Cutthorpe widen gap at the top
by Paul Barker, 20th July 2002

On a day when rain had the last laugh virtually everywhere, league leaders Cutthorpe were one of the few lucky recipients and never saw any of the wet stuff whilst blowing aside Cuckney with consummate ease by ten wickets.

Batting first Cuckney were bowled out for 154 with Australian Bryn Gaunt making 59 and Bryan Smyth (40). This represented a better effort than recent performances had suggested but the target still seemed wafer thin. As usual Cutthorpe?s seam attack proved much too good and Asadullah Butt (4 for 33) and Andrew Pierrepont (4 for 39) added to their ever growing list of victims.

The target proved no obstacle to the Cutthorpe openers and Nigel Kingham (71 n.o.) and Andy Thompson (79 n.o.) saw them cruise to victory. This win puts Cutthorpe 32 points clear at the top and sent a chilling message to the other title hopefuls that they are in no mood to be caught.

Second placed Kiveton Park looked to be on for a massive score when the rain fell with Ricahrd Grainger (65 n.o.) and Australian Steve Frost (52 n.o.) taking them to an impressive 139 for 0 against a toiling Farnsfield attack.

It was a similar scenario at Killamarsh where Rob. Carlisle (36 n.o.) and Australian Cameron Belshaw (30 n.o.) had taken the home side to an impressive 96 for 1 when the rain fell against Thoresby Colliery.

At Glapwell three overs only were bowled which was enough time for New Zealander Bradley Scott to dismiss Dean Graney but at 6 for 1 rain curtailed events for the rest of the day. Arnold and Worksop never had the chance to start their match on a disappointing day all round.

In Division 2 Everton and Biwater Clay Cross were the only two sides to complete a full match. A host of catches went down from both sides but Everton batted well to reach 194 for 7 with Duncan Hargreaves smashing six towering sixes in his 79 and John Waghorne making 38 despite being dropped six times as they reached 194 for 7. Clay Cross were indebted to their new seam bowler Paul Higginbottom who bowled impressively to take 3 for 57.

In reply Clay Cross batted superbly to reach their target making 195 for 6 with Michael Bradley making a brilliant 96 well supported by Rob Turner who was run out when the scores were level for a solid 46.

Leaders North Wheatley were thwarted by the rain after making 160 for 8 at Gainsborough against Marshalls. Wayne Harrison (54) and Dave Waller (35) both batted well whilst Andrew West 5 for 50 and Mark Davies 3 for 39 bowled tidy spells for Marshalls. At this point the rain took over and no more play was possible.

At Ashover, Blyth took 14 points from a rain-affected match. Geoff Chessman (42) and Steve Howe (47) scored the bulk of the runs in an impressive total of 180 for 8 whilst Ashover were quickly in trouble reaching 82 for 9 with Andy Barthorpe taking 4 for 47 and Steve Howe who enjoyed a splendid all round match bagged 3 for 14.

In Division 3, West Indian Cavaliers were totally eclipsed by Grassmoor by eight wickets. Batting first Cavaliers were dismissed for just 118 which proved no problem to Grassmoor with Paul Roe (41) and Pete Bedford with an impressive unbeaten 52 took them to a convincing win.

Pilsely moved to the top of Division 3 with an impressive winning draw over Mansfield and Pleasley. Saeed Bin Nazir made yet another century exactly 100 as Pilsley reached 196 for 5 and in so doing managed to reach his 1000 runs for the season. This is some feat with nine matches still to be played!

In reply Mansfield and Pleasley slumped to some fine bowling from Michael Thompson (4 for 19) and Mark Limb (3 for 18) but recovered well to earn a draw closing on 47 for 8 when the overs ran out.