Persistent rain wipes out South Notts action
by Dennis Wright, 10th August 2002

The week's persistent rain wiped out seven Gunn & Moore matches by Friday evening as groundsmen & local councils were unable to prepare wickets.

The week's persistent rain wiped out 7 Gunn & Moore matches by Friday evening as groundsmen & local councils were unable to prepare wickets.

Wymeswold in 1D persevered on Saturday morning and were rewarded with a win against Wilsons. All the Wymeswold players turned up early Saturday morning to brush the water off the square and then helped prepare 4 wickets in the hope that one would be fit for play by 2pm. All their efforts were to prove worthwhile as they picked up 18 points in a match in which Wilsons should take great credit for their good sportsmanship.

In the same division, leaders Risley slumped to their 2nd defeat in two weeks this time losing to Willoughby 171/9. Risley set off in determined fashion but as wickets fell the run rate rose, Andy Matthews 57 took them within site of victory but missed out by 4 runs as the overs ran out.

Another tight game in 1G as Bestwood Village 86 hung on to win by 1 run against Lambley 85/8. Top played 2nd in this division as Caunton 140/6 tied with Woodborough 140/8 in another last ball thrilling encounter that could have yielded a victory to either side all the way through.

Chris Wright 100 for Lowdham and John Shaw 112* for Kimberley Institute III were the league's only centuries in a weekend dominated by the bowlers.

In 2G Edingley 73/2 doubled their points total with their 1st win of the season beating Ravenshead 70, both teams have struggled for players all season but have shown the willingness to compete even with reduced numbers.

Collingham 224/3, march on to the premier with a winning draw away at Hucknall 156/8 while Plumtree's 141/7, winning draw over Notts. Amateurs, 136/9, relieves any fear of relegation. No.11 bat Daniel Winward 33* saved the losing draw for Amateurs but they are a full win away from third bottom Radcliffe 146/9 who fought a losing draw against Gedling Colliery 219/9. Calverton 221/5 secured another 20 points beating Loughborough 139 and now need only 8 points from their last 4 matches to guarantee promotion back to 1A after only 1 season. Gedling & Sherwood 174/8 ended any outside chance of promotion for Newstead beating them by 77 runs. Rolls Royce Leisure 125/2 comfortably beat Lady Bay Boots 124/8 and a win next week will secure them promotion.

In 1D the 3 bottom clubs all recorded victories. Ruddington 158/7 beat 2nd place Thurgarton 143 with a personal best of 7/44 from Lyndan Cowlard producing the division's best bowling of the season for Ruddington. Thurgarton who maintained 2nd place entertain 3rd place Kirkby Portland next Saturday and whoever wins that game will probably emerge as favourite for promotion.

Beeston Siemens 141/8 beat Awsworth 140 in 1E but both sides are still in the hunt for promotion in a division that will go to the wire. West Indian Caribs 157, loss at West Bridgford Legion 180/9 has not harmed their promotion chances, as they are only 12 points short of guaranteed promotion.

1G and 1H are providing an exciting end to the season as top teams are falling to lower placed teams as the pressure mounts. Caunton & Woodborough remain favourites for 1G but any of 6 can pinch a promotion place in 1H following Rainworth Welfare 98, loss at home to Belton 123.

Clifton Village II 110/1, returned to winning ways against Southwell II 109, but after last weeks bad defeat 2nd spot is the only realistic target they have left, Kimberley II game was lost to the weather. Wollaton II have won 10 games in 2B, but still can not close the gap on Notts Unity II who have only completed 8 games all season. Wollaton II 147/2 cruised past Loughborough II 146, with eight wickets to spare. Loughborough are relegated if they don't win all their remaining matches. Lady Bay Boots II look likely to replace them in 2B having inflicted an 8 wicket defeat on Rolls Royce Leisure 144.

In 2D Lambley II 114, are the only team in the league who have failed to record a victory, and didn't stand any chance of improving that at home to leaders Kirkby Portland II 115/4. 2nd placed Thurgarton II 123/9 came unstuck at local rivals Stoke Bardolph II 144/7 who are closing in on that 2nd place. Attenborough III secured promotion with a 6 wicket win over Whatton II 95. Awsworth II are also promoted having beat 3rd placed Hucknall III 107 by 7 wickets in a division decimated by teams struggling for players.