Awsworth pile on the runs
by Dennis Wright, 3rd August 2002

522 runs were scored in the 1E clash between Awsworth and Snibston Grange, including 3 centuries. Awsworth, electing to bat, lost usual batting hero Martin Yard for a duck. Richard Barnes 111* and Matthew Winfield 118 soon made up for that setback as Awsworth piled the runs on to finish 272/4.

Snibston Grange were in no mood to roll over and came out fighting with Neil Manning hitting 110 and Matt Merritt 51 as they posted a respectable 250.

In 1C another high scoring encounter saw Flowserve's Colin Cliff hit 100* with Peter Lambert 84* in their total of 217/1. Lady Bay Boots came close to the total but fell away in the last overs finishing 21 runs short.

In 1F Edingley fought hard for a rare victory as they tried to defend 157, but West Bridgford Legion snatched a dramatic win off the very last ball with a wicket to spare. Kinoulton's Gary Baker recorded the 11th Hat Trick of the season against Epperstone but could not stop his side from losing by 54 runs. East Bridgford were 77/7 and recovered to 193/9 with Warren Hepples stranded on 99* as they easily beat Chilwell who have slipped into the relegation zone as Bridgford climbed out. 17 year old James Wookey returned the best bowling figures of the day taking 7/31 against Nottingham II before Southwell II struggled to pass Nottingham modest total of 122.

Collingham, 121/8, clung on to save a losing draw at home to Gedling Colliery, 145/8, but still remain favourites for promotion. Gotham Village, 110/3, however, completed an easy 7 wicket victory over Hucknall 109/8 to keep the pressure on. Eastwood Town's 153/7 winning draw over Notts. Amateurs 88/6 gives them an outside chance of promotion. Radcliffe on Trent, 201/6 dec, winning draw over Plumtree, 116/5, eases any fears of relegation but heightens Plumtree's need to win against Notts. Amateurs next Saturday.

Rolls Royce Leisure's Colin Birch hit his 3rd century of the season, notching an impressive 125 to help Rolls Royce beat West Bridgfordians, 81, by 158 runs. Keyworth were scuttled out for 76 against Stanton by Dale but struck back in dramatic fashion to dismiss Stanton 5 runs short of the total. The win gives Keyworth a chance to survive, with a must-win game against 3rd bottom West Bridgfordians next week.

Risley, 163, lost their unbeaten record to Underwood 200/7, but are still firm favourites for promotion as 3rd place Kirkby Portland 127/6 came unstuck at home to Wymeswold 223/8. Second place Thurgarton had less trouble against Willoughby who were dismissed for 79, although Thurgarton did lose 7 wickets in the chase.

Hickling, 128, maintained top spot in 1E with an away win at 3rd place Beeston Siemens, 106. Toton's home game against Ravenshead was one of 9 washed out by the thunderstorm. Hickling and Toton clash next Saturday, which could help decide the 1E champions. Awsworth moved above Beeston Siemens into third place.

West Indian Caribs, 210, continued strengthening their grip on 1F with a win against Old Dalby, 165/8, whilst Lowdham, 138/7, maintained the 2nd promotion place with a win at Welby 137/2.

In 1G Caunton take on Woodborough next week with 3rd placed West Bridgford poised to seize any opportunity to get back into promotion places. All 3 had wins at the weekend but closest was Bridgford who despite being bowled out for 76 held on to win by 9 runs against Hoveringham 67.

Rainworth Welfare 133/2, climbed to the top of 1H courtesy of a 20 point win at Breaston, 128. Hucknall TA's game was abandoned and Poplars 146/4 turned in the result of the day beating Stapleford 142. Kimberley Institute II's win at home to Collingham II tasted sweeter when the news about closest rivals Clifton Village II's defeat away at Plumtree II came through.

Wollaton II, 109/6, maintained their challenge for promotion from 2B with a win against Eastwood Town II, 108. Long Eaton II, 105, gained 20 pts against Caythorpe III, 72, easing them away from relegation. Loughborough Carillon 177, look doomed despite beating Gotham Village II, 93, for their 1st win of the season.

Kirkby Portland II lead 2D and had Belvoir II in all sorts of problems until Steve Wilson hit a blistering 60 off 30 balls including 6 sixes. The score was never enough though and Portland won by 6 wickets.