Summer finally smiles on South Notts
by Dennis Wright, 27th July 2002

As summer finally smiled on the Gunn & Moore league, teams took advantage to bat in the sunshine. Gareth Johnson hit 160 for Willoughby in 2D and Dave Emery hit a personal best 148 for Beeston Siemens II.

Azar Mahmood added to the long list of Lady Bay Boots II who have notched a century this season as he hit 141 out of 305/6; the top score of the day against 2nd placed Gedling & Sherwood II 100.

The top bowling performance came from Damian Swire whose 8/42 for 1F run-away leaders West Indian Caribs, 282/7, ensures them back to back promotion if they win just 2 of their last 5 games after beating 2nd place Lowdham 120. Ali Hall's 7/52 nearly gave Ellerslie II a deserved victory away at Eastwood II who just hung on for a losing draw. Thrumpton's Steven Pick took the day's only hat-trick in 1C, and Eastwood Town's John Buckley turned in the best all-round performance taking 6/69 and then hitting 65* in their win away at Plumtree in 1A.

Closest finish went to Risley in 1D who maintained their unbeaten run with a close win over 2nd place Thurgarton. Risley had batted first scoring 183/8 and in reply Thurgarton were always on course but as late wickets fell and with overs running out they finished 45 runs short of victory with a wicket left. Thurgarton's loss has let Kirkby Portland back in the promotion race and the teams' clash on the 17th August will go a long way to settling the issue.

Collingham, 191/3, have no such worries as they strive to reach the premiership, with another big win this time by 7 wickets at home to Radcliffe on Trent 189/7. 2nd beat 3rd as Gotham 195/9 dismissed Gedling Colliery for 134. That slip allows Eastwood Town back into 3rd spot.

IB's Calverton have the highest points total and seem certain of promotion as they opened a 4.6pt gap between them and 3rd place Loughborough Carillon, 173/6, who defeated Nottingham, 171/9. Long Eaton's 149/0 win at Newark, 148/8, keeps them comfortably in 2nd spot. Newark, along with Ellerslie, 177, who were defeated by Bramcote 178/3, seem certain for the drop. Rolls Royce Leisure's 271/2 defeat of Stanton by Dale 259/9 in a tight game keeps them well on course for consecutive champion's spot. Bottesford's 131/1 win over Old Paviors, 130/7, leaves them clear in 2nd spot with a chance to bounce straight back to 1b.

Keyworth, who came down with Bottesford, look certain to slide even further as they were skittled out for 74 chasing Thrumpton's 190. Snibston Grange, 151/9, nearly pulled off a remarkable win at home to Hickling, 152/7, making Hickling bat all the way to the 44th over to secure the win that keeps them top of 1E. Toton Sycamore took just 46 balls to pass Chilwell's total of 61 to remain 2nd. Wins for Caunton, Woodborough and West Bridgford leave less than 0.4 pts between the top 3 in 1G.

1H is providing the most exciting championship as any of 7 teams going into Saturday's game were in the promotion hunt. Losses for Nottingham Victoria, 83, against Stapleford, 168/8, and Carrington Cavaliers 153 against Gladstone 196/9 probably rule them out of the running whilst strengthening the victors' chances. Hucknall TA 81/3 remain in pole position after beating 2nd place Aspley Park 80, while Rainworth Welfare's 141/4 win over Bingham 140 puts them back into the automatic places.

Kimberley Institute II's, 281/4, position at the top of 2A was weakened as they could only mange a winning draw to a rejuvenated Radcliffe on Trent 221/8. Nottingham, 125, looked doomed as they lost by 7 wickets to Plumtree.

Notts. Unity, 198, consolidated their position at top of 2B in a winning draw over 2nd place Wollaton, 168/7, but both are clear of next placed Gedling Colliery. Bramcote's 211/9 defeat by Calverton, 222/3, could see them suffering back-to-back relegation whilst Calverton have not given up hope of double promotion for the club following Gedling and Sherwood's defeat. Attenborough III's 217/7 win against Wilsons II, 154, leaves them well clear of the pack, and they are another team needing 2 wins from 5 to guarantee promotion.

Awsworth II's 183/9, average of 18.7 is the best in the league and with a 99 run victory over East Leake II, they are on course with Chilwell II for promotion, Chilwell won by 7 wickets at Caythorpe IV 65.

In 2G Long Whatton II 160/9, suffered their 1st defeat of the season away at Cotgrave II 209/5. There are 7 teams battling for promotion with all but Long Whatton II recording big wins. Next week sees clashes between 6th placed Ellerslie III and 7th Cotgrave II while 3rd place Snibston Grange II take on 4th place Clifton Village III.