Cutthorpe gain ground
by Paul Barker, 20th July 2003

In the match between the two giants of Bassetlaw League cricket at the moment, Cutthorpe gained the result they needed when they managed a winning draw over leaders Retford in a match that could have swung either way on several occasions.

Batting first Chris Marples (32) and Andy Thompson blazed the home side away to a good start, before both were dismissed virtually together but this was followed by a patient and vital stand between Nigel Kingham (48) and Asadullah Butt (52) which again put the home side in command.

However when these two were dismissed a collapse of epic proportions took place and four more wickets fell in a procession back to the pavilion with the final score on 209 for 8 after 50 eventful overs. John McCollum also made a vital late contribution to the Cutthorpe cause with some lusty blows which sent the total rocketing upwards in fine style.

Steve Randall (4 for 55) bowled superbly throughout 19 steady overs and Paul Singleton also bowled superbly to take two vital wickets.

In reply the normally free flowing Steve Musgrove and Pascal Broadley were tied down by some excellent bowling from Asadullah Butt and Andy Pierrepont and some very astute field placing. When Musgrove was out to a superb catch in the deep by Nigel Kingham, Broadley and Henderson Jordan tried to lift the pace but it proved extremely hard work.

A good fourth wicket stand by Steve Randall (35) and Nigel Hall (38 n.o.) gave Retford hope but when the former skied a return chance to Andy Knowles the target was becoming more and more unlikely and Retford had to be content with seven points from a losing draw closing on 165 for 6 which closes the gap between the two sides to 24 points and Cutthorpe have a match in hand!

Andy Knowles bowled brilliantly for Cutthorpe in a vital spell to take 5 for 43 in a good match and the return fixture at Retford on August 9th now takes on even further importance and will go a long way to deciding who will lift the title.

Arnold keep plugging away in second place but had to settle for a losing draw against Hosiery Mills which did their title hopes little good. Batting first Hosiery Mills were thankful to skipper Mark Langford for a swashbuckling 79 as his side were bowled out for 174. Justin Foss (4 for 71) and Ian Flood (4 for 49) bowled quite superbly for Arnold who must have fancied their chances at half way,

It was not to be however and despite excellent knocks from skipper Andy Hobbs (44), Ian Flood (31) and Justin Foss (36) the Hosiery Mills attack spearheaded by Arnold old boy Nolan McKenzie (3 for 59) took a tight grip on affairs and they finished just two runs short on 172 for 8 in a desperate finish.

Thoresby Colliery ended Bolsover recent good run of form with a comprehensive eight wicket win at Edwinstowe. Batting first Bolsover were fired out for a miserable 136 with only Tariq Rashid (36) providing any resistance to Ben Winslade (3 for 23), Shailesh Patel (3 for 32) and Daniel Nash (3 for 24) who totally wrecked their innings.

This target was reached easily with Daniel Nash completing a fine all round match with 35 runs and the consistent Paul Hughes registering a fine unbeaten 50 with the winning hit.

Glapwell who had sagged to the bottom of the table came back in fine style to beat Farnsfield by 30 runs at Park Avenue. Batting first Glapwell reached a respectable 172 all out with Matthew Hall top scoring with a superb 76 and Andy Smith provide excellent support with 36. Phil Creswell (3 for 48) and John Musgrove (5 for 40) bowled extremely well for Farnsfield.

The target looked achievable but Farnsfield simply fell apart at the seams and were dismissed for just 142. When one considers that Phil Creswell (35) and Andy Edwards (64) contributed 99 runs between them it can only be described as a rather poor effort by the Farnsfield batsmen.

That is not to say that the Glapwell attack didn't bowl superbly because they did with Matt Hall completing a fine all round match to take 3 for 36, Andy Pick (3 for 22) and Gary Saxby (4 for 49) and a morale boosting win lifted them for the challenge that lies ahead.

Kiveton Park sank North Wheatley further into the mire with a winning draw at Stone Close. Batting first Kiveton reached an impressive 215 for 6 with Andy Marsh making 40, Phil Cooper (52 n.o.) and Lee Brooks (40 n.o.). South African Tiene Marie (3 for 52) was the pick of an overworked Wheatley attack.

Wheatley responded with 171 for 9 with Martin Pring (42), Wayne Ellis (31) and Dan Styring (40) all batting well. Slow bowler Ian Thompson was the best bowler for Kiveton taking 5 for 36 in a very impressive spell.

In the mid table clash at Killamarsh the home side were put to the sword by a rampant Cuckney batting line-up that yielded the mammoth total of 280 for 4 in their fifty overs. This was due in no small part to a magnificent 116 from Bilal Shafayet and a tremendous knock of 80 by Aron Thomas. Bavesh Patel added a further 50 whilst Steve Ludlam bowled well under the tremendous onslaught to take 2 for 50.

Killamarsh never looked likely to attain that total and were bowled out for 162 with Australian Andrew Hagnhofer making 44 and David Allen contributing the same score. Other than that nobody could cope with Matt Sangar who took 3 for 26 and Bavesh Patel and Andrew Jackman who picked up two wickets each as Cuckney won by 118 runs.

In Division 2, Edwinstowe put in the complete performance to overwhelm improving N.S.K. by a massive 100 runs. Batting first Edwinstowe's prolific run scorer Australian Garth Brown made a brilliant 97 and was superbly supported by Dave Hallam (33), Ian Smith (33) and Pete Baggulay (32) as they racked up a huge total of 249 for 5 in their 46 overs.

N.S.K. could get nowhere near this and capitulated to 139 all out with Ian Sellars top scoring on 44. Brett Hallam with 4 for 35 was the pick of the Edwinstowe attack in which everyone played a prominent part.

Worksop continue in second place after a hard fought win over Eckington who can be a match for anyone when they are at their best. Batting first Eckington reached an unflattering 147 for 8 in their overs with Tom Dawson (31) and Simon Emson (45) leading the charge. Simon Robson (4 for 36) again led the way for Worksop and bowled with great hostility and fire. He was well backed up by Paul Burton who took 3 for 37 and bowled with great guile and accuracy.

This target proved troublesome for the talented Worksop batting line-up and seven wickets were down before victory was achieved at 151 for 7. Steve Walker (39) and Luke Ambrose (33 n.o.) were the batting heroes whilst Wayne Dye bowled superbly to take 3 for 36 for Eckington.

Marshalls emerged from the bad run of form they had slipped into recently but couldn't manage a maximum which was so badly needed. Batting first against improving Ashover Marshalls made an impressive 225 for 2 before declaring with the two Australians Tim Down making a brilliant 106 and great support came from Paul Van den Heuval (64) who helped him to achieve this.

Ashover never looked like threatening this total and were desperately hanging on at 123 for 9 at the close with Mark Davies bowling splendidly to take 4 for 29. Marshalls however could have done with the two extra points but have served notice that they are back on the ball and need watching every step of the way.

Biwater Clay Cross continued their impressive form of late with a ridiculously easy triumph over neighbours Pilsley. Batting first Pilsley were dismissed for a paltry 77 with Stuart Brown taking 6 for 21 in a mightily impressive spell.

This target was never likely to trouble Clay Cross and Christian Pratt literally slayed the Pilsley attack with a scintillating 51 as his side won comprehensively with six wickets to spare.

Whitwell and Anston produced a remarkable match for many reasons. For one it was a well fought even contested encounter, and secondly it had an hurricane century which will take some beating as the most entertaining knock seen in the league this season included in it.

Batting first Whitwell, were well served in a total of 205 for 9 by South African Michael Alexander (54) and Dave Standen who made a superb unbeaten 63. Ian Canning (3 for 84), Akilesh Rana (3 for 33) and the impressive Andrew Ruczenczyn (3 for 66) bowled extremely well for Anston but it was nowhere near the last we would hear of the unpronounceable Anston player's name during the day.

After losing early wickets Whitwell must certainly have fancied the job but that was to change dramatically as John Lyne (30) and Andrew Ruczenczyn came together. Off only 64 balls received the incredible Ruczenczyn smashed a brilliant unbeaten 108 with 11 fours and 8 sixes included in a knock of massive proportions which took his side to a magnificent win by six wickets at 206 for 4.

Bottom of the table Blyth at last showed the form everyone knows they are capable of, taking a maximum against fellow strugglers Everton. Batting first Blyth made a modest 178 all out with Greg Wilcox top scoring on 50. Andrew Snell was the best of the Everton attack taking 3 for 41 in a tremendous spell of bowling.

Everton couldn't cope with this however and were dismissed for just 147. Only Neil Waghorne (43) defied the excellent bowling of the brilliant young left armer John Smith (3 for 25) and veteran Steve Howe (3 for 35) as Blyth ran out winners by 31 runs. This is the sort of form that Blyth are capable of and if they can perform consistently they can still get out of trouble but it is going to be a long hard haul for them to do so.