Kiveton shake Cutthorpe
by Paul Barker, 15th June 2003

After a very good start to the season Mansfield Hosiery Mills showed their irritating inconsistency as they slumped to a 25 run win over Killamarsh on Saturday. Hosiery Mills showed this kind of form last term after being well touted for honours and must be worried even after some more extensive strengthening in the close season which gave critics the thought that things would be much better this time around.

That is not to take anything away from Killamarsh who put in a cracking performance and fully deserved their success. Owing to the reason weather conditions the wicket was a little on the awkward side, but any side prepared to graft was likely to gain full reward for what they did and Killamarsh certainly did just that.

Batting first they must have feared the worst as Hosiery Mills fired them all out for just 89 with only Rob Carlisle (36) making any progress against Jonathan Best (4 for 29) and Nolan McKenzie (4 for 16). McKenzie was then the Hosiery Mills batting star making 29 whilst nobody else could manage any more than a rather miserable eight runs! Dave Barton (3 for 33) and Peter Allen (2 for 6) bowled superbly but the real hero was Lee Bradbury who was almost unplayable as he took 5 for 14 as Hosiery Mills were dismissed for a pathetic 64 runs.

Killamarsh look to be following a similar trend to last season where they beat all the top sides. They inflicted one of only two defeats on champions Cutthorpe and went mighty close to completing the double over them. The only problem is they seem to have difficulty with average mundane fixtures against sides they should blow away, but the top sides had better beware, they have a liking for you as the Hosiery Mills found out on Saturday. You have been warned!

Cutthorpe were probably unlucky that the light prevented them from bowling flat out for the last two overs with Arnold about to succumb on 140 for 9. Batting first Cutthorpe rattled along at a fierce pace to reach 259 for 7 with a second century of the season from Chris Marples who bludgeoned 110 in an impressive stay at the crease. Nigel Kingham added 66 whilst Andy Rann was Arnold’s best bowler taking 3 for 70.

Arnold never really looked in contention and only a fine knock by Ian Flood (75) saved them from almost certain defeat. Andy Pierrepont (4 for 48) and Asadullah Butt (3 for 38) were extremely impressive until the light intervened with the last pair at the crease.

Retford posted a massive 275 for 7 with skipper Steve Musgrove making a brilliant 100 and excellent support came from Pascal Broadley with 76. Opponents Cuckney were in all sorts of trouble at 158 for 7 and staring down the barrel of gun when the rain intervened. Australian Greg Hunt made 53 and probably saved his side from certain defeat.

Glapwell were in major difficulties against North Wheatley at 100 for 9 with Dean Graney (31) battling well and Rob Hackney (5 for 39) making life very difficult for them when rain put paid to any more play.

Kiveton Park batted much better than before with Adam Burgess (31), Australian Matthew Williams (52) skipper Rob Coxon (36) and Andrew Marsh (39) all contributing to a final total of 208 for 6 at Farnsfield. The home side were looking rather tasty however on 87 for 1 with Andrew Edwards moving along with menacing intentions on 39 n.o. when once again rain put paid to any hopes of a finish.

The highest individual score of the day and a welcome resurgence of form for Bolsover came from Tariq Rashid who blasted a brilliant 168 out of a fine team total of 285 for 8 against early pace setters Thoresby Colliery. Saylesh Patel was the pick of the overworked Thoresby attack taking 3 for 124 as Bolsover thrashed the bowling to every part of the ground.

In reply Thoresby were moving along well on 83 for 1 when rain once again intervened. Paul Hughes (48 n.o.) looked in fine form and even with a score like the one they achieved Bolsover could not have guaranteed it would have been enough.

In Division 2 Blyth must have been disappointed with their batting display when they were bowled out for just 117 by Eckington after Mark Ambrose (42) and Andy Barthorpe (31) had contributed 73 runs between them. Simon Emson (4 for 39) and Ian Thompson (4 for 26) were the pick of an impressive Eckington attack. Eckington then knocked off the necessary runs with Tom Dawson (36) leading the charge to a five wicket win.

Edwinstowe moved to the top of Division 2 with a comfortable eight wicket success over Anston. Only Andy Ruczenczyn made any impact with 28 as Anston were dismissed for just 94. Australian Garth Brown captured 3 for 8 as the Anston innings simply folded. Edwinstowe cruised to a comfortable win with Brown completing a fine all round show with an unbeaten 36 as they reached 97 for 2 to take the maximum points.

Everton registered a winning draw against Biwater Clay Cross thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 107 by John Mimms who was well supported by John Waghorne (40) as their side reached 209 for 8.

Clay Cross made a good dart at this total reaching 180 for 9 when the overs ran out. Michael Bradley (45), Rob Turner (33) and Geoff Turner (33 n.o.) all batted well but a great spell of bowling by Andrew Snell (6 for 56) saw Everton just thwarted from an outright win by the last pair.

Nigel Murray made a superb 79 for N.S.K. as they totaled 217 all out against Whitwell. Dave Jessop (58) batted extremely well for Whitwell and Pete Lambert (3 for 22) was the pick of the N.S.K. attack as Whitwell struggled to 138 for 7 when rain intervened.

Worksop certainly seemed to have had victory snatched from them due to the weather against Ashover at Central Avenue. Jamil Hassan (89 n.o.), Glen Pym (59) and Tim Ward (52 n.o.) all helped Worksop accumulate 218 for 2, before Ashover disintegrated to 88 for 7 when rain struck once again.

Marshalls made a respectable 190 for 6 against Pilsley with Australian import Tim Down making an unbeaten 53 out of a final total of 190 for 6 with Michael Thompson being the best of the Pilsley bowlers with a creditable 3 for 19. Despite losing an early wicket, Pilsley looked well on their way at 39 for 1 with the dangerous Saed Bin Nasir racing to a not out 33 before rain took its toll and the match ended prematurely.