Retford tighten grip
by Paul Barker, 17th August 2003

Although strange things can happen in the game of cricket it will take a major miracle to prevent Retford from reclaiming the title which they last won in 2001.

Saturday’s game at Killamarsh wasn’t the easiest they have faced all season and had it not been for one of the finest knocks seen in Division 1 this season by Nigel Hall who made an incredible unbeaten 90 out of a fifty overs total of 178 for 8, one wonders how few they would have scored. The amazing thing about Hall’s innings was that he was the only player to record double figures as Steve Ludlam in particular tore through some pretty insipid batting to take 3 for 49.

As it turned out this modest total proved to be enough as Killamarsh were bowled out for just 151. Australian Andrew Hagnhofer who has scored runs consistently of late made 33 but lacked support in his quest to pull off a famous victory. Extras were the next top scorer with a mammoth 32 being recorded whilst Sam Shepherd (3 for 44) was the pick of a tidy Retford attack as another maximum points haul was added to their total.

Arnold still foster lingering hopes of coming with a run on the blind side but they seem to be fading fast and Saturday’s drawn match at home to Farnsfield saw them drop a further three points behind Retford which they just cannot afford at this stage of the season.

Batting first Arnold made an all out score of 215 which was thanks in no small way to Richard Bostock who had the heartbreaking experience of getting out for 99. Left arm slow bowler Keith Miller bowled splendidly for Farnsfield to take 7 for 44 in a magnificent stint.

This total turned out to be more than adequate however as Farnsfield closed on 164 for 8 with fine efforts being recorded by Glyn Edwards (49) and Keith Miller (32) who enjoyed a fine all round game. Rick Peacock was once again the main threat in the Arnold attack taking 3 for 24 in a season which he must be hoping never ends.

Cutthorpe came out of the blocks at an incredible pace with Asadullah Butt having Richard Robinson caught at point off the very first ball of the match. This was to be their only success for quite some time though as Wayne Harrison battled superbly in making a magnificent 61 and Dave Waller added exactly 100 runs for the second wicket.

This proved to be the last hurrah for Wheatley who look condemned to relegation and Cutthorpe simply sliced through them like a knife through butter with only another 37 runs added. Asadullah Butt claimed 3 for 59, but the real hero was Andy Pierrepont who despite not being 100% fit bowled magnificently to take 7 for 45 in a brilliant spell of accurate bowling.

The 137 run target was never going to enough and Andy Thompson set off like an express train making a superb 52 before playing on to Wheatley skipper Jamie Bovill. Asadullah Butt (49 n.o.) completed the carnage as Cutthorpe won by seven wickets virtually as they pleased.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills and Thoresby Colliery played out a full dress rehearsal of their Tomlin Trophy semi final encounter and if that match is as exciting as this one nobody will want to miss it. Batting first Hosiery Mills powered their way to an impressive 256 for 5 with Dave Loveridge (74) and Asela Jayasinghe (52) batting brilliantly as runs flowed from the bat.

Great support came from Jeff Appleton (39 n.o.) and Jonathan Best (37) as the runs piled up at a furious pace. The Thoresby attack came in for heavy punishment but Shailesh Patel 4 for 59 bowled superbly and deserved his excellent figures.

This huge target failed to frighten the Thoresby side and they carried the fight to Hosiery Mills in some style with Nigel Burkitt (76), Daniel Nash (53) and Paul Hughes (46) all batting superbly. This good work was carried on by Shailesh Patel (33) as Thoresby looked like achieving the impossible but it was not to be as Jayasinghe completed a splendid personal match for himself taking 6 for 40 in a storming spell that saw Thoresby close on a highly creditable 235 for 8 to gain a losing draw.

Bolsover are in a tremendous run at the moment and gained another maximum points haul this time at the expense of Cuckney. Batting first Cuckney were bowled out for 199 with Aron Thomas (42) and Matt Sangar (49) top scoring. All the Bolsover attack bowled well with skipper Charlie Walker bagging 3 for 53, Tariq Rashid (4 for 53) and left armer Steve Wooley 3 for 49.

For once Tariq Rashid didn’t set the world on fire with the bat but Bolsover showed what a massive improvement they have made this season in all departments. Chris Cowley led the way with 50 and other fine contributions came from Eddie Grant (37) and Marcus Hindle (33) as Bolsover reached 200 for the loss of eight wickets. Andy Stephenson (3 for 39) and Bavish Patel (3 for 35) bowled well but it was not enough to turn the game and Bolsover continue to confound the critics.

Kiveton Park kept their good form going with a hard fought winning draw over Glapwell. Batting first Kiveton reached a useful 216 for 8 total with Richard Grainger (32) and the brilliant Adam Burgess making a superb unbeaten 90. Gary Saxby bowled his usual tidy spell for Glapwell taking a well deserved 4 for 71.

Glapwell who are fighting for their lives did not take this lying down and made a creditable 188 for 7 before running out of time. Rob Davison (64), Nick Truswell (36) and Lee Topham (32) all batted well but the wiles of the young Australian Matthew Williams (4 for 51) steadied the run rate and made sure Kiveton took the majority of the points.

Division 2 leaders Edwinstowe seem to have gotten themselves an attack of the wobbles and suffered their second defeat in the last three matches as they went down heavily by eight wickets to a Marshalls side who seem to have thrown their chance of promotion away with their mid season slump.

They were right up for this one though and in particular Mark Davies who took 5 for 61 and limited Edwinstowe to 174 for 9. Australian Garth Brown (31), John Garnham (35) and Andy Tebbett (56) all batted well, but Marshalls seemed supremely confident at the half way stage.

This proved certainly to be the case and Kevin Housham (72) and Tim Down (70) saw Marshalls coast home by eight wickets on 175 for 2 which was a staggering victory. Edwinstowe still look clear favourites because Marshalls and N.S.K. must keep winning whilst they have to completely collapse but they must hold their nerve before serious damage is done.

Worksop cruised to the position which most people expected them to be in, top of the table with an easy six wicket win over neighbours Anston. Batting first Anston were skittled out for just 117 with only Michael Norbury 31 resisting a Worksop attack in which Paul Burton (4 for 51) was outstanding.

This target proved to be simplicity itself as Worksop roared to 118 for 4 to win by six wickets. Nigel Turner (34 n.o.) and Luke Ambrose (30 n.o.) applied the coup de grace as Worksop picked up another maximum.

N.S.K. managed a winning draw which took them nearer the top two and plunged Ashover deeper into the relegation mire. Batting first N.S.K. were thankful to Ian Sellars who made a quite super 84 out of a 46 over total of 162 for 5 with Charlie Gwillim being the best of the Ashover attack with 4 for 78.

This target proved more than adequate as Ashover were holding on desperately on 117 for 8 and their game against the other threatened side Blyth takes on even greater importance next Saturday.

Biwater Clay Cross who have been in excellent form of late suffered a crushing ten wicket defeat at the hands of Whitwell. Biwater looked to be well short of the total required when they were bowled out for just 169 with only skipper Martin Leatherday (44) showing any application in a poor batting display. Nathan Morris (3 for 74) and Andy Shaw (3 for 37) did the damage for a buoyant Whitwell attack.

The reply was even more emphatic as South African Michael Alexander (105 n.o.) and Alan Draycott (60 n.o.) saw off any potential banana skins with ease as Whitwell cruised to an impressive win.

The match of the day was held at Eckington and in the end resulted in joy for the home side and heartbreak for visitors Blyth who came so close to banishing their relegation blues. Batting first Eckington made 247 for 6 and were indebted to a magnificent 101 by Andy Davies and a fine 55 from skipper Simon Emson. The talented left arm bowler John Smith was the best of the Blyth attack taking 3 for 34 in a superb spell.

Facing this huge total Blyth were far from overawed with Geoff Chessman making a brilliant 94 and Pete Jones 66 as they scored 246 for 7 and failed by just two runs to gain victory. Their match against Ashover next week is now a massive one and the winner will hold a decisive advantage going in to the last few matches.

Bottom club Everton are still fighting hard but look to have little chance of saving themselves. They easily saw off the challenge of Pilsley by 92 runs and had they played to this potential earlier things may well have been very different.

Batting first Everton made 205 for 7 with Rob Nicholas making a tremendous 96, Sas Kar (44), and John Shaw (50 n.o.) whilst Dave Schofield was the best of the Pilsley attack with 4 for 83.

This target was much too much for Pilsley who were bowled out for just 113. Only Chris Worthy (31) defied the Everton attack in which Andy Snell (4 for 33) and Neil Waghorne (3 for 34) were very impressive.