Jayasinghe gets Mills off to a flyer
by Paul Barker, 18th April 2004

Sri Lankan import Asela Jayasinghe was undoubtedly the star of the show as Mansfield Hosiery Mills got away to a good start beating Farnsfield by 47 runs at Huthwaite Road . It was much harder than the margin of victory would suggest however and at one time Farnsfield looked much more likely to take the points in a keenly contested match.

Batting first the two left handers Tom New and Clive Graham got the Hosiery Mills away to a good start punishing anything loose, but both fell with the score around the 50 mark and from that moment on wickets fell at regular intervals to put Farnsfield in a buoyant mood.

Only skipper Mark Langford with a typically belligerent knock of 32 propped up the innings but when he went it looked as though the final total would not be more than around 100. However ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’ and Jayasinghe arrived at the crease to play an uncharacteristic dogged innings of 43 n.o. and with excellent assistance from the tail Hosiery Mills were dismissed for 157 with one over to spare.

Neil Sharp a new recruit to the Farnsfield ranks from Bilsthorpe and Craig Collins both used the conditions to the full taking 5 for 38 and 3 for 53 respectively in excellent spells of controlled line and length bowling.

After losing an early wicket Farnsfield battled on steadily on a pitch which was giving the bowlers more and more help and reached 69 for 1 and looked set for victory before the wheels fell off. Paul Delaney was caught at gully and three more wickets fell without a single run being added. From that moment on only one result was possible and despite some stern resistance from the tail Farnsfield were dismissed for just 110.

Jayasinghe bowled superbly to take 5 for 45, but the real hero who ripped out the top order was veteran Steven Brown who was virtually unplayable taking 3 for 17 which could have been even better with a touch of luck. Jason Gorman also bagged a couple of wickets as Hosiery Mills got away to an excellent start in their bid for honours.

Kiveton Park made a terrific start battering Thoresby Colliey to defeat by 61 runs at Stone Close. Batting first Kiveton were indebted to the hugely talented left hander Adam Burgess who made a cultured 71 and the brilliant Australian Ryan Snape with 79 as they reached an imposing 192 for 5 when the overs ran out.

Thoresby never really threatened this total and despite good efforts from John Hill (32) and Shailesh Patel (36) they were bowled out for just 131. Richard Spurr (5 for 38) was the pick of the Kiveton attack who picked up maximum points for their efforts.

Blidworth who were relegated from the Nottinghamshire Premier League last term found life a little difficult on their return to the Bassetlaw League losing by six wickets to Notts. and Arnold Amateur. Batting first Blidworth were extremely thankful to Ritchie Gibbons for his 51 runs as they were dismissed for just 132 with Scott Leivers ((4 for 21) and Australian Justin Foss (3 for 52) wreaking havoc with the rest of the Blidworth batting.

This target proved no obstacle to the Nottingham side and Foss in particular was once again well to the fore as he made a magnificent unbeaten 79 to steer his side to an impressive victory.

The other relegated side Bridon fared much better beating Glapwell by nine wickets at Ordsall. Batting first Glapwell struggled all the way through with only Rob Davison (34) propping up an ailing batting line-up as Matt. Makings (5 for 46) bowled impressively. Glapwell finished on 125 for 9 in their 50 overs and one sensed that this would not be enough.

This proved to be the case as Bridon skipper Simon Fenwick (78 n.o.) and Rob McLeod (38 n.o.) got their side off to an impressive start with a crushing victory which will do wonders for their confidence having lost a number of players in the close season.

Cuckney, another club where a host of players departed in the close season made an impressive start with a winning draw against Bolsover. Batting first Cuckney probably had the performer of the day in 16 year-old Jamie Jeavons who made a brilliant 95 out of a total of 219 for 8 and a performance which showed a maturity well beyond his years. He was well supported by Gareth Price who made a valuable unbeaten 40 whilst Steve Wooley (3 for 66) and Eddie Grant (4 for 24) bowled impressively for Bolsover.

In reply Bolsover were well served by newcomer from Killamarsh Matt Bull who made an excellent 72 and had they had the services of star Pakistani Tariq Rashid who has not arrived yet it could have been much closer. As it was Bolsover closed out on 146 for 8 with Australian Dave Newman (3 for 21) and Andy Stephenson (3 for 25) both bowling impressively as Cuckney took the lion’s share of the points available.

The two promoted teams Worksop and Edwinstowe met at Central Avenue and the latter almost pulled off a shock and morale boosting victory. Batting first Worksop were quickly in trouble and only Richard Grainger their new recruit from Kiveton Park held the innings together with 48 out of a disappointing total of 136 all out. Ally Rhodes (3 for 27) and Brian Hallam (3 for 28) were the pick of the Edwinstowe attack which bowled superbly.

In reply Edwinstowe looked almost certain to achieve a fine win with Australian Garth Brown (74) leading from the front again as he did throughout the promotion campaign of last term but they were thwarted by bad light at 123 for 5 just 14 short of victory. Paul Burton with 3 for 23 was the best of the Worksop bowlers but this result could and should have been avoided. Both teams had the option of starting earlier but decided to begin at 2.00 p.m. a move which was always fraught with danger and this proved to be the case.

Full match results - click here.