Thoresby just fail after Titanic struggle
by Paul Barker, 13th July 2002

What looked on paper as a routine work-out for league leaders Cutthorpe turned out to almost being the shock of the season, as they held on for a winning draw at Thoresby Colliery by the narrowest margin possible.

Batting first Cutthorpe got rather bogged down as they amassed 176 for 8 with only Asadullah Butt (72) and Nigel Kingham (34) propping up the innings against some good bowling mainly from David Evans who bowled quite superbly to take 6 for 53.

The target looked adequate but Cutthorpe had obviously forgotten about the formidable talent of Thoresby's Australian Scott Lindsay who batted magnificently throughout the innings to reach an unbeaten 104.

With two overs remaining, Thoresby needed 22 runs to win but some fine batting took them down to wanting four runs from the final ball to clinch an astonishing victory. Only two were scored and Cutthorpe took the major share of the points with just one run to spare. Asadullah Butt (4 for 84) and Andrew Pierrepont (4 for 88) took the wickets for the leaders but all credit to Thoresby for an inspiring display that almost produced the shock of the season.

Another thriller took place at Papplewick were the home side beat Farnsfield by just five runs after a spell binding struggle. Batting first Papplewick reached 228 for 7 with Neil Sparham recording his third century of the season reaching a brilliant 101 whilst Farnsfield skipper Phil Creswell bowled superbly to claim 5 for 92.

Farnsfield made a bold effort to reach the target none more so than James Bennett who made a magnificent 105, and with a little more support from his colleagues would have won the match for his side. Simon Roberts (4 for 64) and Lee Colledge (3 for 48) were the Papplewick bowling heroes in a match that was a credit to Bassetlaw League cricket.

Another great game took place at Kiveton were the second placed home side recorded a fabulous victory after bottom side Worksop had put up their performance of the season. Batting first Worksop reached 254 for 6 with Richard Gale making a superb 122 and how he will be missed when work commitments take him away again soon. Simon Brooks (39) and Anthony Edwardson (39) also added good runs and the final total looked good enough to trouble anybody.

Anybody that is barring Kiveton and they clinched a narrow two wicket win in brilliant style reaching 257 for 8 with excellent contributions from Richard Grainger (89), Steve Frost (42) and Richard Spurr (42 n.o.) to reduce Cutthorpe's lead at the top to eighteen points.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills captured another victory as Arnold's recent good form came to an end at Huthwaite Road. Batting first Hosiery Mills were soon in trouble with four wickets falling cheaply on an appalling wicket with little or no bounce. Thanks to an invaluable unbeaten 33 from New Zealander Bradley Scott Hosiery Mills made it to 166 for 8 when the overs ran out with West Indian Nolan McKenzie bowling superbly to take 5 for 26 and good support coming from Andy Rann with 3 for 56.

Arnold lost two early wickets but a tremendous knock by Nolan McKenzie took them to the point of victory. McKenzie who never deserved to end on the losing side scored a brilliant 66 before being fantastically caught and bowled by Mark Gosling and despite a solid 29 from Julian Thornhill Arnold collapsed to 143 all out with Dave Loveridge being the pick of the Hosiery Mills attack with 3 for 55.

Cuckney seem to have come off the rails in the last three weeks and Glapwell became the latest side to administer a defeat to them by a comfortable five wickets. Only Paul Gurnell with an unbeaten 50 showed any application as Cuckney were held to 174 for 8. Matthew Hall (3 for 66) and Stuart Hall (3 for 19) were the best of the Glapwell attack.

In reply Glapwell cruised to victory with Dean Graney (64) and Travis Binnion (31) scoring the bulk of the runs. Paul Gurnell was the best of the Cuckney attack taking 3 for 47, but his sturdy efforts with both bat and ball were all in vain.

The match between the top two teams in Division 2 turned out to be a real anti-climax with leaders North Wheatley beating second placed Edwinstowe very much as they pleased. Batting first Edwinstowe were fired out for just 9r runs with veteran left armer Dave Edmunds (3 for 27) and Daniel Styring (5 for 19) creating havoc in their ranks.

This target proved easy for North Wheatley who sailed to victory with Wayne Harrison (39) and Richard Robinson (35 n.o.) sending their side 44 points clear with a game in hand at the head of the table.

Moving into second place are Anston who emerged from their match with Biwater Clay Cross with seventeen points from a winning draw. Batting first Anston reached 201 for 9 with Akhilesh Rana (31), Dave Norbury (33) and skipper John Lyne (29) all batting well. For Clay Cross Mr. Dependable Geoff Turner bagged four wickets for 43 runs.

Wickets fell steadily in the Clay Cross innings when they batted and only a solid 29 from Kevin Walker saved them from outright defeat. The innings closed on 154 for 8 with Ian Barley bowling quite brilliantly to take 4 for 31 hitting the stumps on all four occasions.

Bolsover move up to third place as a result of a winning draw over Ashover on a wicket that could be described as 'too good'. Batting first Bolsover made a staggering 257 for 1 declared handing Ashover a further four overs to defend. Tariq Rashid was the star of the show making an unbeaten 157 and great support came from Neil Collings with 64.

In Ashover's reply of 190 for 5, John Hunter made an excellent unbeaten 80 and Russell Cooke 59 whilst Charlie Walker (2 for 27) recorded the best figures of the day on what was a batsman's paradise.

Eckington who are the dark horses in the chase for second place easily beat struggling Everton by seven wickets. Batting first Everton put up a much better showing than the previous week scoring 184 all out with David Hargreaves (50) and George Kite (41) both batting very well. Ian Thompson (6 for 61) and Simon Emson (4 for 42) shared the wickets for Eckington.

The target proved no obstacle to Eckington who roared to an impressive win. Richard Bostock (90) and Tom Dawson (65 n.o.) were the batsmen in form as their side reached 186 for 3.

In the other two matches in Division 2 Marshalls had a welcome nine wicket win over Whitwell and Blyth easily overcame bottom club Milton by 103 runs.