Holders out as Farnsfield hit form
by Paul Barker, 2nd August 2004

For the first time since 1999, Cutthorpe will not be represented in the final of the Tomlins Trophy at Worksop’ s Central Avenue Ground on Sunday 12 th September. In a keenly contested match at the Recreation Ground Cutthorpe went down by 41 runs to a resurgent Farnsfield side who at last seem to be fulfilling their potential.

It was always going to be difficult for Cutthorpe the moment that Farnsfield piled up a daunting total of 246 for 7. Mark Silcock the New Zealander made a fine 75 and great support came from Dave Tilbury and skipper Andy Edwards with 31 each. Cutthorpe skipper Andy Knowles led by example and bagged 3 for 39 in a most productive spell.

Although batting well Cutthorpe never really threatened this huge total and finished on 205 for 9 with Andy Thompson making 42 and John Combe 31. Tim Corbyn bowled superbly well for Farnsfield and his brilliant figures of 5 for 20 were just reward for an excellent stint.

So Farnsfield march on to the semi-finals where they will meet Mansfield Hosiery Mills who totally destroyed any hopes Kiveton Park may have had of going further in the competition.

It was without doubt a very one sided contest with one man Hosiery Mills Jason Gorman having a field day with both bat and ball. Kiveton must have feared the worse after getting away to a poor start from which they never recovered. They were finally bowled out for a paltry 126 runs which was never going to be enough. Gorman took 4 for 21 and totally dominated proceedings and still he hadn’t finished.

Although they lost four wickets Hosiery Mills were never in much danger and Gorman made a brilliant unbeaten 46 as they booked their place in the semis. Asela Jayasinghe with 26 n.o. provided the support needed and Kiveton must have been very disappointed that they had saved one of their poorest performances of the season for this match.

At Central Avenue , Thoresby Colliery, last season’s beaten finalists kept up their interest in this year’s competition by comfortably seeing off the challenge of Worksop by five wickets. Batting first, Worksop reached a fairly respectable 194 for 7 in their 40 overs with Glen Pym making a stylish unbeaten 52.

Thoresby however had no intention of repeating their abysmal performance in the league on the same ground and from an early stage they were always on course to register a victory. Brilliant stroke play from Australian Jonathan Hill (45 n.o.), Paul Hughes (36) and Shailesh Patel (43 n.o.) saw the task completed and Thoresby now move forward to face Blidworth in the semis.

This should be an intriguing encounter with both sides registering one victory each in the league over each other this season. This rubber match is far from easy to predict.

In the Mallen Trophy, Bridon reached the semi finals with a comprehensive nine wicket win over West Indian Cavaliers 2nds. Batting first Cavaliers reached 133 for 7 with dashing Danny Frankson making an extremely attractive 51. Simon Davison bowled superbly for Bridon and his 5 for 23 was a real reward for a magnificent effort.

The result despite Bridon losing an early wicket was never in any doubt and Craig Saxelby (71 n.o.) and Andy Legg (37 n.o.) made sure no more hic-cups occurred. Bridon now move on to a home draw in the semi final against 2002 winners Killamarsh.