Runs flow like cascading lava
by Dennis Wright, 12th July 2003

Ten centurions, a new league record TWICE and a staggering 20 games with 200+ scores heralded the return of the batting track under the blaze of a glorious Saturday sun.

Ever since Darren Wright was the first double centurion in the league back in week 5, all knew that Majid Saeed of Notts Amateurs was a volcano of runs that would burst when the conditions were at their best. The runs did flow like cascading lava, unstoppable, his majestic shots pierced the boundaries from every angle as he plundered 206* runs at home to 2nd place Newstead Abbey Village. It is Majid's 6th Century, a record equalling performance, add to this it's his fourth in consecutive weeks, another record.

When hearing of his performance Rolls Royce captain Graeme Wright said "he is a class act and a really nice guy, he's by far the best player in the league" . Saeed and Nadeem Akhtar (68*) put on a club record 231* for the 2nd wicket in their 296/1.

All could have been different though if Gedling & Sherwood (162/4) had batted first in the 1B clash to Bramcote (156/9). Jason Gibblett smashed a near record 102* off just 48 balls (4 more that Gulham Sarwar last season) and could have threatened the record score that belonged earlier in the day to Rainworth Welfare's Shiraz Khalid. Khalid has already a couple of tons under his belt and has attracted the interest of many top clubs and you can see why. Undefeated Rainworth at home to Shepshed Town (84) were blown away in a frenzied batting performance that saw Welfare smash 293/7 and a new league record 204* for Khalid (albeit for just 10 minutes).

Bowling performances were few and far between which makes it more remarkable the performance of the week by Arslan Shah for Carrington Cavaliers in 1H. Carrington had scored 175 and when Bingham came out to bat they were blown away by Shah's excellent spell of 7/7. All his wickets were bowled and 6 of Bingham players returned with ducks as they were dismissed for 30, Extras top scored with 18.

Calverton (180/9) march on to the Premier with a comfortable victory at Eastwood (156). Plumtree (205/7) leap frog 2nd placed Radcliffe (204/5) who slip down to 4th following this defeat by 3wkts. Loughborough Carillon's 223 looked a good score, that is until Gedling Colliery set after it, they won with 9wkts to spare on the back of Dave Mason's 117*. Another defeat for Gotham (163) sees them deep in relegation trouble after Attenborough (167/3) gave themselves breathing space with this victory. Umar Hussan 7/61 was top bowler in the division as Balderton were dismissed for 129 chasing Long Eaton (272/9), Brett Scothern (118) had notched his 2nd ton of the season.

1C leaders Thrumpton (193/9) looked to have blown their chase for victory at home to Wilsons (192/8). Going into the last ball they need 3 runs for victory, but the pressure told on the Wilsons players and a mis-field helped Thrumpton scramble home to maintain their advantage on the division. 2nd placed Ellerslie (187) surprisingly lost to bottom club Risley (244/8) who managed only their 2nd win of the season.

In 1D a close finish in the Nuthall (151) and Toton (152/9) game saw another mis-field off the last ball help Sycamore to the two runs needed for only their 2nd win of the season. Hickling (168/5) take over at the top after beating Whatton (167/7). Awsworth who were top tumbled to relegation-threatened Underwood who scored 201/9 and then bowled Awsworth out for just 85.

In 1F David Pick (6/25) with a super spell of bowling held West Indian Cavaliers in check as they chased Old Dalby 209 (Robert Lecoyte 96*), but the Caribs (211/8) continued their unbeaten run, now 11 games.