Kiveton back in form
by Paul Barker, 11th July 2004

After an abysmal loss of form, Kiveton Park came back in style with a crushing seven wicket win over Cuckney on Saturday. This wasn’t a match, it was a massacre and what is even more surprising is that Cuckney have been doing rather well of late and no one could have predicted this.

Batting first Cuckney were bowled out for a pathetic 57 runs although one hastens to add that the bowlers were well on top in most matches over the weekend. Richard Spurr one of the league’s most accurate bowlers took full advantage of the conditions to take 6 for 33 in a magnificent spell of seam bowling and Kyle McKeeman helped himself to 3 for 12 at the other end.

Even allowing for this low score, Kiveton didn’t have it all their own way and lost three wickets before the winning hit was made. Australian Ryan Snape was the only player to look in touch on the Kiveton wicket which is usually a paradise for batsmen, making a very good 31 as his side took maximum points for their efforts.

Leaders Mansfield Hosiery Mills for once lost a few points in an interesting match with Glapwell which eventually fell fowl to the weather. Batting first Glapwell made a more than useful 191 for 9 with Dean Graney and skipper Andy Smith (35 each) both batting well. Asela Jayasinghe with (3 for 36) was the pick of the Hosiery Mills attack.

In their reply, Hosiery Mills had reached 148 for 5 when the rain brought about a premature end to proceedings. Sam Butler (34) who was out in rather bizarre circumstances, Tom New (31) and most importantly Jason Gorman (34 n.o.) carried the fight to Glapwell for whom Kiwi import Ian O’Brien (3 for 32) bowled superbly.

The match had reached an interesting stage at the enforced close and whilst Hosiery Mills only needed a further 44 runs, this Glapwell side are nobody’s push overs these days. It was a pity that the rain intervened because the end resembled a mystery thriller in which you don’t know what is going to happen until the very last minute!

Notts. & Arnold Amateurs wheels have really dropped off as they fell to their fourth defeat in the last six matches with the other two being rain affected. On this occasion they were always second best to Bolsover who belied their lowly position in the league as they administered a fearful thrashing to their illustrious opponents.

Batting first Bolsover were in big trouble but the tail wagged well as they reached 163 for 9 with Chris Pemberton making a very valuable unbeaten 36. Ian Flood was the pick of the Notts. & Arnold attack with 3 for 15 in his usual tidy stint.

In reply Notts. & Arnold were bowled out for just 91 with Pakistani star Tariq Rashid proving totally unplayable as he weaved his magic to take 6 for 30 in a brilliant spell of slow bowling. Chris Pemberton completed his man of the match performance to take 3 for 26 as Bolsover pulled off a precious and emphatic win.

Bolsover certainly needed the points and this win will have given them a massive confidence boost. As for Notts. & Arnold their early season form is looking more and more like a flash in the pan and at this present moment in time they appear to be nothing more than a very ordinary side.

Bridon went into the season with trepidation but with eight outright wins from their first fifteen matches they must have exceeded their wildest dreams. Their latest victims were Worksop at Central Avenue and the home side whilst having a useful looking combination on paper must put some results together quickly as they are now becoming entrenched in the relegation dog fight.

Batting first Worksop were limited to just 162 for 8 with only Glen Pym (63) and Tim Ward (48 n.o.) applying themselves correctly against a Bridon attack in which Australian Justin Miller (3 for 49) bowled extremely well.

This target proved too few as Bridon powered to a five wicket win with eight overs to spare. Darren Spooner (38) and Justin Miller who completed a fine all round show with 45 n.o., steered them to victory despite a superb spell of bowling by Paul Burton who took 4 for 34 but he couldn’t turn the tide on his own.

A tight match at Forest Corner saw visitors Farnsfield pick up a winning draw over Edwinstowe. Batting first Farnsfield totalled 195 for 7 with Paul Franks making a good 78 and skipper Andy Edwards profiteering after an early scare to make 57. Australian Garth Brown was the best of the Edwinstowe attack taking 3 for 57 in a good spell.

Sadly for Edwinstowe they couldn’t keep up with the required rate and despite Garth Brown’s brilliant 71 they could only muster 163 for 6 when the overs ran out. This was chiefly due to New Zealander Mark Silcock who bowled superbly to take 3 for 45 in an impressive stint.

A few weeks ago Thoresby Colliery brushed Blidworth aside with ridiculous ease and must have been looking forward to the return. They weren’t afterwards as Blidworth completely reversed the result blasting Thoresby by a massive 164 runs in a total annihilation.

Batting first Blidworth threw caution to the wind as they posted a massive 231 all out with skipper Richard Price (67) and Dave Willcock (59) leading the charge. Jonathan Hill continued his good form for Thoresby taking 3 for 67 and Shailesh Patel also bowled well to take 4 for 59.

This target was never threatened as Thoresby were blown away for just 67 runs! Only two players made double figures in an abject batting display as Pete Wood (4 for 17) and Richard Smith (4 for 7) went through them like a knife through butter. Blidworth picked up a maximum which was badly needed and they are now only four points behind Worksop who must be looking anxiously over their shoulder.

Papplewick & Linby 2 nd had a fantastic result as they saw off the challenge of North Wheatley with Leverton in a high scoring match at the top of Division 2

North Wheatley batted first and made an excellent 194 for 5 with Wayne Harrison carrying his bat for a brilliant unbeaten 102. Luke Fletcher showed a maturity way beyond his tender 15 years as he took 3 for 17 in a fine spell for Papplewick.

In reply all the Papplewick players chipped in as they overtook the runs required in making a sensational 196 for the loss of only three wickets. The roll of honour goes to Graham Roberts (45) Nazrim Sookram (46), Gareth Rusinowski (49 n.o.) and Jamie Peat (33) who all batted superbly and the North Wheatley side must be wondering what they have to do to win a match.

Astute captaincy by Marshalls Kevin Housham who also enjoyed a phenomenal all round day as his side beat Blyth by 77 runs at Oldcotes Road . Batting first Marshalls declared with two overs to go with Housham himself making a magnificent 114 out of a total of 212 for 6. Dave Hancock with 3 for 36 was the best of the overworked Blyth attack.

Housham’s declaration worked out brilliantly for his side as Blyth were bowled out with just two balls remaining in the extra two overs given them by the Marshalls skipper. Geoff Chessman made a brilliant 63, but the rest of the Blyth batting collapsed under the pressure with Housham completing a brilliant all round showing with 6 for 37 and Mark Davies who helped himself to 3 for 27 doing the damage. Marshalls are now level with Papplewick at the top of the league but are in second place on countback.

Killamarsh kept up the pressure on the top two with an easy eight wicket win over Anston. Batting first, Anston simply had no answer to Parminder Mudhar who took 6 for 46 as Anston were dismissed for just 128.

In reply superb batting from Dave Allen (61 n.o.), and Rodney Cook (47) eased Killamarsh to victory in what is now turning out to be a three horse race with Eckington waiting in the wings for the others to slip up.

Notts. & Arnold 2 nd produced the result of the day when they hammered promotion chasing Eckington by 42 runs at Goosedale Lane . Batting first Notts. & Arnold were immediately under the cosh and lost wickets at regular intervals but a fine unbeaten 44 from Danny Nicholls added some substance to the innings and they closed on 160 for 6. Ian Thompson bowled superbly for Eckington to take 4 for 40 and they must have left the field thinking that a good job had been done.

It was not to be however as Gary Woods ripped through the normally reliable Eckington batting to take 5 for 53 in an impressive spell which saw them dismissed for just 118. Notts. & Arnold are certainly a match for anyone in this league and will no doubt conjure up more shocks as the season progresses. For Eckington probably this was a minor blip but they must safeguard against it happening many more times, they simply can’t afford too many results like this one.

Early afternoon rain reduced the N.S.K. v Whitwell match to 36 overs per side and a real cracker took place with the away side picking up the major share of the spoils. Batting first Whitwell made a mightily impressive 206 for 4 with Alan Draycott contributing a brilliant unbeaten 105 and Dave Jessop 55 in a fantastic display of controlled hitting.

Not that N.S.K. were prepared to take this lying down and they reached 161 for 6 when the overs ran out. Ian Sellars (52) and Paul Burrell (36) gave them hope of victory at one stage but a glut of wickets fell together and put paid to any further hopes and ambitions that they might have had. All the same this was a highly entertaining match between two aggressive minded sides.

Clay Cross sadly for them look to be dead and buried as they sank to a eight wicket defeat at the hands of neighbours Pilsley. Batting first Clay Cross were always in trouble after losing skipper Mick Bradley in the second over and only managed 139 for 8 in their 46 overs on a wicket where the ball seamed all over the place. Ian Bettney who made an unbeaten 41 top scored for Clay Cross and Ian Worthy (3 for 34) was the pick of an impressive Pilsley attack.

Pilsley moved away to a good start and even after losing two wickets, the brilliant Saeed Bin Nasir (61 n.o.) and Dave Wright (41 n.o.) took them to victory without any further mishaps. Bin Nasir who is the stroke maker supreme played a more sedate innings than usual but this only went to show what a good player he is.