Hosiery Mills thwart Cutthorpe double hopes
by Paul Barker, 8th September 2002

Having already won the Division 1 title, Cutthorpe looked to be overwhelming favourites for the Tomlin Trophy, but as so often happens the underdogs Mansfield Hosiery Mills retained the trophy they had won last year against the same opponents.

Batting first Hosiery Mills started in a painfully slow vain which must have delighted the tidy Cutthorpe attack. It was not until the arrival at the crease of Jeff Appleton that things started to move along at the required rate to make a respectable total.

Appleton was just what the doctor ordered giving the innings much needed impetus and he cracked two huge sixes in a tremendous knock of 35 runs which turned the game dramatically. Good support came from Dave Loveridge who made a solid 30 and Clive Graham with a sound 25.

The Cutthorpe attack bowled its usual tidy line and Asadullah Butt bowled superbly well to take 4 for 40 and the excellent Andy Pierrepont bagged 2 for 44 in support as Hosiery Mills were bowled out for 174.

This target should have been fairly comfortable going for the potent Cutthorpe batting line-up but for once when they needed it things went badly wrong. They got away to a bad start losing Nigel Kingham fairly early and their other prolific run machine Andy Thompson got badly bogged down as the Hosiery Mills bowlers turned in excellent performances.

Chris Marples (29) lifted the rate but once he had gone the brakes went on once again and Asadullah Butt (22) although batting well seemed far from his fluent best. Youngster Mark Cluer made an excellent unbeaten 56 but by this time the rate had gone up to over eight runs per over and the Hosiery Mills bowlers had no intention of letting their advantage slip away as Cutthorpe closed on a disappointing 159 for 6.

All the Hosiery Mills bowlers did a brilliant job for their side and Andy Biggin (2 for 21) and Darren Johnson (2 for 36) were outstanding. Dave Loveridge and Jonathan Best grabbed a wicket each at minimal cost and Hosiery Mills took the Cup for the second consecutive season.

Jeff Appleton was awarded man of the match in what was a very difficult decision for the judges to make. Appleton finally won the nod for his tidy wicket-keeping and his innings of 35 which changed the entire course of the Hosiery Mills innings.

Thanks must go to the Worksop Cricket Club for their magnificent job in staging this prestigious event and to the umpires Mr. Alf Moffitt and Mr. Phil Moody who handled proceedings admirably.

Tomlin Trophy - Final Tie

At Central Avenue, Worksop MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 174 all out (Jeff Appleton 35, David Loveridge 30, Clive Graham 25, Asadullah Butt 4 for 40, Andrew Pierrepont 2 for 44) beat CUTTHORPE 159 for 6 (Mark Cluer 56 n.o., Chris Marples 29, Asadullah Butt 22, Andrew Biggin 2 for 21, Darren Johnson 2 for 36, David Loveridge 1 for 30, Jonathan Best 1 for 31) by 15 runs.

Man of the Match Jeff Appleton (Mansfield Hosiery Mills).