Cutthorpe back on top
by Paul Barker, 10th August 2002

After a day which was decimated by the weather with only a handful of teams competing, Cutthorpe struggled back to the top of Division 1 after a hard fought 13 run win over Arnold.

After recent setbacks this was welcome relief for Cutthorpe but under no circumstances could they say that they had got it back together again.

Batting first Cutthorpe were restricted to a miserable 109 for 9 when the overs ran out with Nigel Kingham top scoring with 24. After the recent downpours things were never going to be easy and Arnold's attack bowled splendidly to limit the high flyers to this meager total. Rick Peacock (4 for 35) and Ian Flood (4 for 41) did the damage and at half way, Arnold must have felt rather comfortable.

As so often happens things didn't turn out quite the way they were planned to as Cutthorpe's superb attack of Asadullah Butt (6 for 56) and Andy Pierrepont (4 for 34) bowled Arnold out for just 96. Only the brilliant Nolan McKenzie (31) and a brave effort from Phil Allcock (20 n.o.) held up the Cutthorpe charge as not for the first time this season their bowling once again bailed out their batting when needed.

A thrilling finish is now in prospect and Cutthorpe's home game against Kiveton Park on Saturday 7th September looks like being the decider to the destination of the championship trophy.

Cuckney put together one of their best performances of the season when they went to Farnsfield and achieved a comfortable 57 run win over the home side. Batting first Cuckney amassed 183 for 7 with good knocks coming from Michael Palmer (44) and Gavin Johnson (30). Richard Logan with 3 for 87 was the pick of the Farnsfield attack.

This proved to be plenty good enough with Farnsfield being dismissed for just 126. Skipper Phil Creswell (46) tried hard to inspire his troops with little success and Cuckney with Gareth Price (3 for 26) and Paul Gurnell (3 for 2) simply ran through some rather flimsy resistance.

The match at Oldcotes Road really lived up to its top billing as Division 2's runaway leaders North Wheatley and second placed Blyth fought out a fascinating duel which resulted in a 10 run win for the former after a titanic struggle.

Batting first North Wheatley were limited to just 121 for 9 as the Blyth attack and Paul Airey (6 for 44) in particular made full use of an helpful wicket due to the recent rain. Only Richard Robinson (34) and New Zealander Michael Davidson (30) made any impact but Blyth must have known at half way that despite only needing a modest total things would be far from easy.

This proved to be the case but for a while with skipper Martin Court going well with 27 and Richard Wild (25) victory looked very possible as Blyth reached 84 for 4. However the North Wheatley attack then took command and Robin Hackney (4 for 12) and Daniel Styring (3 for 41) bowled them out for 111. On the evidence shown here both teams look likely to go up with North Wheatley who are now 63 points clear with a game in hand looking virtually unbackable.

Everton who have shown much improved form of late climbed even further away from the relegation mire with a winning draw against a spirited but outgunned Milton side. Batting first Everton racked up 199 for 4 with John Waghorne (89) batting brilliantly in testing conditions. John Shaw (36 n.o.) gave good support whilst Jim Henstock bowled quite superbly to take 3 for 47.

Milton then made a bold effort but the nagging accuracy of the Everton attack proved much too much for them as they closed on 142 for 6. Neil Soper (38) batted well but some good bowling particularly from Neil Waghorne (3 for 42) proved vital as Everton moved 33 points clear of the relegation threat.