Hot work for century makers
by Dennis Wright, 17th August 2002

Saturday's sunny weather made it hot work for the Gunn & Moore South Notts Cricket League's eight-century makers. Hucknall's Anthony Timpson came closest to a century in 1A, left not out on 98 as his side (178/8) were beaten by Gedling Colliery (181/7).

Hucknall are now relegated after just one season in the top fight. Notts Amateurs (126) are favourites to join them after failing to get the win they needed against Radcliffe on Trent (221/4). Top of the table Collingham tied in their clash with Attenborough, both sides making 205/7. Second place Gotham Village (204/7) beat Eastwood Town (113), while Plumtree (245/8) pulled away from the relegation zone with a winning draw against Balderton (201/8).

In 1B, Manawar Sultan was the only centurion, with his 106* helping Nottingham (173/3) to beat Gedling & Sherwood (169), and move out of the relegation places. In 1C, Scott Andrew scored 113* for Rolls Royce Leisure (200/9), which together with Colin Birch's 4/42, led to an easy victory over Old Paviors (129/9). Rolls Royce and Bottesford (205/8), who beat Stanton by Dale (83), have now secured the two promotions from 1C. In the same division Keyworth, batting first, recovered from 85/5 to 209/9 and then bowled out Lady Bay Boots for 79. Lady Bay Boots may drop a division as a result.

In 1D, Kirkby Portland and Thurgarton met to battle for the second promotion place. Thurgarton (208/7) won by 3 runs as Kirkby Portland (205/5) ran out of overs. Ruddington (203/9) had the same problem chasing the 208/6 set by Willoughby-on-the-Wold. A century from Tom Chalkley helped Underwood (190/2) beat Wymeswold (188/8). Hickling (125/5), who beat Chilwell (121) and Toton Sycamore (158/4) both have an excellent chance of a consecutive promotion following there win over Awsworth (154/8).

1F leaders West Indian Caribs (176) are promoted following their 11th victory of the season, beating Cotgrave (95), second placed Lowdham, (109) must battle it out for another week after losing to Kinoulton (132/9). The pick of the bowling in 1G came in the clash between Lambley (101) and West Bridgford (82). Paul Mantle took 6 for 26 against Lambley but his side were bowled out 19 runs short with the help of Greg Davies (5/39), Bridgford have lost all hope of promotion after a promising start saw them win there first 6 matches but only two since. Bowlers were also dominant in Lenton Abbey's win over Belton in 1H. 14-year-old William Anderson took 5/33 to restrict Lenton Abbey to 134. Belton were then bowled out for just 65, as Stewart Hanagan (7/15) proved unplayable. Breaston's (180/2) defeat of Nottingham Victoria (178/8) included a contribution of 114* for Trevor Daft.

There was a nail-biting finish in 2A for Plumtree II (205/8) who won off the last ball of the innings against Notts Amateurs II (204/7). Notts Amateurs II have, as a result, joined the club's 1st and 3rd XI teams in facing a strong chance of relegation this season, as all 3 occupy relegation places.

In 2B, the relegation spots are already decided; Caythorpe III and Loughborough Carillion, both of whom lost on Saturday, will play in 2C next season. One of the teams replacing them will be Lady Bay Boots II (221/8), who have not lost all season and beat Bramcote II (133).

In 2D, Belvoir II (189/8) beat Underwood II (105) with the help of an eighth wicket partnership of 98 from teenagers Ryan Lewis (58*) and Ben Wadd (44). Lambley II (81) continued their season of losses, despite a contribution of 6/17 from Lee Ford, they were beaten by Gedling & Sherwood III (82/8).

One of two centurions in 2E was 17 year old Jonathon Adams, who scored 114 of Balderton's 235/5 in their victory over Thrumpton II (101). Stephen Tilley scored 110 for Kimberley Institute III (214/9), but Attenborough won with 215/8 in reply and after securing promotion last week were crowned champions this week. Chilwell's (167/7) win over Long Eaton III (73) has almost secured promotion from 2F, while heightening Long Eaton III's chance of relegation back to 2G after just one season.

In 2G, Clifton Village III's win, helped by Rod Springer's 104, over Ellerslie III put them fifth in the table. Peter Sears, however, with 108* was 2G's top scorer as his side Belvoir III (259/6) beat Thrumpton III (201/6). Simon Sharpe got his first 50 for Ravenshead II (149/8), but their loss against Nottingham III (150/4) left them second from bottom of the league.