Attenborough III beaten at last
by Dennis Wright, 12th July 2003

Attenborough III were last defeated in August 2001. They have notched up a league record 29 games unbeaten since then and were looking for number 30 at home to Stoke Bardolph. Captain Ian Murray has seen his youngsters grow from strength to strength since they first joined the league 4 seasons ago.

They have gained promotion every season and as they are top of 2D, who would bet against another? However like all 3rd XIs from time-to-time they struggle for players, as was the case this weekend. Stoke Bardolph 171/6 made a strong case for promotion them selves on the back of brothers Mark (52) and Scott Pratt (5/27), Attenborough slipped to defeat by 50 runs, but 13yr old Chris Oldcoat (2/13) collected his 1st league wickets to brighten his day.

Kimberley Institute II sprung in to life after the steady slip down the league saw them nearly move out of the prestigious top 6 that will form part of 1C in next season's reshuffle. They beat Collingham II (100) by 10wkts. Plumtree (222/9) were looking for maximum points to maintain their hopes of at least 2nd place in 2a but were thwarted by a spirited resistance from Notts Unity Casuals (163/8) who hung on to draw.

The top two in 2B came together and it was leaders Gedling Colliery who maintain the advantage in this close game. Gedling had batted first and with Peter Dury 79 and Mick Fox 65, Colliery were able to mount an impressive 248/6. Lady Bay Boots took up the challenge and Nadim Mohammad (83) came close to steering his side to victory. Steady loss of wickets saw the run rate climb and Boots finished 17 runs short with 2wkts to spare.

Bottesford took advantage of Lady Bay's slip and move into 2nd spot having defended 194/4 at home to Eastwood II (179/9). The longest name ever to score a Gunn & Moore century goes to Ellerslie's Ananthan Fieayogananghan who hit 105 of Ellerslie II's 246/8, but it was in vain as earlier Gedling Sherwood II had scored 257/5.

Top club Calverton II, in 2C failed by 3runs to chase 2nd placed Thurgarton II (159/5) who with this win are now joint leaders. Phil Gregory (90*) of Stanton-by-dale has continued his own impressive season helping his club into 3rd place after beating Caythorpe III (195/7) by 52runs.

Risley II are having a torrid time at the bottom after another defeat, their 9th of the season this time by a staggering 152 runs to Bramcote II, where Mel Wood (116) notched his 2nd ton of the year.

In 2D a nail bitter of a game took place between Balderton and Old Paviors. Neil Pavey (57) enjoyed his day has he completed his half century and Paviors had managed a respectable 153/8 while Ben Clitshan (4/49) had done his best to hold back the scoring. Balderton were then rocked by Kevin Davies (6/31) who pushed up the run rate as Balderton's 15 year old, Ian Black (51*), steered his side ever closer to an improbable victory. Balderton II went into the last over needing 7 for victory and by the final ball two were still required, as always pressure builds in this situation but both teams held their nerves as the tying run was taken but safe fielding prevented the winning run, in all the excitement Ian Black completed his maiden 50.

Top bowling performance in the 2nds went to Gary Fellows of Belvoir II. Gedling Sherwood III were humbled to 98 on the back of Fellows 7/29, Belvoir walked home by 8wkts. Awsworth II recorded only their 2nd win of the season with Richard Hunt (72) pushing them to an unprecedented 192/8 a figure Lambley II fell short of by 20 runs.

Beeston II & Wilson II both forged wins to maintain their stranglehold on 2F promotional places whilst Radcliffe III (133/9) loss to Newstead III (141/9) sees them in deep relegation waters.

Snibston II are looking odds-on for double promotion as they extended their lead at the top of 2G beating fellow promotion rivals Cotgrave II (140) by 9wkts. Clifton Village III (180) are 2nd after claiming a narrow win over Plumtree III (179) who must have felt they were on for a victory before falling 1 run short with 4 balls left.

Clifton are waiting for the findings of the Disciplinary Committee, after playing an illegal player earlier in the season, to see how it will affect their promotion chances. Nottingham III (106), who have struggled to raise a side on 3 occasions resulting in a deficit of 30 points were beaten at home by Toton Sycamore (107/6). Belvoir III (177) climb one place on the back of heroics from Grant Davies who firstly scored 68 then with 5/27 bowled Lowdham out for just 132.