Killamarsh provide the shock of the season
by Paul Barker, 27th July 2002

After returning to the top sphere for the first time in 31 years Killamarsh must have wondered if the effort getting there was really worth it after losing eight of their first eleven matches.

That was until Saturday when they pulled off the shock of this season as they steamrolled leaders Cutthorpe with seven wickets to spare and gave themselves hope for the rest of the campaign.

Batting first Cutthorpe reached a modest 161 for 9 with only Nigel Kingham (55) and Karl Fields (31) faring with any distinction against a tidy Killamarsh attack in which Australian Cameron Belshaw produced the best figures with 3 for 37.

This target proved no problem for Killamarsh as they turned the form book upside down with Rob Carlisle (59 n.o.) and Pete Allen (61 n.o.) taking them to a surprisingly easy win. Cutthorpe skipper Mark Barlow was gracious in defeat saying his side were well beaten by a better side on the day and stating his own side must now start again if the title dream is to be fulfilled.

Kiveton kept up the chase and closed the gap substantially as they took eighteen points from a winning draw against Thoresby Colliery. Batting first Kiveton piled up a massive 276 for 6 with Aussie Steve Frost again in good form with 89 and Richard Grainger giving good support with 49. Skipper Rob Coxon then weighed in with an unbeaten 50 off just 22 balls against a tiring attack in which Scott Lindsay (5 for 66) bowled magnificently.

Thoresby were then indebted to Nigel Burkitt who made a gritty 72 as they hung on at 197 for 9 with Richard Spurr being the pick of the Kiveton attack with 3 for 34.

It was a real batsman's paradise at Central Avenue as home side Worksop piled up a huge 304 for 4 against Glapwell. Glen Pym (137) and Richard Gale (106) both scored brilliant centuries and Glapwell were left with a mountain to climb.

They did that without at any time threatening the Worksop target, finishing on 200 for 6 with Dean Graney (51), young Travis Binnion contributing his first half century with a patient 58 and Matthew Hall 37 all batting well.

This was Worksop's first positive result of the season and whilst it will not lift them from the foot of the table it will give them confidence for the rest of the campaign.

Two great matches completing Saturday's division 1 programme. At Papplewick the home side reached 219 for 6 with Jim Rhodes making 79 and good support coming from Gareth Rusinowski (50 n.o.) and Steve Betteridge (36) whilst Nolan McKenzie was the best of the Arnold attack taking 3 for 59.

In reply it was that man McKenzie yet again making a brilliant unbeaten 89 well supported by skipper Andy Hobbs as Arnold reached 220 for 6 to pull off a very impressive four wicket win.

At Farnsfield the most heart stopping finish imaginable occurred with the home side gaining a winning draw with just one run to spare. Batting first Farnsfield reached 222 for 8 with Andrew Edwards (44), Phil Creswell (48) Tom Corbyn (30) and Glyn Edwards (29) leading the charge. Bradley Scott, Mark Gosling and Dave Loveridge grabbed a couple of wickets each, but the vital part of the innings was acted out in the final over when 16 year old Mark Hallam scored a priceless 15 runs.

Hosiery Mills made a wretched start but recovered well with Clive Graham (49) and Kiwi Bradley Scott (52) both batting well. It was however the youthful Hallam who had the final say taking 6 for 57 with a magnificent catch off the final ball from his bowling meaning the difference between the winning draw and defeat. Tim Haines gave his usual big hearted supported with 3 for 81 from 25 overs at the other end.

The race for the Division 2 title is almost over with North Wheatley moving a massive 61 points clear with a game in hand after overcoming a tricky looking fixture with Eckington with consummate ease. Batting first Wheatley rattled up 247 for 2 with Dave Waller (40) and Richard Robinson (47) supporting the brilliant New Zealander Michael Davidson who made a magnificent unbeaten 108.

Eckington's reply was just a procession back to the pavilion as they were dismissed for only 81 runs with Daniel Styring wreaking havoc in their ranks taking 5 for 16 in an inspired spell.

The nearest challengers all went down to unexpected defeats against sides struggling at the wrong end of the table. Third placed Bolsover went down heavily to Everton who were one of the bottom by a comfortable five wickets. For once Tariq Rashid failed with the bat and Bolsover were dismissed for 173 with Norman Dolling (42), Andy Crookes (36) and skipper Jon Grant (35) scoring the bulk of the runs. For Everton Andy Snell (3 for 35), John Waghorne (3 for 44) and Neil Waghorne (3 for 35) all bowled superbly.

Everton then knocked off the total to give themselves a much needed maximum points haul. John Waghorne (35) and the big hitting Duncan Hargreaves (55) saw them to 176 for 5 and Tariq Rashid's (3 for 44) was scant consolation for the promotion chasing Bolsover side.

Fourth placed Edwinstowe capitulated against lowly Ashover in an exciting tussle at Forest Corner. Batting first Edwinstowe reached 208 for 9 with Ian Smith making 41 and Shaun Darby (31) whilst Roger Bolstridge bowled superbly to take 5 for 76 for Ashover.

This daunting target held no fears for Ashover however as Russell Cooke batted brilliantly to make 107 and Andy Lunn (40) supported well as they reached 212 for 7 to win by three wickets.

Bottom placed Milton who look odds on to be relegated accomplished their first victory of the season against a Whitwell side who are now in serious trouble. Batting first Whitwell could only reach 161 for 6 with skipper Duncan Forrest making 43 and Graham Venables claiming 3 for 39 for Milton. In reply excellent batting by Jim Henstock (83 n.o.) and skipper Mick Flynn (38) took Milton to 162 for 2 and a deserved and much needed victory.

Moving up to second place is Blyth who claimed a winning draw in a real thriller at Clay Cross. Blyth were well served as they made 248 for 7 by Richard Wild who fell eight runs short of a deserved century and Pete Jones who added 68 good runs. Paul Higginbottom (3 for 64) and Nigel Hibbert (4 for 75) both bowled well for Biwater in the very humid conditions.

In reply Michael Bradley (34), Steve Cracknell (49) and Martin Leatherday (42) had a good dart at victory for Clay Cross who fell just short at 230 for 9. Andy Barthorpe (4 for 120) and veteran Steve Howe (3 for 68) both bowled superbly for Blyth who are now in with a real chance of returning to Division 1 after a six year absence.