Are Thoresby a real threat?
by Paul Barker, 5th May 2003

Since finishing third in 1999 Thoresby Colliery have suffered three seasons of mediocre performances but all that could be about to change on the evidence of their opening two matches this season.

On the first weekend of the season they dismissed Killamarsh for just 107 before going on to win by seven wickets and then on Saturday they showed promoted North Wheatley what the big league is all about by dismissing them for a mere 31 runs before going on to win by ten wickets.

Granted they will face better sides, but the signs are good and the confidence built up in these first two matches can do them nothing but good. North Wheatley must have wondered what had hit them as Saylesh Patel sliced through them like a knife through butter to take the incredible figures of seven wickets for just five runs. Extras were comfortably the highest scorer for Wheatley and it was a rich testament to Patel’s accuracy that he clean bowled four of his victims and had the other three out l.b.w!

Of course this meagre target was totally undefendable and Martin Cheshire thrashed a quick unbeaten 25 to make sure there was no chance of the weather intervening. So Thoresby have 40 points out of 40 and will feel very confident. Can it last? Your guess is as good as mine but whenever a side gets off to a start as good as this their confidence is bound to be a mile high and they will believe they can take anybody on.

Arnold are another side who have made their presence felt during the opening two weeks of the season. They quickly whipped out last season’s success side Kiveton Park at Stone Close for just 123 before knocking off the runs without losing a single wicket. Only Richard Grainger with 44 prevented a complete rout as veteran Rick Peacock captured 6 for 45 in an excellent stint of bowling. The target proved no problem to Arnold as Richard Bostock (53 n.o.) and Ally Allcock (68 n.o.) took their side to a very easy victory in quick time.

An interesting match at Retford ended prematurely due to the rain with honours just about even. Batting first Retford reached a respectable 183 for 8 with Pascal Broadley making 70 and Nigel Hall (30) and Eddie Boyes (37) lending good support. Mark Hallam (3 for 37) and Kiwi Mark Silcock (3 for 43) kept a tight rein on things and did a good job for their side. Farnsfield stood at 107 for 5 when bad light drove the players from the field. The final scenario was interesting as Retford needed another couple of wickets whilst a good partnership for Farnsfield and who knows what might have happened!

Bolsover and Mansfield Hosiery Mills managed half of their overs with the former making a rather laborious 116 for 8 in not the best of conditions. The light was failing fast and Hosiery Mills were forced to rely upon their slow bowlers for the break through but Bolsover stood firm. Norman Dolling top scored with 21, whilst Andrew Biggin, Nolan McKenzie and Bill Frodsham all grabbed a brace of wickets each. Heavy rain made sure the match ended then.

Another interesting match at Park Avenue,Glapwell was finally thwarted by the rain with numerous results possible. Phil Matthews and Stuart Hall both scored 22 for Glapwell as they finished their innings on 137 for 9 whilst opponents Killamarsh were indebted to Lee Bradbury (4 for 27) and Peter Allen (3 for 28) who both bowled with miserly precision. In reply Killamarsh stood at 51 for 3 with Gary Saxby capturing all three wickets for jus 26 runs. This was another match which was delicately poised and could have gone either way.

In Division 2 Worksop maintained their good start with a winning draw over near neighbours Whitwell. Batting first Worksop clocked up 170 for 6 with Steve Walker (39) and Glen Pym (62) leading the charge. Whitwell were once again well served by their South African import Michael Alexander who made an impressive 46, but with Steve Ambrose (3 for 35) bowling superbly they were limited to 125 for 6 when the overs ran out.

Edwinstowe are another side making early impact and they registered a good home win over Marshalls with four wickets to spare. Batting first Marshalls reached 140 for 6 when the overs ran out with Kevin Housham (32) and Stuart Ogden (40 n.o.) leading from the front.

This total was inadequate however as Edwinstowe produced the goods with Australian Garth Brown (59) and Andy Tebbett (31) both in good form. Mark Davies took 3 for 74 but the runs to defend where simply not enough as Edwinstowe reached their target for the loss of six wickets.

Promoted N.S.K. went down to a heavy six wicket win by Biwater Clay Cross. Only Joe Smith (34) saved them from complete humiliation as they were dismissed for just 79, with Steve Cracknell bagging 4 for 32. It was Cracknell again this time with the bat making 30 and Michael Bradley (28) as Clay Cross stormed to victory.

Eckington batted first in their match against Everton making 158 for 6 with Terrence Pearson their main performer with an unbeaten 60. Darren Sides with 3 for 45 was the best of the Everton attack, which did well to limit the score to what it was. Everton were then put under pressure by the Eckington attack but when rain finished the contest they stood at 83 for 5 with the dangerous Mark Anthony unbeaten on 34 and this was yet another match that could have swung either way.

Blyth had made a good start against Ashover with skipper Martin Court batting well to make 51 and Mark Ambrose looking decidedly menacing on 39 n.o when the rain fell with the score at 90 for 3. Ian King with 2 for 24 was the pick of the Ashover attack when no more play was possible.