Attenborough v Farnsfield at Welbeck
by Paul Barker, 19th September 2008

When the Nottinghamshire Premier League began in 1999 it was a major surprise to everyone that Attenborough from the Gunn and Moore Alliance and Farnsfield from the Bassetlaw League had not qualified for membership.

It is possibly even more of a surprise that it has taken ten years for both to realise their dream with Attenborough winning the South Nottinghamshire League this season and Farnsfield taking the Bassetlaw title.

This Saturday at the superb setting at Sookholme Lane, Nettleworth, near Warsop, which is the home ground of Welbeck these two sides will contest the annual Michael Baylis Champion of Champions match that is kindly sponsored by Mapperley Sports.

The game starts at 12.30 p.m. and is of a 45 overs per side nature with no bowler allowed to bowl more than nine overs. For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure to visit this magnificent ground yet, then take the chance this Saturday, you won’t be disappointed.

Both sides are village clubs but over the years they have produced good players virtually at will. Cricket in Attenborough dates back as far as 1827, but the club itself was officially founded in 1905. The club ceased to be throughout the Second World War, but was thankfully re-formed in 1955 and they have played at a high standard ever since.

Their picturesque ground won a coveted award in 1990 when they gained first prize in a ground development competition that was organised by the Institute of Groundsmen and the Nottinghamshire Cricket Association. They are rightly proud of their ground that will be an asset to the Premier League next campaign.

The club has an excellent youth set up and as well as three Saturday sides they have several sides which has seen the development of young players. Many have come through to the senior sides and it just shows how important that this part of any cricket club is.

Farnsfield possess one of the finest grounds in local league cricket and the wicket is such that if you don’t want to get out, there is no earthly reason why you should. They have an excellent pavilion and superb clubhouse and like Attenborough they should prove to be an asset to the Premier League.

They have several youth sides and this season have consistently turned out with six players under the age of 20 in their Championship winning side. This has to be the way forward and both sides taking part deserve the congratulations for pinning their hopes on a sound youthful footing.

One sad aspect about Saturday’s game is that the two overseas players both of whom were South Africans have now gone back home. Chris Woods of Attenborough who has fitted in well with his side and Damion Crowley the young wicket keeper batsman of Farnsfield will be missed, but there are still enough good players on either side to make up for their loss.

The two teams for the match are as follows. Attenborough will be represented from Andrew Simkiss (captain), Peter Turner (Wkt.), Alec McKinlay, Ben Shepherd, Dominic Harvey, Tom Murray, Chris Allcoat, Martin Shoemaker, Arjun Singh, Craig Heiden, Tom Buckley and Matt Brick.

Farnsfield’s side is expected to be, Paul Franks (captain), Gary Wilson (Wkt.), Paul Delaney, Andy Edwards, Brett Hutton, Sam Wood, James Smith, Michael Bell, Neil Sharp, Alistair Haynes and Lewis Saxby.

The match as previously stated starts at 12.30 p.m. and the umpires will be Phil Johnson (South Nottinghamshire League) and Paul Barker (Bassetlaw League). Everyone is invited to come along and use the superb facilities that the ground offers and a good game of cricket would appear to be a certainty.

The bar will be open throughout the match and tea and coffee will also be available. Snacks can also be purchased so a great day is certainly at Sookholme Lane for the last showpiece in the local cricket calendar.