in a thoughful mood after his side had finished runners-up in both the league and now the cup. A year of what might have been for Dunstall.

Rob Cooper stayed with Spasic while 37 runs were added, but when Cooper was out for 19 things looked bleak at 118-7.

A stand of 64 between Alan Gough and Spasic helped the score along to a healthy total which reached 197-7, with Spasic completing a brilliant 73 not out. Sam Patel, Ron Patel and Andrew Ball took two wickets each, with Rayim Karim and Andrew McCulloch each taking one.

Rayim Karim opened for the Millers with skipper Andy Thompson and produced a rapid 36 before being caught by Phil Simmons off Steve Scrimshaw, the first wicket falling at 45. Thompson and young Sam Patel kept up the run rate until Thompson holed out to Carl Eyden off Martin Clewley.

The victors, Langley Mill, are in full voice as they proudly display the silverware.

Richard Marsh joined Patel and these two increased the run rate as they moved comfortably to their target. Four overs were lost when rain held up play and the target score was reduced to 182, but by that time Langley Mill needed only 4 runs and they were home with plenty of overs to spare. Sam Patel was 80 not out, which included twelve fours and a six. For Dunstall Steve Scrimshaw took 1-46 and Martin Clewley 1-21.

Nottinghamshire League representative Jim Fenwick, adjudicating the man of the match award, selected the Patels to be joint winners of the award. The Patels are pictured here with the man of the match winners bat, left to right Samit, Akhil and Ronnie. Well done guys.

For Langley Mill the season has ended promisingly. Early on they looked certainties for relegation as they languished at the bottom of the League 48 points adrift, but they fought back and escaped relegation.

The Cup victory represents the icing on the cake - they were worthy winners on the day. Could this be the start of the Millers resurgence as a major force in Derbyshire League cricket? 2002 holds a lot of promise for this young side - follow the season here on Sting In The Tail.

Pictured above left is Samit Patel being congratulated at the end of his match winning innings. Langley Mill skipper Andy Thompson is pictured right admiring the trophy watched by Richard Marsh who had just shared in a partnership of 100 with Patel to see the Millers through to a memorable victory.

Click here for the match scorecard