Notts Ams favourites for promotion
by Dennis Wright, 7th June 2003

Majid Saeed’s return to Notts. Amateurs in 1B has seen the club stride forward and they are now firm favourites for promotion. His contribution so far has seen him score 2 centuries along with 83 in the league and 91* in the cup.

He was in all round brilliant form at home to Bottesford as Anthony Ablewhite (73) steered Bottesford to 163 with Saeed taking 7/35. In reply Notts Amateurs passed the winning mark for the loss of 4 wkts with Saeed scoring 125.

Best bowling performance of the day was 7/17 by Joshua Holmes away at Ellerslie II who were skittled out for a meagre 34, Gedling Colliery won by 9wkts. East Bridgford in 1F bowled Bestwood Village out for 159 but still lost by 144 runs as they were humiliated to 15 all out.

All change at the top of 1A as Calverton (63/1) demoralised Attenborough (62) and took advantage of leaders Gedling Colliery’s (144) loss at home to Plumtree (196). Loughborough Carillon (242/3) moved into 2nd Place as they beat Long Eaton (134). Radcliffe on Trent’s 17yr old Wicket Keeper Rob Sutton hit 43 and claimed his 8th stumping of the season as Gotham (158/7) were beaten by 6wkts.

Hucknall finally found a win at home to Nottingham in 1B. Nigel Lobb (109) was in fine form as Hucknall hit 245/6; a spirited fight by Nottingham (212) ended just 33 short.

1st played 2nd in 1C as Thrumpton (114) maintained top spot beating Ellerslie (88). Wilsons (167/9) were top only 3 wks ago but slipped to another defeat, this time to Old Paviors (168/4) with Richard Robson (82*) again in the runs. Hickling forge ahead in 1D with a 107 run victory over Toton Sycamore (115/9). Awsworth (148) are 2nd after hanging on to beat Farndon (140).

Lady Bay Boots’ (169/8) impressive form halted at home to Nuthall who won by 6wkts. West Indian Caribs have climbed the league every season and, with another win, who would bet against a 4th promotion. Brian Baptiste (98) led the way as the Caribs racked up 189, Ravenshead replied with 138/9. Top club Snibston Grange (189/8) beat 2nd place Kinoulton (147/9) who had Steve Harling (71) in the runs again. Shepshed Town (164/8) notched up a 1st win of the season with a ball to spare against Lambley (162/7) mainly thanks to Mick Gibson (57*).

Rainworth (190) are still top of 1G as Hucknall TA were dismissed for just 47, Adey Morton had earlier bowled well taking 5/14. There were two close games in 1H as 1st Nottingham Victoria (83) managed to bowl Bingham out for 82 and then Hoveringham (124/9) chased down Flintham (123) with 1 ball and 1 wicket to spare.

Clifton Village (140/8) had to work hard at home to Notts Unity Casuals (139/6) to maintain their hold on the top spot of 2A. Plumtree II (226/9) nearly came undone at Radcliffe II (225/7) until Alistair Hall brought them close to victory with an 18 ball 51. Kimberley II (216/5) beat Attenborough II (215/4) with Robin Maxwell hitting 106*. Karrar Khan (5/29) led his side to victory again with the ball as Lady Bay II (147/7) beat Long Eaton II (146).

Thurgarton maintained their hold at the top of 2C as Richard Radford’s 6/22 helped them limit Caythorpe III to 139. Thurgarton then knocked the runs off with a wicket to spare. Second place Stanton-by-Dale II scored 200/7, with a contribution of 87* from Barry Taylor, to demonstrate their superiority over bottom of the table Loughborough Carillon II (159).

Calverton II racked up 167 in spite of Steve Giles (5/20) best efforts for Kirkby Portland II (83). Calverton then showed mastery in the field with wicket keeper Richard Lee taking 4 catches and a stumping, while 14 year old Billy Armstrong took 4/16.

Possibly the unluckiest batsman of the day was 17 year old Martin Shoemaker who missed out on a century for Attenborough III as he was left on 98* when they passed Gedling & Sherwood III’s total of 150/7.

Elsewhere in 2D, Ian Greatorex continued in impressive form, scoring 122* in Newstead Abbey & Village III’s (228/6) win over Stoke Bardolph (167/5). Thrumpton II continued their push towards the top of 2E, passing the 105 set by Ruddington II with 8 wickets to spare. Neil Johnson’s 72 for Kimberley Institute III contributed towards a total of 172/8, which Keyworth II (120) were unable to match.

Long Whatton II, promoted to 2F last season, continue to head the table despite a 5 run loss away to East Leake II. At the other end of the table, Radcliffe-on-Trent III (54) suffered another loss, this time courtesy of Hucknall III (56/0), with Darren Shaw’s 6/17 inflicting much of the damage. Farndon II’s bowlers Martin Turton (4/8) and John Curtis (3/7) saw off West Bridgford Legion II for just 32; a total Farndon passed without loss.

In 2G, Plumtree III racked up 184/6, with Ross Crombie 76*. Tight bowling, including from 13 year old Josh Sheriston (3/16) in his first league game, then limited Shepshed Town IV to 105/8 in reply. Philip Meakin’s less than quick-fire 23 off 86 balls contributed to a Clifton Village III total of 143, which was ably defended by bowlers Chris Handley (4/28) and Tom Evans (3/19) for a win over Nottingham III (118/9).