Hosiery Mills entertain runners up in Premier debut
by Alan Rowley, 19th March 2005

Last season's Bassetlaw champions Mansfield Hosiery Mills make their Nottinghamshire Premier League debut with a home game against 2004 runners up Welbeck Colliery. This game will be an early test for the runaway Bassetlaw winners who had the league title in the bag by early August last year.

Mills skipper Mark Langford will be wanting his side to make an early impression in the Premier. Langford said of his side on this site's forum: "I have never played in a side that was collectively more together as a unit, in all my playing days. It wasn't short of talent either!" That talent will need to be in top form from the start of the season if they are to continue their progress.

Visitors Welbeck Colliery are a standing dish for each way backers and again look a good bet for a place. They pushed champions West Indian Cavaliers all the way in 2004, although they never looked like taking the championship. The pair finished well clear of third placed Kimberley Institute.

Kimberley challenged early on in 2004, but they fell by the wayside as the height of summer arrived. They are another team that always look banker each way bets, but never seem to be good enough to make that final push for the title. Will 2005 be any different?

Kimberley's first fixture opponents Retford struggled on their return to the Premier, and could struggle again. The 2003 Bassetlaw champions have a tough opener at Newdigate Street and will need a good result to put their 2004 performances behind them.

The South Notts champions, Gedling Colliery, are welcome additions to the Premier League. They were popular winners of the South Notts title, coming from behind to pip all the way leaders Plumtree in the final furlong. 2005 will be a totally different ball game and they will need to strengthen their squad to make an impression.

Wollaton entertain the South Notts champions in the first fixture and will be expecting a good showing. A mid-table finish last season is as much as most observers expected from Wollaton, and they will do well to improve on that position this season.

Caythorpe are one of the most improved teams in Nottinghamshire cricket in recent seasons, on the field and in the quality of their facilities. With director of cricket Ron Goodley accepting the League chairman role, they will be looking to impress in 2005. Caythorpe start the season by entertaining Collingham, with the home side looking to be favourites on form.

Collingham are another team who always seem to maintain a mid-table position and seem to be short of a couple of top class players who will make all the difference. The same can be said for Papplewick & Linby, a team who surprised a few with an acceptable 2004 season. Although finishing in the lower half of the league, they performed with credit throughout and should supplement their Premier League place in 2005.

Papplewick start their 2005 season by entertaining Clifton Village. The Village are a side who have the potential to make a big impact in 2005, if they can fulfill their potential, a top three place is a strong possibility.

Notts Unity, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, have the toughest task of all with a first week home fixture against the Cavaliers. Unity could face an uphill struggle again this year, and a draw against the Cavs will be the best they can hope for.

What can be said about the Cavaliers that hasn't already been said? Despite a poor start to 2004, by their standards, they raced to the top of the league and stayed there. Rumours abound of new signings during the winter, but as always, they are playing their cards close to their chests. One thing is for sure though, they go into the 2005 season as odds on favourites to retain their title and few will want to bet against them.

The season starts on April 30th and ends with a double-header weekend on the 10th / 11th September. As usual, there is a double-header on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend with fixtures taking place on the Monday, as well as the Saturday. The season's first week fixtures are as follows:

Mansfield Hosiery Mills v Welbeck Colliery
Kimberley Institute v Retford
Papplewick & Linby v Clifton
Wollaton v Gedling Colliery
Notts Unity Casuals v West Indian Cavaliers
Caythorpe v Collingham 

For a full list of fixtures for 2005, click here.