Tom comes of age
by Paul Barker, 31st August 2002

In one of the most exciting finishes seen this season Farnsfield overtook Mansfield Hosiery Mills target of 171 for 9 after needing 12 runs when the final over started.

What was even more remarkable was the maturity shown by 17 year-old Tom Corbyn who scored all the runs which earned his side eighteen very valuable points.

Hosiery Mills were deeply indebted to Clive Graham who made a splendid 62 whilst the ever dependable Tim Haines took 4 for 49 and Keith Miller 3 for 29 for the tidy Farnsfield attack. James Bennett (34) and Glyn Edwards (52) then set Farnsfield off on the right track, but the scoring rate slumped as Jonathan Best (6 for 74) produced an inspired spell of bowling, before Corbyn's final blitz took his side to victory.

Corbyn finished on 35 n.o. and he certainly will remember his heroics for a long, long time.

Cutthorpe were involved in a magnificent match with relegation threatened Killamarsh who have now virtually wiped away any lingering doubts that they might have had. Batting first Cutthorpe made the massive total of 269 for 4 before declaring with Andy Thompson (85) and Chris Marples (33) providing the support for Nigel Kingham's magnificent 110.

Anyone who thought that Killamarsh would just lie down and die were sadly deluded as they made a tremendous effort falling just short on 240 for 5 with Rob Carlisle batting superbly to reach 91, Sam Malpass (47) and Australian Cameron Belshaw (34 n.o.) all putting in a hell of a performance.

Cutthorpe now need just two points to take the title with two matches to play, which shouldn't present them with too big a problem.

Cuckney's good form ground to a halt when they went down to Papplewick & Linby by four wickets after they had taken four straight maximum point wins from their last four games. Batting first Cuckney were limited to 171 for 8 with only Jason Lucas (42 n.o.) causing much trouble to a Papplewick attack in which Simon Roberts (3 for 57) and Lee College (2 for 36) were outstanding.

This target never produced too much trouble to the Papplewick batting which is horribly inconsistent at times. They reached 173 for 6 with the Rhodes boys, Robin (48 n.o.) and Jim (31) both batting well. Matt Sangar (3 for 35) was the pick of the Cuckney attack but the total set was well short of a scoreline to trouble their opponents.

Kiveton came back from their recent decline with a comfortable winning draw over Glapwell. Batting first Kiveton once again piled up a huge score making 240 for 8 after a rather sedate start had given Glapwell hope. Richard Spurr made a quite superb 66 and was well supported by Andy Davies (36 n.o.) whilst Stuart Hall turned in a tremendous stint for Glapwell to claim 4 for 73.

Although wickets fell steadily, Glapwell held out relatively easily at 163 for 8 with Phil Matthews (33) and Stuart Hall who completed a fine all round match making 51. Richard Spurr who did likewise for Kiveton also laid claim to the man of the match title with 3 for 29.

Worksop fell to a humiliating eight wicket defeat against Thoresby Colliery and now face almost certain relegation. Batting first Worksop made 172 for 9 with Glen Pym continuing his good current run making 55 and Steve Blagg an unbeaten 59. Australian Scott Lindsay (3 for 63) and David Evans (3 for 41) bowled tidily for Thoresby.

In reply a massive opening stand of 137 virtually ensured the victory for Thoresby. Martin Cheshire (67) and Nigel Burkitt (76) were then dismissed but this was much too late and no more wickets were taken as Thoresby coasted to victory.

Division 2 has long been a one horse race and North Wheatley celebrated winning the championship with a winning draw over Everton who have shown much better form of late. Batting first Wheatley were indebted to Richard Robinson (68) and Martin Pring (36 n.o.) as they made 184 for 6 whilst Neil Waghorne bagged a brace of wickets in a good spell.

From this moment it was a case of all hands to the deck as Everton held out on 129 for 9 thanks mainly to an excellent effort from Andy Snell (41 n.o.) who saved them from almost certain defeat. Robin Hackney (4 for 33) was the pick of the Wheatley attack as they 78 points clear of their nearest rivals.

Anston now move into second place and this position appears to change every week. Their latest effort was a winning draw against Eckington but this was not without a fright or two along the way. Batting first Anston must have been grateful to Pakistani import Akilhesh Rana who made 59 out of a total of 162 all ou. Tom Dawson (3 for 24), Wayne Dye (3 for 42) and skipper Ian Thompson (3 for 41) all bowled well for Eckington.

A long and laboured start saw Eckington get well behind the clock and although Mark Smith made 62 and Richard Bostock (30) they could never catch up and closed just 6 runs short on 156 for 8. Andrew Ruczenczyn (4 for 62) and Akilhesh Rana (3 for 43) both bowled well but Eckington must have wondered how thay had let this one slip away from them.

Second placed Bolsover went crashing to a heavy six wicket defeat against Biwater Clay Cross who beat North Wheatley last week. Bolsover must have been extremely thankful to Chris Cowley (29) as they struggled to an ignominious 121 all out as Ian Bettney (3 for 26) and Simon Brown (3 for 36) simply tore through some tepid resistance.

The target set proved no contest as Rob Turner with a superb unbeaten 67 blasted Clay Cross to a deserved victory and left the second promotion place wide open.

Ashover kept their slim hopes alive with a five wicket win over Whitwell. When one considers Ashover stood next to the foot of the table on Saturday 29th June it is a remarkable revival which has seen them climb to fourth place and still in with a chance of promotion.

Whitwell must be waiting impatiently for this disappointing season for them to be over. They made 166 for 7 with Craig Sadler top scoring on 47 n.o. and Ian King being the pick of the Ashover attack taking 3 for 40.

Good batting by Andy Walker (50) and Kevin Godfrey (56 n.o.) saw Ashover reach 170 for 5 and the gravy train is still pouring for now!

Milton who have been anchored to the foot of the table all the way put on another spirited display before succumbing to another defeat this time by five wickets to Marshalls. Batting first Milton made a creditable 179 for 6 with Les Shaw making a fine unbeaten 70 and Mark Davies taking 3 for 70.

Marshalls then knocked off the required total making 180 for 5 with Australian Paul Van den Heuval making a brilliant unbeaten 101. Cyril Martin took 3 for 39 but could not stem the tide as Marshalls added 18 points to their total.

Edwinstowe simply mowed over Blyth who still have a minute chance of promotion. Blyth's batting has been rather patchy of late and once again only Mark Ambrose (57) defied the wiles of Ally Rhoides who took 4 for 37 out of disappointing all out total of 149.

This target proved no problem for Edwinstowe as Andy Rhule (47 n.o.), Nigel Jackson (49) and Ian Smith (28) eased them through to victory at 152 for 3.