High drama in the South Notts
by Dennis Wright, 31st August 2002

Promotion hopes and relegation fears where borne out in an afternoon of high drama in the Gunn & Moore South Notts Cricket League.

In 1G Caunton, who had occupied a promotion place for most of the season, needed a win and a slip up by Woodborough or Bestwood Village. Caunton's win was impressive racking up 194/8 to beat West Bridgford by 129 runs. Woodborough (179/3) duly beat Sutton Bonnington (178) to give them the champion's position. Bestwood Village batted first away at relegation threatened Flintham scoring 190. Flintham's response was a good one but eventually they went down by 20 runs and with that defeat slipped down a division.

The tightest finish was in 1H where 3rd placed Hucknall TA disposed of bottom club Stanton for just 59; a total that was passed in record time to secure the maximum points. Stapleford amassed 224/8 and then bowled out Aspley Park for 97 thanks mainly to Mick Bowen 7/39. Carrington Cavaliers were cheered on by Hucknall TA who had travelled across town to see if leaders Rainworth Welfare would slip up, which they did. Arslan Shah followed his 101* from last week with 73 as Carrington set 180/8 off their allotted overs. Rainworth struggled and eventually fell 86 runs short and slipped out of the promotion places.

In 1C Bottesford took on West Bridgfordians who needed a victory to help stave of relegation, whilst Bottesford needed a win to bounce back to 1B after just one season. The win for Bottesford (170/6) was convincing enough to secure that promotion, but Bridgfordians (114/8) were to be saved as Lady Bay Boots slipped down to 1D after Stanton by Dale (270/5) routed them out for 130. Richard Deeley had earlier top scored with a season's best 129*.

East Bridgford (72), who had been unable to raise a side the week before, occupied the remaining relegation spot in 1E after losing at home to champions Hickling (73/2). When Chilwell (141/8), hung on for victory over Long Whatton (132) in a close finish, those points dropped by not playing last week came back to haunt Bridgford who were relegated by three points.

Wollaton II secured Champions spot by beating Gotham II in 2B. Wollaton batting second saw Andrews Rattray 93* and Crossley 43* put on their 5th 100 opening partnership of the season to pass Gotham's poor 142/8. Notts. Unity (233/6 dec) win over Loughborough Carillion (68) makes them favourites to join Wollaton but Gedling Colliery (257/4 dec) are not giving up having claimed a winning draw to Eastwood Town II (148/4).

Gedling's Zed Rahman top scored in the division with 142*. Balderton II had been favourites for promotion until a recent slump saw Kimberley Institute III move into the promotion picture. Balderton (83) were blown away by undefeated Attenborough III (85/2), with Michael Turner taking 7/33. But good news was to arrive in the shape of Notts. Amateurs who not only survived triple relegation for the club with a 32 run win over Kimberley (149) but also ensured Balderton of the 2nd promotion place, Beeston Siemens II were the unlucky side to go down.

Wilsons II went into the 2E clash at home to Thrumpton needing 20pts and a prayer that all the other results would go their way to avoid the drop. Steve Weightman ended all hopes with a career best 154* as Thrumpton racked up 254/5. Wilsons response was a good one but fell 57 runs short. Simon Hopson 123* for Radcliffe III saw opponents Long Eaton III return back to 2G after just one season.

Lambley II finished the season without a win, only the 2nd club to manage this in the league's history, whilst Calverton, Kimberley II, Attenborough III and Awsworth II are all undefeated.

Outstanding performance of the day went to Kinoulton's Kelly Davies whose 8/10 only just beats his previous best of 8/11, although that was a long time ago. Kinoulton's (205/7) victory over Edingley (30) was emphatic but Edingley survived the drop by virtue of their recent victories.

Cotgrave took on West Indian Caribs in the Raleigh Cup Final at Kinoulton on Sunday, a game dominated by Man of the Match Tony Newby. Cotgrave, having won the toss and elected to bat, failed to use up all their allotted overs when all out for 120 in the 37th over. But Newby who had top scored with 46 took a league record 5 catches as well as recording 2/19 for his bowling as the Caribs were all out for less than a hundred.

Clifton Village II retained the Home Brewery cup beating rivals Kimberley II by 46 runs. Trevor West had started the onslaught hitting 63 as Clifton rattled up 261/8. Steve Haslam top scored with 64 for Kimberley, but when he was finally out the challenge slipped away and fittingly 13 year old keeper Alistair Walters took the catch to dismiss the last Kimberley batsman. Clifton's Peter Fairhall was named Man of the Match for his rapid 35 and 2/35 dismissing both of Kimberley's most influential batsman.