Blidworth beat Bolsover in thriller
by Paul Barker, 19th July 2004

Blidworth who have had a tough time since they returned to the Bassetlaw League following their relegation at from the Nottinghamshire Premier League last season, made it through to the semi-finals of the Tomlin Trophy after one of the finest games anyone is ever likely to see at Bolsover on Sunday.

This match had simply everything and when you consider that 470 runs were scored and only fourteen wickets lost the compliments of the day must chiefly go to the Bolsover groundsman for his sterling efforts in preparing such a wonderful track.

Batting first Bolsover made an extremely healthy 234 for 7 with the elegant Tariq Rashid making 48 and Mark Bull 64. Chris Pemberton weighed in with a delightful cameo at the end with an unbeaten 22 and Mark Slade was the pick of the Blidworth attack with a highly commendable 4 for 37.

Amazingly this wasn’t enough as Blidworth produced one of their best batting displays of the season in particular their New Zealand star Aran Pairama who smashed a quick-fire 68 and Steve Bolton a measured unbeaten 49. Richard Smith also added 23 as Blidworth sent their followers into seventh heaven by reaching 236 for 7 to record a magnificent victory which takes them into a semi final clash against either Worksop or Thoresby Colliery.