Fairhill in fine form
by Dennis Wright, 13th July 2002

Clifton Village II's Pete Fairhall was in fine form hitting 121 against Nottingham II in 2A of the Gunn & Moore South Notts. League.

Batting first Clifton piled on the runs as relegation-threatened Nottingham struggled to quash the runs. Trevor West hit 61 and Clifton even had the luxury of declaring on 280/5. Nottingham were then bowled out for a miserly 52 as Pete Fairhall rounded off a superb personnel display taking 6/9.

The win leaves Clifton behind Kimberley as their game against Notts. Amateurs was a no result. 17-year-old James Wookey performed well with the ball taking 7/58 to help Radcliffe on Trent II to a winning draw over Southwell II, in the same division.

Risley 2nd XI

In 2D, 16 year old Robert Erlham hit an unbeaten 50 for Sawley III against Lambley II, and 14yr olds Chris Seymour hit 48 for Stoke Bardolph and Craig Smethers 41 in reply for Underwood. Wollaton's Andrew Rattary is relishing his batting opportunities hitting his 3rd ton in 4 weeks, this time against Long Eaton II. He followed his 136* with 4/11.

Collingham, 204/2, moved closer to the premiership with an emphatic 8 wicket victory over Balderton 202/7. Gotham Village, 185, maintained their slim hopes with a narrow win over Radcliffe 155. Hard on their heels are Gedling Colliery 230/5 who managed a winning draw at home to Notts. Amateurs 171/6, and Eastwood Town 227/8 who beat Attenborough 223/4.

Hucknall, who showed promise last week, came unstuck against Plumtree, 228/7, for whom Josh Peterson hit 105* and then James Cameron took 7/27 as Hucknall bowed out for 52. Calverton, 172/7, returned to winning ways beating Newark 171/8 by 3 wickets. Newark, along with Ellerslie, are starting to fall way at the bottom of 1B, although Ellerslie, 184/8, did revive their hopes with a comfortable win over Belvoir 120. Long Eaton's 162/7 defeat by Nottingham 163/5 leaves the 2nd promotion spot wide open for a late challenge from any of 4 teams.

Batsmen have dominated 1C this year but Flowserve's Peter Lambert struck back for the bowlers taking 7/37 to help dismiss Thrumpton for 143, just 21 runs short of Flowserve's total. In 1D leaders Risley had no game so Thurgarton, 210/6, beating Wymeswold 197/7 helped pile on the pressure as these two seem favourites for promotion, although Kirkby Portland 211/6 are keeping in touch having beat Wilson 134 by 77 runs. Beeston Siemens 185/4, 6 wicket victory over promotion rivals Toton sycamore 182, gave their own hopes a boost, while Hickling 166/3 regained top spot beating Long Whatton 163/9.

In 1G, Caunton, 58, unexpectedly lost to bottom club Hoveringham, 62/7, allowing Woodborough to move within 0.1pt of Caunton, whilst West Bridgford 124, are slipping away following their 4th loss in 5 weeks this time at home to Bestwood Village 157/9.

Stanton 178/9, bottom of the pile in 1H nearly pulled off a spectacular recovery to beat Breaston 184/7 but just ran out of overs 6 runs short of victory. Belton batting first against 9 man Poplars hit 215/4, Poplars set off after the total and at 103 /0 the signs looked good, then came an amazing collapse as all Poplars' wickets fell for just 13 more runs.

Hucknall TA 181/7 moved top of 1H after beating close rivals Nottingham Victoria 130, while Gladstone's 153, win over former leaders Aspley Park 140/9 ensures the closest battle for promotion in all the league. Rainworth 182, re-joined the battle with an equally hard fought victory at home to Stapleford 157. Seven teams all have a realistic chance of promotion as less than 2pts separate them all.

Notts. Unity II 139/9, lost their 100% record losing at home to Gedling Colliery II 140/4. Wollaton II maintained the pressure in a winning draw at Long Eaton II while Gotham II 222/7, did their chances no harm with a winning draw away at Caythorpe III 159/5. Gedling & Sherwood II 204/9 beat Stanton by Dale 203/5 in a close finish that could have ended with any result down to the last ball. Lady Bay Boots II 186/7 march on at the top this time beating Risley II 136. For Keyworth II, 237/7, Jeff Tindsley hit 116* against Beeston Siemens II, 162/8, while Attenborough III, 175/7, continue their promotion push beating Notts. Amateurs 145.

Biggest score of the day came from 2G's Lowdham II who hit 301 against Edingley II 154. Leaders Long Whatton II 118/8, won again this time at Collingham III 105, who nearly produced the shock of the day.