Arnold given much needed breathing space
by Paul Barker, 29th June 2002

Desperatley needing points after slumping to third from the bottom of the table, Arnold managed a winning draw against the side one place below themselves in the table, Killamarsh to give them some much needed breathing space.

Batting first Arnold reached 217 for 7 with West Indian Nolan McKenzie making a splendid unbeaten 93 and was well supported Mark North (35) and Don Leiper (31). Rodney Cook was the best of an overworked Killamarsh attack taking 4 for 43 after a good tidy stint.

Killamarsh then made a good strong reply and almost came away with the points. Australian Cameron Belshaw (33) and a fine cavalier style innings from Ross Turner who made a quick fire unbeaten 79 almost took them to a thrilling victory until they fell just short on 209 for 9. Rick Peacock with 5 for 72 was the best of the Arnold attack whilst Andy Rann and Nolan McKenzie picked up a brace of wickets each.

Leaders Cutthorpe failed to separate the last pair as bottom club Worksop held out gallantly for a draw at the Recreation Ground. Batting first Cutthorpe piled up the runs scoring 252 for 5 with Karl Fields (84) and Andy Thompson (75) batting brilliantly with good support from Asadullah Butt with 31.

This target was never really threatened although Worksop did bat much better than recent performances suggested they might. Skipper Richard Hare made 38 and Timmy Ward 28 but the last pair held out for the final eight overs to deny Cutthorpe a maximum points haul. Asadullah Butt (4 for 72) and Andy Pierrepont (4 for 70) took the wickets as Cutthorpe had to make due with eighteen points.

Innings of the day came from the brilliant Australian batsman Steve Frost of Kiveton Park who smashed the Cuckney attack to every part of the field as he made 167 out of his side's massive 304 for 6. Skipper Rob Coxon was unbeaten on 44 and Richard Grainger added 28 as Kiveton showed what batting is all about. Cuckney were well served by Ian Morley and Matt. Sangar who picked up a couple of wickets each.

This target was almost unattainable and Cuckney were bowled out for 194 despite good efforts from Aussie Bryn Gaunt (45) and Ian Morley who enjoyed a fine all round match with 64. Ian Thompson with 4 for 53 was the pick of the Kiveton attack and Adam Burgess and Andy Norbury weighed in with a couple of wickets each as their side closed to within two points of second place in the league.

Papplewick & Linby absolutely thrashed Thorseby Colliery out of sight by 151 runs. Batting first Papplewick were indebted to Wayne Noon (90) and Gareth Rusinowski (35) as they reached 200 for 8 with only Steve Collington (3 for 25) causing any problems for Thoresby.

Thoresby then embarked on a procession back to the pavilion in double quick time as they were dismissed for just 49 runs. Simon Roberts (4 for 20), Jim Rhodes (3 for 21) and Richard Hodgkinson (3 for 2) doing the damage as Papplewick roared back to form with a confidence building victory.

Farnsfield kept up their challenge with a winning draw against Glapwell. Batting first Farnsfield were well served by Andy Edwards (33), skipper Phil Creswell (40) and an unbeaten 69 from John Musgrove as they reached an impressive 230 for 8. Only Matthew Hall (3 for 67) caused them much trouble and this target looked rather daunting to say the least.

So it proved and Glapwell held out for the draw on 161 for 9 with Nick Bircumshaw making 30 whilst Steve Randall was the pick of the Farnsfield attack with 3 for 45.