Leaders Attenborough overturned by Collingham
by Dennis Wright, 8th June 2002

A major shock in the seconds league this week as 2A leaders Attenborough were overturned by Collingham, who beat the visitors by four wickets.

This leaves the way open for Kimberley Institute to take over at the top following their easy victory over Notts Amateurs. For Kimberley, Vaughan Hamilton topped scored with 63 as the Brewery Boys knocked off the required 160. Harvey Burton's 62 for Amateurs proved to be all in vain. Kimberley are now the only unbeaten outfit in the division.

Third placed Clifton Village beat Hucknall in a close game by 15 runs to keep up the pressure on Kimberley. Pete Fairhall top scored with 43 and Glen Fairhall took 5 for 48.

Also in 2A Radcliffe-on-Trent had a walkover as Nottingham were unable to raise a side and Plumtree had a winning draw against Southwell. For Plumtree, Dave Tinsley hit the division's highest score with an unbeaten 69.

In 2B, Loughborough Carillion fared little better after last week's hammering at the hands of Eastwood. This week they did slightly better with the bat as they mustered 47 all out in reply to Bottesford's 254 for 4. For Bottesford, Chris King hit 84, Keith Wright hit 73 and Tony Johnson returned figures of 4 for 8.

Eastwood were again on fire as they thumped Long Eaton by six wickets. The visitors must have come into this game expecting to follow up their early season victory over the Town but it was not to be. Eastwood's opening attack of Jamie Rowley (6 for 17) and Matt Murfin (4 for 35) soon had Long Eaton back in the pavilion for a meagre 56. Another excellent performance from Murfin following last week's 7 for 5 against Carillion.

League leaders Unity Casuals maintained their unbeaten record with a victory away to Ellerslie. Scott Wakefield's unbeaten 69 saw them overturn Ellerslie's total of 168 for 8 with the loss of only four wickets.

Also in 2B, Wollaton beat Gotham in a thriller by 6 runs, despite Andy Meason's unbeaten 63, and Gedling Colliery had a winning draw against Caythorpe III.

Other highlights from the seconds included 14 year old Matthew Wright's 6 for 34 for Calverton in their victory over West Bridgfordians. Paul Rope hit a maiden fifty for Nuthall against Belvoir. Paul finished on 77. Martin Lee scored 97 for Lowdham, accompanied by Ian Griffiths 72, as his side thumped Nottingham by 137 runs.

In 2F Long Eaton thirds completed a miserable day for the West Park outfit as they were skittled for just 44 to lose there away fixture to Chilwell by 85 runs. One of those days!