Great Bank Holiday weekend - if the rain holds off!
by Alan Rowley, 2nd May 2003

It looks like being a great Bank Holiday weekend for Nottinghamshire cricket followers, provided the heavy showers forecast for the region don't cause too much disruption.

Highlight of the weekend is undoubtably at Trent Bridge on Monday, where the County return to action after a break of over a week. Nottinghamshire take on local neighbours Derbyshire in a National Cricket League match that both teams will be determined to win.

Visitors Derbyshire were disappointing in their opening game, going under by five wickets to Middlesex at Lord's, despite fifties from Di Venuto and Bassano. A dramatic collapse, which saw their last seven wickets fall for 48 runs, left their weak bowling attack with too few runs to defend.

Nottinghamshire have yet to start their one-day campaign, so are hoping to get off to a flyer. It should be a great game, but keep an eye on the weather as the usual Bank Holiday rain isn't too far away.

Read: Latest Nottingham weather forecast from onlineweather.com

In the Premier, newcomers Papplewick & Linby face a short trip to Kimberley following their opening defeat at Caythorpe last Saturday. They won't lie down easily, but the home team look odds-on favourites to top last weeks comfortable win over Blidworth under new skipper John Shaw.

Pre-season favourites Cavaliers face a home game against Notts Unity, who went under in a dramatic game last weekend against Wollaton. Unity, despite a magnificent 173 from Simon Neal, were stunned to see the visitors knock off the runs off the last ball of the match with only three wickets down. Karl Glenndening was the match winner for Wollaton with a fine 121.

Cavaliers squeezed home against Clifton last week by one wicket, despite having over 11 overs to spare, thanks to 53 from Andy Hay. Clifton, meanwhile, entertain Wollaton.

The full list of games is as follows:

Blidworth v Caythorpe
Kimberley v Papplewick
Bridon v Collingham
Welbeck v Southwell
West Indies Cavaliers v Notts Unity Casuals
Wollaton v Clifton

The South Nottinghamshire League bursts into action on Saturday with its first round of matches where some interesting encounters take place.

Newcomers Long Eaton take on old adversaries Eastwood Town at West Park whilst Calverton travel to former Premier side Radcliffe-on-Trent. Calverton romped away with the 1B title in 2002, winning the league almost before July was over, and they will be looking for a flying start to the new season.

Highlight of the day could be at Gedling, where the Colliery entertain Gotham. Colliery, who finished in fourth place last season, are always a tough nut to crack, but last season's runners-up Gotham could be up to the task.

Full fixtures in 1A are as follows:

Attenborough v Balderton
Gedling Colliery v Gotham
Long Eaton v Eastwood Town
Loughborough Carillion v Plumtree
Radcliffe-on-Trent v Calverton

Finally, a quick look at the Bassetlaw.

Match of the day could well be at Cutthorpe, where last season's champions will be looking to put last weekend's defeat at Hosiery Mills behind them when Cuckney are the visitors. In a classic encounter, which Paul Barker described as a match that "will surely go down amongst the matches of the season even at this early stage", Hosiery Mills clung on by only 11 runs, despite scoring a staggering 270 for 9.

Visitors Cuckney are no walkover, however, despite last week's reverse against Arnold. Cuckney, fourth last season, will be back fighting.

Full fixtures in Division 1 are:

Cutthorpe v Cuckney
Glapwell v Killamarsh
Kiveton Park v Arnold
Mansfield Hosiery Mills v Bolsover
North Wheatley v Thoresy Colliery
Retford v Farnsfield

Well, it looks like a cracking Bank Holiday. So, pack the picnic hamper, get a lager four-pack and head off to a local game.All the results and match reports will be right here on Outlawed on Sunday.