Johnson ton sees Welbeck regain winning ways
by Alan Rowley, 6th June 2004

Many shrewdies had Welbeck Colliery down for a top three slot in the Notts Premier this season, but without a win from their first seven games, few would believe that would now happen. However, former Nottinghamshire batsmen Paul Johnson and Noel Gie restored some pride into the North Notts squad with a sparkling hundred run partnership as Welbeck thrashed Wollaton.

Johnson is still in a different class to most Premier batsmen and demonstrated this with a magnificent 136, including 13 fours and 4 sixes. He offered only one chance, a lofted sweep to the fine leg boundary, but was instumental in the run out of Gie as Johnson called him through for an impossible single as soon as Gie had reached his fifty.

Paul Johnson turns one for four passed Wollaton keeper Jon Gulson

Wollaton won the toss and asked Welbeck to bat on an overcast day, obviously expecting the ball to move around. Welbeck started at around four an over until 'Pasty' Harris had John Wakeling trapped leg before to one that kept low, with the score on 41. Wakeling was not happy with the decision and strolled off the pitch in his own time, clouting the pavilion fence on the way.

Welbeck skipper Malcolm Brown joined Johnson and the two took the score on to 110 until Imran Shahid had Brown caught at point by Dave Langford in the 18th over. Meanwhile, Johnson had reached his fifty and when Gie joined him, the pair laid into the Wollaton attack hitting boundaries to all parts of the Oakfield Lane ground.

After Johnson had survived the dropped catch when he was on 83, he went on to three figures in the 38th over with a delicate tickle off his legs. Johnson's hundred also brought up the hundred partnership which came at five an over.

Gie (pictured right) went in the 40th over with the score on 229 and Ian Hampshire joined Johnson and the pair brought up the 250, with Johnson scoring 118 of them. Johnson finally fell to a fine diving catch by Mark Bott in the covers. Andy Timpson joined Hampshire and the pair took the score on to 296 for 4 before Brown called them in at the end of the 51st over.

Wollaton were never in the contest, and despite a good start, they were dismissed for 135 in the 46th over. The win sees Welbeck climb clear of the relegation zone and Wollaton's defeat means they slip down to mid-table.

Scores:
Welbeck 296 for 4 declared in 51 overs (Johnson 136, Gie 50) beat Wollaton 135 in 45.4 overs
Welbeck 20 points, Wollaton 1 point

Collingham went into Saturday's game at Papplewick in second place in the Nottinghamshire Premier. With the hosts struggling near the foot of the table, the visitors were expecting a win that would see them keep tabs on early leaders Kimberley.

Collingham won the toss and put Papplewick in to bat. The home team coped well with the overcast conditions, and went on to make 213 before being dismissed in the 56th over. Shane Sommers top scored with 46 and Collingham vice-captain David Pipes took 3 wickets for 50.

Action from Papplewick v Collingham

At tea, many thought Collingham would race to the target, but they were unable to cope as well as Papplewick with the prevailing conditions. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and without a fighting 45 from man of the match Pipes, Collingham would have been well beaten.

In the end, the visitors managed to cling on for a draw, losing eight wickets and finishing 50 runs short of the Papplewick total. Steve Alford was the pick of the Papplewick bowlers with four wickets at a cost of 43 runs.

Scores:
Papplewick 213 in 54 overs (Sommers 46, Pipes 3-50) drew with Collingham 163 for 8 in 56 overs (Pipes 45, Alford 4-43)
Papplewick 16 points, Collingham 7 points.

Wins for West Indian Cavaliers at Southwell, and Clifton at Calverton, see these two move up the table, but Kimberley are still clear at the top after a four wicket victory at Unity. Kimberley spinner Michael Innes was the star for the table toppers with an eight wicket haul.