Hot air balloon stops play
by Dennis Wright, 21st June 2003

There were no fireworks to herald another dry Saturday in the Gunn & Moore league. Performances with the bat and ball were few and far between with just four centuries and only one haul of seven wickets.

On bone dry wickets and outfields runs were expected to flow and they did with 14 teams notching up 200+ scores in the 1st XI competition.

Majid Saeed led the way with the day’s highest score of 135* as Notts. Amateurs maintain their hold on promotion to 1A with an 8wkt win at home to Rolls Royce Leisure. Earlier Tony Coote had hit 102 of Rolls Royce’s 190/7. Michael Rees (100) steered Old Paviors to 230 away at Risley in 1C, then Neil Davey 5/25 contained Risley’s reply to just 157.

In 1A Calverton (181/9), continued their winning ways beating Gotham (128) by 53 runs. The shock of the day came from Attenborough who beat Gedling Colliery (95), by 9wkts to record their 1st win of the season; Carl Whelan (6/19) did the damage to Gedling’s promotion hopes.

In a low scoring encounter Loughborough Carillon (133), lost to Eastwood Town (137/7), but only just. Rob Sutton (97), continued his impressive season as Radcliffe reached 203/4 a total Long Eaton passed with a wicket to spare. Balderton (143/3), like Attenborough boosted their relegation survival chances with a much needed win at home to Plumtree (141).

League President Joe Mitchell (4/61), featured with the ball but Nottingham (114/9) had to hang on for a losing draw at home to Bramcote (188/8). Gedling and Sherwood hit 266/5 and then declared to give them extra time to beat Stanton by Dale (179). Newstead Abbey (211/9), had Paul Nott (91) continuing his and Newstead’s excellent run with another victory at Bottesford (178). Belvoir (137) lost to Hucknall (141/8) who made hard work of chasing an average score.

In 1C Thrumpton slipped up at Kirkby Portland (127/7), as Thrumpton (126) were knocked off top spot. Ellerslie (117/2) had no trouble beating Keyworth (113) and Imran Khan’s 5/27 for Wilsons (152/6) eased them up the table with a win at Thurgarton (151). An emphatic 90 run victory for Beeston (216/7) over Toton Sycamore (126) leaves Toton in deep relegation trouble.

Hickling suffered another defeat, this time to Lady Bay Boots, batting 1st Hickling could only manage 124 but they took 6 wickets before Lady Bay passed the winning line. Awsworth (184), won by 54 runs mainly due to Mark Bostock 6/22. Underwood (172/9) batted better than previous weeks but still lost to Wymeswold (174/3) as four out of five teams in 1D won away. Farndon (169/9) was the exception as they beat Nuthall (154/9).

West Indian Caribs are trying to wrap up promotion before the season is half way through as they won again to take maximum points at Willoughby (125), with Brian Baptiste 80* leading the way to a 7wkt victory. Adam Pett (91), provided the back bone to Long Whatton’s 183/3 win at home to 2nd place Old Dalby (181/9).

Top comfortably beat bottom in 1F as Snibston Grange (238/6) beat Woodborough (64). Another team racking up a big score were East Bridgford (249/8), Caunton had a spirited go before ending on 194. Cotgrave (224/6), with Tony Newby 89 & 3/38 having an excellent day, beat Bestwood Village (106/9). Epperstone (218/9) inflicted a 3rd consecutive defeat on Kinoulton (169) whose reign at the top was short lived.

Shock of the day in 1G came as Stapleford were skittled out for just 48 away at Lambley (212) where veteran David Groves 5/1 led the way. There were further big scores for Hucknall TA (214/6) over South Muskham (143) and Oxton (234/8) at Shepshed (134). Rainworth stay top (95/3 v Sutton Bonnington 94) but are to lose the services of Shiraz Khalid who is to join a premier side. Glen Burton had figures of 6/1 in a 5 over spell before finishing on 6/17 as Gladstone (184/8) beat Welby (160).

In 1H Belton’s game against leaders Carrington nearly came to an abrupt end as a hot air balloon landed just a few feet away from the boundary. Carrington had earlier scored 238 and Belton, with the help of 52 extras were making a good fist of the chase when the teams had to move aside for the balloon to land. The game resumed as all watched on from the basket as Belton ended 28 short.