Hosiery Mills on top in classic encounter
by Paul Barker, 27th April 2003

It would be very easy to use loquacious adjectives, but the first match of the season for Mansfield Hosiery Mills and champions Cutthorpe will surely go down amongst the matches of the season even at this early stage.

Batting first Hosiery Mills put the Cutthorpe attack to the sword as they reached a staggering 270 for 9 in their 50 overs with contributions coming all round from the top order batsmen. Dave Loveridge top scored with 74 and excellent support was gleaned from Andrew Biggin (47), James Bennett (53) and Nolan McKenzie (40) as Hosiery Mills ran riot.

Andrew Pierrepont bore the brunt of the attack with Paksitani star Asadullah Butt not being available and took 5 for 88 from a long spell. Nigel Kingham gave good support taking 3 for 75 in a good stint.

Anyone thinking this score would be good enough had failed to take into account Cutthorpe's batting strength and Chris Marples absolutely massacred the Hosiery Mills attack to the tune of 124 as Cutthorpe put victory into their reach. However with the winning post in sight the champions faltered despite the efforts of Ian Cratchley (32) and John McCollum (31) and they finished just 11 runs short on 259 for 9. Nolan McKenzie who has joined Hosiery Mills as Cricket Development Officer showed what a prize asset he is taking 4 for 41 in a breathtaking all round display. There is a long way to go, but if this is the standard of cricket we are going to get throughout the season, roll on next week, we can hardly wait!

Retford who were relegated from the Nottinghamshire Premier League showed what a menacing threat they are likely to be as they brushed aside the challenge of Kiveton Park by seven wickets. Paul Singleton (5 for 34) and Steve Randall (4 for 13) bowled out Kiveton for just 78 and this total proved way below what was needed as Retford and Pascal Broadley in particular with an unbeaten 31, saw their side cruise home with comfort.

Farnsfield made a very good start to the season scoring 210 for 6 against Glapwell. Mike Hodgkin (48) and Andrew Edwards (58) batted well whilst Gary Saxby (3 for 55) was the pick of the Glapwell attack.

In reply Glapwell reached 100 for 4 with New Zealand star Andy Smith making a good 59. However at this stage another New Zealander Mark Silcock (6 for 33) and John Musgrove (3 for 8) took over and only another 18 runs were scored before Glapwell were bowled out as Farnsfield picked up a maximum points haul

Killamarsh who had a good second half of the season saw their form of early last season come back to haunt them against Thoresby Colliery. Had it not been for a superb 55 by David Allen Killamarsh would have be4en in even worse trouble and as it was they were bowled out for just 107 with New Zealander Ben Winslade taking 5 for 42. Thoresby had no difficulty knocking off this meagre total for the loss of just three wickets with Australian recruit Daniel Nash making an unbeaten 29.

Cuckney who had strengthened their side considerably made a poor start against a useful looking Arnold side. Batting first Cuckney made 191 for 6 with Jason Lucas scoring an unbeaten 51 and Aaron Thomas (44) whilst slow bowler Andy Rann was the pick of the Arnold attack with 2 for 40. This total was passed by the visitors with new recruit Richard Bostock from Eckington making a majestic 95 and Don Leiper adding 49 as Arnold totaled 192 for 6. Only Gavin Johnson (2 for 46) posed much threat as Arnold coasted to a comfortable win.

The battle of the two promoted sides saw North Wheatley simply steamroll over Bolsover. Batting first Bolsover were dismissed for just 76 with Steve Wilcox (3 for 14) and Ashley Wright (3 for 24) causing havoc amongst their ranks. Wheatley quickly knocked off the required runs for the loss of just one wicket which took place when the scores were level. Wayne Harrison (43) and Dave Waller (31 n.o.) were the batsman in form as North Wheatley took maximum points by nine wickets.

A fine spectacle at Clay Cross saw Eckington register a winning draw over the home side in a good battle. Eckington recovered well from 3 for 2 to reach 221 for 6 with Mark Bridgeman (41), Simon Emson (87) and Jon Dyson (63 n.o.) leading the Eckington assault. Stuart Brown with 4 for 57 was the best of the Clay Cross attack. In reply Steve Cracknell and a glorious knock of 51 by Christian Pratt saw Clay Cross in with a chance but a middle order collapse saw the victory bid put on hold. However skipper Mark Leatherday (34 n.o.) calmly saw them through to 189 for 8 in a good contest played on an excellent wicket.

Blyth who were in with a chance of promotion last season before the wheels explicably fell off were back to their better form as they ground out a winning draw over promoted N.S.K. Blyth scored 149 for 8 mainly due to university student Richard Wild who made a sparkling unbeaten 73, with good support coming from Martin Court with 35. Gary Lambert (4 for 33) and Ian Sellars (3 for 37) were the pick of an accurate N.S.K. attack. In reply despite Peter Lichfield (36) and Nigel Murray (31) N.S.K. could only muster 108 for 7 which was due in no small way to the brilliant Richard Wild who captured 5 for 18 to add to his performance with the bat in a fine all round display.

Worksop who were relegated last season look to have a much better side than was available to them last season and must have a good chance of regaining their chance in the top flight at the first attempt. Batting first at Everton they scored an impressive 214 for 4 with Jamil Hassan (63), Steve Walker (61) and Glen Pym 52 n.o.) piling up the runs. Everton could not cope with this total and were bowled out for just 98 with only John Waghorne (35) making much impression. Paul Burton made an impressive return for Worksop from Retford taking 4 for 8 as his side ran out winners by 116 runs.

Marshalls won their opening encounter with Anston by 100 runs and look forward to a better season than they had last term. Paul Van den Heuval made a brilliant unbeaten 97 and Graham Tweed took 5 for 41 as Marshalls were restricted to 159 for 8 by some tight Anston bowling. This proved far too good however as Anston were dismissed for just 59 with Matt Housham (5 for 17) and Mark Davies (4 for 26) sliced through some indifferent batting to give Marshalls a maximum points haul.

Edwinstowe managed a narrow winning draw over promoted Pilsley and must still be wondering how they managed it. Edwinstowe were bowled out for just 143 with Paul Benson (48 n.o.), Ian Smith (31) and Australian Garth Brown (33) all batting well. Ian Worthy (5 for 13) and Saed Bin Nasir (3 for 10) both bowled well for Pilsley.

The target looked well within Pilsley's reach whilst run machine Saed Bin Nasir (62) was at the crease but when he had gone things changed around dramatically and the finished four runs short with nine wickets down. Ian Smith completed a good all round match taking 4 for 36, as Edwinstowe showed that they certainly don't lack fight in a tight position.

Ashover who narrowly missed out on promotion lost in the shock result of the day to Whitwell by four wickets. Batting first Ashover reached 210 all out with good contributions from Andy Walker (60) and Russell Cooke (40) whilst Darren Westerby took 3 for 46 in a tidy spell. This proved no were near good enough as Whitwell reached their target with four wickets to spare. South African import Michael Alexander scored a brilliant 121 and although Roger Bolstridge (3 for 88) and Ian King (3 for 40) toiled well they could do little to stem Whitwell's march to victory.