Papplewick close gap
by Paul Barker, 17th August 2002

In what was undoubtedly the match of the season, Papplewick and Linby beat second placed Kiveton Park by a massive eight wickets with five overs to spare.

When one considers that 545 runs were scored for the loss of a mere three wickets, it is even more incredible and that Kiveton scored 272 for 1 and lost is simply breathtaking.

Batting first Kiveton simply piled up the runs with the brilliant Australian Steve Frost making a superb unbeaten 147 and excellent support coming from the hugely talented Adam Burgess (78 n.o.) whilst Richard Grainger (31) must have felt he had missed out with such a huge total being recorded.

Huge or not, it simply wasn't enough as Papplewick tore into the Kiveton attack like a lion stalking its prey and Wayne Noon (104 n.o.) and Neil Sparham (114) batted magnificently as the unthinkable happened. Steve Betteridge also contributed a very good unbeaten 39 as Papplewick raced to victory in what is becoming the most exciting title chase for years.

Cutthorpe still head the league but don't count out Papplewick or Kiveton yet. All three sides are capable and good enough to take the title and the two that miss out can still look back with enormous satisfaction on what they achieved in the 2002 season.

Farnsfield who are just off the pace failed by one wicket to gain a maximum points haul and had to be content with a winning draw over relegation threatened Thoresby Colliery. Batting first Farnsfield made 225 for 9 with Andrew Edwards (46) skipper Phil Creswell (52), and Mark Vickery (33) all doing the business. David Evans (5 for 60), and Australian Scott Lindsay (3 for 58) bowled tidily for Thoresby to keep the target within range.

As it happens this total proved much too much for Thoresby who clung on at 122 for 9 thanks mainly to skipper Martin Cheshire (32) and a dour defensive display from Scott Dickens (16 n.o.) who haled a rampant Farnsfield attack at bay for more than ten overs. Steve Randall with 4 for 44 was the best of the Farnsfield attack but that final wicket proved too elusive for them and Thoresby picked up a priceless extra two points.

Cuckney have regained form with a vengeance and made it three wins out of three with a narrow but deserved 16 run win over Arnold. Batting first Cuckney reached 200 for 8 with Australian Bryn Gaunt making an excellent unbeaten 101 aided and abetted by Gavin Johnson (48). Nolan McKenzie (4 for 96) and Rick Peacock (3 for 63) were the pick of the Arnold attack.

Arnold made a bold effort for a victory and Ally Allcock (48) and Don Leiper (49) both batted well, but they were to fall just short at 184 all out with Gavin Johnson taking 3 for 89 and in particular some superb slow bowling by Paul Gurnell who recorded the brilliant figures of 7 for 60whilst taking Cuckney to a narrow success.

The two bottom clubs Killamarsh and Worksop closed right up on Thoresby Colliery and Glapwell after morale boosting winning draw performances.

Killamarsh scored 221 for 8 in their vital match with Glapwell with skipper Mark Bull (48), Sam Malpass (32), Peter Allen (40) and David Allen (34) all making significant contributions. Glapwell never looked like troubling this target and only a gritty 42 from skipper Gary Saxby saved them from certain defeat. Dave Barton (3 for 33) was the pick of the Killamarsh attack as Glapwell closed on 123 for 8.

Worksop put on a fine show in a high scoring tussle with Mansfield Hosiery Mills. Glen Pym scored his third century in the last four league matches with 101 and Steve Blagg laid good foundations with 40 as Worksop totaled 223 for 7.

Hosiery Mills tried hard to reach the target but with wickets falling at regular intervals they fell just short with 206 for 9. Skipper Mark Langford (44) and Darren Johnson (26) were the Hosiery Mills saviors whilst veteran Steve Ambrose (4 for 61) and Tim Ward (3 for 6) almost took Worksop to their first win of the season.

In Division 2 North Wheatley moved ever closer back to Division 1 with a winning draw over Whitwell. Fine batting from Kiwi Michael Davidson (86), Wayne Harrison (80), Dave Waller (37) and Gareth Campion (30) took Wheatley to a massive 274 for 5 when the overs ran out. Whitwell then decided this task was beyond them immediately, and saw time out on 176 for 4 with Alan Draycott making a fine undefeated 87. North Wheatley are now 58 points to the good and two more wins from their last five matches will make promotion a certainty.

Blyth kept things moving on in second place with an emphatic eight wicket win over bottom club Milton. Batting first Milton totaled a creditable 186 for 9 with Jim Henstock making a fine unbeaten 81, but this target proved a trifle inadequate as Blyth raced to victory via a magnificent 117 n.o. from Pete Jones who had good support from Lee Dennis (27 n.o.) who provided the much needed anchor role at the other end.

Bolsover continue in third place after a comfortable six wicket success over Biwater Clay Cross. Batting first Clay Cross were limited to 176 for 6 with Ian Betney (38) and Ian Knowles (37 n.o.) providing the backbone of the innings. This target was achieved by Bolsover with Tariq Rashid again batting well with an unbeaten 51 and Neil Collings providing the back-up with 42 as Bolsover reached 180 for 4. The second place would seem to be between Blyth and Bolsover and both teams have some tricky encounters to negotiate before the end of the season with the match between them at Bolsover on September 7th being of vital importance.

Edwinstowe moved up to fourth place after a comprehensive 112 run win over Eckington who appear to be in freefall of late. Andy Rhule (50) and Ian Smith (76) were the principle run getters for Edwinstowe in a total of 212 for 6 when the overs ran out. Simon Emson (4 for 49) was the pick of an overworked Eckington attack which the Edwinstowe batsmen made full use of. In reply Eckington were dismissed for just 100 with Tom Dawson (51) saving the innings from becoming a complete rout. Sean Bullin (3 for 29) was the best of an Edwinstowe attack which never let Eckington off the hook.

Marshalls Australian Paul Van den Heuval is in prime form at the moment and he scored a well made 64 out of his side's 181 for 5 at Anston. Good support came from Simon Doyle (44 n.o.) whilst Andy Ruczencyzn (4 for 36) was the best of the Anston attack. This total proved too much for Anston but spare a thought for Ruczencyzn who after his bowling heroics scored 67 excellent runs. The rest however failed to cope with Mark Davies (6 for 66) and Andrew West (4 for 34) as Anston were bowled out for 154 to give Marshalls a 27 run win.

Everton and Ashover are two teams who have recovered well from abject early season form and are climbing the table with some style. Batting first Everton made 163 all out with John Mimms (44) and Robert Nicholas (30 n.o.) both batting well. Roger Bolstridge who seems to have taken a particular liking for the Everton batting was again well to the fore taking 7 for 75 in a superb spell of bowling.

Not without a scare or two along the way Ashover recorded a narrow two wicket win with Andy Walker (38), Richard Roddis (30) and that man Bolstridge (32 n.o.) providing the runs needed. Robert Mimms with 6 for 50 almost got Everton back in the game but the target set was about 20 runs short of being realistic.