Retford beat the heat and Cutthorpe
by Paul Barker, 10th August 2003

In a complete reversal of last week’s cup disaster Retford totally pulverised Cutthorpe at Cricket Field Lane to virtually put their name on the Championship trophy for this season.

One would have expected a close game after Cutthorpe had administered an eight wicket defeat on Retford in the Tomlin Trophy but it was not to be as the home side showed their best form and triumphed by nine wickets with almost twelve overs to spare.

Batting first Cutthorpe never got out of the blocks after a promising start which saw Chris Marples (57) and Andy Thompson (57) both looking in excellent form. This was mainly due to Steve Randall who bowled a terrific spell to gather the figures 0f 4 for 50 from an all out Cutthorpe total of 168.

This target proved no obstacle to Retford who virtually won as they pleased with Pascal Broadley (62 n.o.) Steve Musgrove (48) and Steve Randall (48 n.o.) in the most destructive mood and giving the Cutthorpe bowling a hammering the likes of which is seen extremely occasionally.

Retford now look set up for a quick return to the Premier League and one would have to say they can only lose it themselves. At the moment they look practically unbeatable and it is going to take a performance of immense statue to dispel that theory.

Two incredible performances took place in the sweltering heat at Glapwell and Fourth Avenue, Edwinstowe the home ground of Thoresby Colliery. At Glapwell the incredible form of Bolsover’s Pakistani star Tariq Rashid continued as he completed his fifth league century of the season with a brilliant unbeaten 151 out of a massive total of 278 for 8.

Rashid batted throughout the 50 overs and received good support from Eddie Grant (47) and Norman Dolling (32) as Bolsover piled on the agony as the Glapwell side wilted in unbearable conditions. Facing a total of this magnitude, Glapwell needed a good start and quite simply they didn’t get it as wickets fell at regular intervals to have them struggling badly.

A great effort by Dean Graney (54) plus good support down the order from Nick Bircumshaw and Andy Pick with a swashbuckling unbeaten 46 saw Glapwell pick up maximum batting points at 201 for 8, something which had looked highly unlikely halfway through the innings.

At Fourth Avenue the prodigious talent of the young left hander Adam Burgess produced a similar feat as he batted throughout to reach an unbeaten 107 out of a Kiveton total of 231 for 3. Burgess collapsed at one stage due to the heat but recovered to record a magnificent century and he received fine support from Richard Spurr who made an unbeaten 49.

In reply Thoresby put up a good fight with Paul Hughes making 42 and Kiwi Ben Winslade a brilliant unbeaten 76 as they failed by just 35 runs and were bowled out for 196. Kyle McKeenan captured 3 for 42 and Australian Matt Williams bagged 4 for 54 in another match which saw a complete reversal of the form showed in last week’s Tomlin Trophy match where Thoresby were the victors.

Farnsfield received a much needed boost as they claimed a winning draw over Cuckney and picked up 17 most valuable points. Batting first Farnsfield showed the form that most good judges think they are capable of making a daunting 253 for 4 with James Bennett top scoring on 82. Dave Tilbury (53 n.o.) and Keith Miller (38 n.o.) added excellent support as the Cuckney attack floundered in the heat.

This target proved a bridge too far for Cuckney although they held on fairly comfortably at the end on 176 for 7. Matt Sangar (69 n.o.) Bavish Patel (33) and Andrew Jackman (32) all batted well but the huge Farnsfield total always looked too many for them.

Arnold kept up the pressure in second place with a four wicket win over Killamarsh. Batting first Killamarsh were bowled out for 164 and were indebted to Aussie Andrew Hagnhofer (57) and Richard Crabtree (55 n.o.). Another Australian Justin Foss captured 4 for 52 and veteran Rick Peacock added to his ever growing total of wickets with 5 for 64 in another splendid spell for Arnold.

Despite losing six wickets Arnold never looked under serious threat and Ian Flood (59) and Martin Mitchell (34) saw them home in extremely comfortable mode as they reached 165 for 6.

North Wheatley are virtually dead and buried and another heavy defeat by nine wickets at Mansfield Hosiery Mills virtually brought the curtain down on a season they will want to forget. Batting first Wheatley did a little better than usual with James Watmough (40) Richard Robinson (32) and Dave Wilcox (32) all batting well as they reached 152 all out. Nolan McKenzie (3 for 12) and Jonathan Best (3 for 20) were the pick of the Hosiery Mills attack.

This target proved no contest however as Asela Jayasinghe (60 n.o.) and Jonathan Smaill (59 n.o.) saw Hosiery Mills home in style and one wonders if they hadn’t made such a disastrous start to the season where they would be now!

In Division 2 it is very much as you were and nobody seems likely to catch runaways Edwinstowe and Worksop with the match between these two on Saturday 23rd August being paramount as to who takes the title. Leaders Edwinstowe faced a tough assignment at Anston on Saturday but as good sides do they overcame a potential banana skin to win with consummate ease.

Batting first Edwinstowe were once again well served by their prolific run scoring Australian Garth Brown who made an impressive 72 out of a total of 209 for 9. Akilesh Rana bowled well within himself to take 5 for 51 as Anston struggled to stem the scoring rate.

This total proved far too good for Anston although one has to feel sorry for Akilesh Rana who made a fine 52 to add to his prowess with the ball and Michael Norbury also scored a useful 50. However the rest of the side failed dismally and were bowled out for just 152 with Ally Rhodes bowling quite magnificently to take 5 for 19.

Second placed Worksop totally trounced third placed Marshalls who have simply dropped to bits from half way through the season. Batting first Worksop made a useful looking 207 for 8 with Glen Pym top scoring on 54. Mark Davies (3 for 69) and Simon Ogden (3 for 44) were the best of the Marshalls attack.

In reply Marshalls never looked likely to be at the races and were dismissed for a paltry 72 runs. The batting simply never got started and Steve Blagg (3 for 18), Paul Burton (3 for 37) and Steve Ambrose (3 for 13) just bowled them out without anyone threatening a saving innings.

It seems unbelievable how much Marshalls have faded after their good early season form and from looking the best side in the Division they would have now been in relegation trouble had their start not been so good.

N.S.K. have now overtaken them and have moved into third place but nobody is likely to catch the top two. The Newark side have shown very good form after a poor start and they took another maximum points haul from an easy five wicket win over Eckington.

Batting first Eckington were wrecked by the Lamberts with Gary claiming 5 for 36, and Peter 3 for 21 as they were bowled out for just 144. This proved to be no problem for N.S.K. who simply strolled to victory with Joe Smith making a cultured unbeaten 65, and Peter Litchfield 39 in a convincing display.

Whitwell were thankful to skipper Ian Dennis for a fine all round performance in their winning draw over Blyth who could have done with a few more points in their bid to avoid relegation. Batting first Whitwell were dismissed for just 140 with Dennis top scoring on 30 and Andy Barthorpe (3 for 52) and veteran Steve Howe (6 for 40) piling on the agony for Blyth.

This modest total proved enough as Blyth got off to a slow start and then lost wickets chasing the runs. Nobody at any time took command as was needed and Ian Dennis once again showed his all round ability claiming 3 for 25 as Blyth struggled to hold on at 123 for 9 and claim seven precious points.

The batting performance of the day in this Division came from Biwater Clay Cross’s Christian Pratt who made a sensational unbeaten 115 despite being far from 100% fit against Everton who now look certain to be relegated.

Batting first Everton reached a creditable 192 for 8 when the overs ran out with Neil Waghorne (75) and John Waghorne (30) leading the charge. Stuart Brown produced an excellent medium paced bowling spell for Clay Cross to take 3 for 47.

Even this improved performance by Everton made no impression on Biwater as they sailed to a seven wicket win with ease. Christian Pratt as previously stated scored a magnificent unbeaten 115 and great support came from Kevin Walker with a solid 44 as victory was achieved.

The final match in this section saw Ashover slip further into the mire as they went down to a losing draw to near neighbours Pilsley. Batting first Pilsley were dismissed for 191 with Peter Pollard (38) and Michael Thompson (39) batting well against some fine bowling by Roger Bolstridge who delivered the goods with 5 for 67.

Ashover never looked like attaining this total and were struggling on 126 for 8 when the overs ran out. Roger Bolstridge once again showed his all round ability as he scored a superb unbeaten 48 to stave off almost certain defeat.