Retford beat Bolsover and the weather
by Paul Barker, 18th May 2003

On a day when the weather topped the bill virtually everywhere, Retford made their dominance count as they annihilated Bolsover by nine wickets in double quick time at Cricket Field Lane.

Batting first Bolsover had no answer to Pascal Broadley who proved to be virtually unplayable as he took 5 for 29 in a sensational spell of bowling. Bolsover were dismissed for just 68 but with the rain clouds threatening their was no time to waste and despite losing an early wicket Henderson Jordan (34 n.o.) and that man Broadley (30 n.o.) took Retford to a vital maximum points haul.

Champions Cutthorpe looked well placed at 149 for 2 with 20 overs remaining when the rain put paid to any further adventures at the Recreation Ground. Andrew Thompson (35) and Nigel Kingham (71 n.o.) both batted well particularly the latter but both had survived a life with difficult catches being grounded when their innings were in their infancy.

Matthew Cluer (21 n.o.) was Kingham’s partner as the match ended prematurely and Nick Trusswell and Gary Saxby bagged a wicket each for a spirited Glapwell side.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills looked well on their way to recovery after last week’s hammering by Killamarsh and had reached an impressive 84 for 1 against league leaders Arnold when rain intervened. Dave Loveridge (37 n.o.) and Jonathan Smaill (29 n.o.) both looked extremely comfortable for the Hosiery Mills whilst Rick Peacock had captured the only wicket to fall at a cost of 26 runs.

North Wheatley introduced their new South African import Tine Maree and he had success in his very first over at Killamarsh when he dismissed Rob Carlisle without troubling the scorers. Not much more play was possible before a halt was called with Sam Malpass (16 n.o.) and skipper Mark Bull (16 n.o.) safely negotiating Killamarsh through to 36 for 1 when rain intervened.

Thoresby Colliery were again showing the massive improvement in form they have produced this season as they reached 87 for 1 against Farnsfield. Paul Hughes (49 n.o.) and Australian Daniel Nash (18 n.o.) looked in fine form before rain again had the final say.

In Division 2 an incredible match at Blyth saw a meagre 117 runs scored and twenty wickets fall as the home side completed a 17 run win over league leaders Edwinstowe. Batting first Blyth were in serious trouble from the word go with only Geoff Chessman (28) and Martin Court (23) saving them from complete disaster. They were finally bowled out for a paltry 67 runs with Andy Dent (6 for 25) and Ally Rhodes (3 for 40) inflicting major damage.

However any thoughts that this target was going to be easy was quickly extinguished as Blyth simply ran through some rather frail resistance and dismissed Edwinstowe for just 50 runs! Andy Tebbett top scored with just 16 as Andy Barthorpe (5 for 25) and Steve Howe (4 for 23) sliced through them like a knife through butter to give their side a most improbable victory.

Everton and Whitwell fought out a very interesting dual and when the weather put paid to further activities the result was in the balance and could have swung either way. Batting first Everton’s Jonathan Mimms clocked up his second consecutive century scoring 112 out of a total of 187 for 7. Good support came from Bob Mimms with 31 whilst Richard Haslam was the pick of the Whitwell attack taking 3 for 41.

In reply Whitwell had reached 144 for 4 with South African star Michael Alexander continuing his good run of form scoring 53 with Alan Draycott also adding a useful 25. Once again it was difficult to predict the outcome with a case being made for both sides.

Good batting by Andy Davies (52) and Tom Dawson (40) helped Eckington reach a declared total of 181 for 7 against Pilsley. Michael Thompson bowled tidily for Pilsley to take 3 for 34, who started off like an express train making 29 for 1 with Pakistani run machine Saed Bin Nasir looking in threatening form with an unbeaten 25 when once again rain interfered.