Champion of champions match at Cuckney
by Paul Barker, 13th September 2006

The annual match between the champions of the Bassetlaw and District Cricket League and the South Notts. League will take place at Cuckney this Saturday 16th September with a 12.30 p.m. start. Killamarsh Juniors as champions of the Bassetlaw League will represent their combination, whilst Gedling who have embarked on a yo-yo existence over the last few years will represent the South Notts. League.

The match will be of 45 overs duration per side with a maximum of nine overs per bowler on each. Killamarsh have never in their long history reached such lofty heights ever before whilst Gedling won the South Notts. League in 2004, were relegated from the Nottinghamshire Premier League in 2005 and are champions once again of the South Notts. League this season.

Both teams will be hoping to hold their own in the Nottinghamshire Premier League in 2007. It is without question an enormous leap in standard as Thoresby Colliery and Long Eaton who both gained promotion last season have quickly found out. Both have been relegated back and at no time did any other sides look to be remotely threatened, so both these sides will be aware of the task which is facing them.

Killamarsh Juniors Cricket Club
Back Row (l-r): Steve Ludlam, Pramuka Liyanage, Richard Crabtree, David Allen, Parminder Mudhar, Rodney Cook.
Front Row (l-r): Paul Burdett, Sam Malpass, Adrian Rivington, Adam Burgess, John Wooliscroft

Killamarsh took the Bassetlaw League on the final day by a single point from Cuckney but with all due respect to the runners-up who had a marvellous season, Killamarsh were worthy winners. They have an excellent blend of youth and experience and in Adrian Rivington a captain who all the side respect and do their best for. He also knows how to get the best out of his side and on several occasions this season has turned the game himself when his side looked to be in trouble.

The youthful influx includes Adam Burgess who is without question one of the league’s most talented batsmen, Sam Malpass who at 19 years of age is immensely assured and Paul Burdett another fine young batsman who can also keep wicket.

Add to them players who have been around the club for many years who have collectively produced the best form of their career’s. David Allen and Rodney Cook have both played their part with both bat and ball whilst Richard Crabtree is a dependable middle-order batsman.

They have also had the added luxury of Pramuka Liyanage who sadly for them will not be available as he flew back home to Sri-Lanka on Tuesday. This guy has been a major asset with both bat and ball and has certainly been a good signing for the club scoring over 400 runs and taking some 35 wickets.

John Wooliscroft has proved to be a very good wicket-keeper standing up to virtually everyone with great success. The bowling has been shared between a number of players including skipper Rivington, Rodney Cook, Steve Ludlam who is now showing the form everyone has known he is capable of, and finally Parminder Mudhar.

Mudhar has without question had the season of his life. Since relinquishing the captaincy, he has been a revelation and his 43 wickets at around 13.00 must take him close to winning the league averages this season. He has extracted turn and bounce out of the most docile of wickets and has been a threat everytime he has come on to bowl.

As previously stated the Killamarsh side were worthy winners and they also added the Tomlin Trophy to complete the double. Now they take on Gedling for this prestigious Champion of Champions trophy and they are all fired up to complete what would be a glorious treble.

The Killamarsh team will be:- Adrian Rivington (Captain), John Wooliscroft (WK), Adam Burgess, Paul Burdett, Sam Malpass, David Allen, Richard Crabtree, Steve Ludlam, Parminder Mudhar, Chris Hopkinson and Rodney Cook.