Classy performances in the seconds
by Dennis Wright, 19th July 2003

There were some classy performances with bat and ball in the 2nd XI competition of the Gunn & Moore South Notts Cricket League. Neil Henshaw took 9/17 in the 2C clash between Risley II (67) and Rolls Royce Leisure II (136); the League record, set earlier this season, is 9/10.

Dan Sutton took 8/64 for Radcliffe-on-Trent II in their match with Kimberley Institute II (193). Sutton's team mates Matt Stewart (96) and Paul Richardson (62) then helped Radcliffe past the target with 3 wickets to spare.

In the day's shortest match, Anthony Beestall took 7/7 as Hucknall III bowled out Beeston II for 20. Beeston won back a little pride by taking 2 of Hucknall's wickets before they reached the 21 needed to win.

15 year old Thomas Hill took 7/27 as Farndon II (215/5) entertained Caythorpe IV (107). Paul Ford-Murphy (7/30) was almost as economical for Notts Amateurs II (222/7), bowling out Lady Bay Boots II 19 runs short of the target. Chilwell II were 72 all out largely as a result of Richard Beckson's 6/14 for opposition Thrumpton II (73/5). The day's only hat-trick came from 15 year old Richard Garner, who finished on figures of 4/21 as Cotgrave II were bowled out for 119. Unfortunately, Ellerslie III found this total too high as they collapsed to 56.

The highest scoring batsman was Paul Anderson (143), who together with Ken Lawton (86) and Graham Clifford (47*), took full advantage of opposition Whatton & Aslockton II only having 9 players and put on 301/4 for Sawley & Long Eaton Park II. Whatton mustered 152/4 in reply, with Scott Brownson scoring 62.

Stuart Robinson scored 131* in Gedling & Sherwood II's winning draw over Gedling Colliery II (175/8). 4 of Gedling Colliery's batsmen were caught by 15 year old wicket keeper Carl Smith. Next highest scorer was Phil Cranfield (127*) for Old Paviors II (218/1). However, the run rate was surpassed by West Bridgfordians II (221/5), with Clive Knotman contributing 70, and 15 year old Sam Winch ending on 68 not out; his first 50+ in the League. Just short of their centuries were Ian Worrall (93*), for Caythorpe III (255/4) against Newark II (80), and Brian Foster (91) who was on the losing side in Southwell II's (188/5) encounter with Attenborough II (190/7).

Top of the 2nd XI, Clifton Village II suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of 2nd place Wollaton II. Andrew Rattray (72) helped Wollaton to 185/7, a total which Matt Ellen (4/25) and Mark Crossland (3/27) defended to leave Clifton 58 runs short.

At the bottom of 2A, Hucknall II (128) were beaten by the team just above them, Notts Unity Casuals II (205/2) as Andrew Birch and Adam Walker finished Casuals innings unbeaten on 80* and 71* respectively. Collingham II (185/9) sank into the relegation zone following their losing draw against Plumtree II (229/6).

In 2B, 2nd place Bottesford (186/7) were beaten by Long Eaton (190/5) as Dean Simnett turned in an all-round performance of 3/32 and 55*. In the same division, Vikas Sharma of Nottingham II took 4/88 as Gotham Village II notched up 244/7, helped by 84 from Kurt Litchfield and 54 from Colin Johnson. Sharma then hit 35 for Nottingham but saw them finish 36 short of the target on 208/7. Stanton-by-Dale (199/8) evaded victory by a smaller margin, finishing just 12 runs behind 2C rivals Calverton II (211/7). Top batting in the match came from Rob Ellen (85) and Lee Bradley (49) for Stanton and Tom Hodgkinson (62) for Calverton. Matthew Rankin took 4/30 for Calverton.

Attenborough III (196/6) returned to winning form in 2D, with Adam James scoring 34 and then taking 4/46 as Willoughby-on-the-Wolds were bowled out for 132. Snibston Grange II (61/2) cemented their place at the top of 2G as they bowled out Thrumpton III for 57, Mick Croft contributing figures of 5/8.