Hosiery Mills press their case
by Paul Barker, 20th June 2004

Whilst everyone around them has been making the occasional slip up, Mansfield Hosiery Mills have become the first team to top league and put some daylight between themselves and their rivals. Saturday’s match against third placed Notts. & Arnold Amateur was supposed to be a big test for them, but Hosiery Mills came through it in outstandingly with a huge five wicket win and are now 33 points in front and still unbeaten at the half way stage.

Batting first Notts. & Arnold made a reasonably respectable 188 all out with tremendous knocks from Ian Flood (67) and Bill Trewartha (61) whilst Sri-Lankan Asela Jayasinghe led from the front in his usual whole hearted manner to take 6 for 52 for Hosiery Mills.

This target never looked like being defendable and the one thing about the Hosiery Mills side is that all the batsmen seem capable of making a score when the others fail. This was the case here with Matt Millns making an impressive 51 and Jeff Appleton a tremendous unbeaten 60 as Hosiery Mills captured another maximum.

At the start of the season one would have doubted Hosiery Mills threat after losing players of the calibre of Nolan McKenzie, Jonathan Smaill and Jonathan Best, but the ones who have come in have added something and the team now looks more contented with itself than in previous seasons. There is still a long way to go of course and it would be surprising if they didn’t encounter a bad patch as most sides do, but it will be very interesting to see how they cope with it!

Notts. & Arnold have now lost three on the spin and after a great start to the season must be wondering what is going on. They face a trip to second placed Kiveton Park next week and need to get back on track quickly before their challenge becomes extinct. Things certainly could not be more interesting.

Talking of Kiveton Park , they suffered a shocking defeat against bottom club Blidworth last week and their woe continued as they were thrashed out of sight by ten wickets at a rejuvenated Cutthorpe on Saturday. After four consecutive defeats, it remained inconceivable that Cutthorpe would continue their ‘Snakes and Ladders’ descent down the league and so it proved as they ripped Kiveton out for just 62 runs!

Asadullah Butt with 5 for 29 was the wrecker in chief but the Kiveton batting failed dismally with only Micky Godber (15) reaching double figures in an abject display. This target proved no problem with Chris Marples thrashing a quick-fire 43 n.o., and Andy Thompson (21) keeping him company. This was a welcome return to form for Cutthorpe but a shocking blow for Kiveton who must now regroup and get back to winning ways fast.

An overseas player who is making his mark big style is Cuckney’s Australian Dave Newman and Edwinstowe were the latest side to fall to his outstanding ability with both bat and ball. Batting first Cuckney reached an impressive 202 for 7 with Paul Gurnell (42) and that man Newman (41) top scoring as Edwinstowe struggled to cope.

In reply Edwinstowe were bowled out for 121 and once again it was Newman with 5 for 22 in a magnificent spell of bowling that did the damage. This fellow certainly seems to be the business and Cuckney really did their homework well when hiring this fellow.

Worksop had a morale boosting victory as they annihilated a weakened Thoresby Colliery side at Central Avenue by 135 runs. Batting first Worksop were limited to a modest 168 for 8 with Glen Pym making a magnificent unbeaten 86 and Tim Ward adding good support with 31. Australian Jonathan Hill took 5 for 44 in a good spell of accurate medium paced bowling.

One couldn’t have been prepared for the Thoresby reply which simply disintegrated. All this season their batting had been their strength but on this occasion it deserted them totally as they were bowled out for a dismal 33 runs! Nobody made double figures as New Zealander Brad Moore (4 for 9) and Simon Robson (5 for 13) ripped through some abysmal resistance.

Blidworth after their magnificent win over Kiveton Park last week returned to their desperate form and were soundly beaten by Glapwell at Park Avenue . Batting first Glapwell reached a respectable 183 for 9 on a wet wicket which was always an assistance to the bowlers.

Lee Topham made a superb 76 and skipper Andy Smith (52) as Glapwell coped with the conditions quite well despite good efforts from the Blidworth attack in which Craig Turton (4 for 62) and Richard Smith (3 for 37) were outstanding.

This total proved much too good for Blidworth who were bowled out for just 111. Only Richard Price (64) saved them from total collapse as New Zealander Ian O’Brien (5 for 27) and Nick Bircumshaw (3 for 19) bowled brilliantly and used the conditions to perfection.

It’s certainly swings and roundabouts in Division 2 at the top of the league with two of the top four winning and the other two losing and the whole complexion changing. Marshalls who started at the top are now third after a six wicket defeat at Papplewick & Linby 2 nd and their opponents move up to second.

Batting first Marshalls reached a useful looking 192 for 7 with Australian Tim Down (59) and James Deacon (34) leading the charge. Tom Brown (3 for 57) was the best of a steady Papplewick attack which never let things get out of hand.

In reply Papplewick batted brilliantly as they reached 193 for 4 with Nazrim Sookram blasting a brilliant 95 and Gareth Rusinowski (34). Marshalls skipper Kevin Housham took 3 for 49 in a vain attempt to keep his side in the game but Papplewick carried too many big guns for them and were worthy winners on the day.

Killamarsh return to the top after a good game which ended in a draw against Pilsley who have made significant progress of late. Batting first Killamarsh reached a daunting 221 for 6 with Rodney Cook (79), Pete Allen (53) and Jonathan Forrest (34) all batting well. A name you can’t keep out of the news is of course Saeed Bin Nasir and he bowled tidily to take 3 for 46 as did Ian Worthy who gave admirable support with 3 for 41.

The target was always on for Pilsley whilst Bin Nasir was at the crease and Killamarsh must have been extremely grateful to see the back of him for a superb 64 when Pilsley looked likely to snatch victory. Oliver Jones (34) added strong support but Pilsley couldn’t keep up with the clock with the ‘Prodigal Son’ Adrian Rivington bowling splendidly to take 4 for 37 in a good spell.

Eckington who were hanging on to the leaders shirt tails went down to a shock defeat against N.S.K. who have suffered an awful run of form of late. For once Eckington’s batting was not as potent as usual despite the fact that Rob Carlile made a superb 81 and Richard Bostock (30). N.S.K. skipper Gary Lambert (4 for 70) and Paul Burrell (3 for 41) kept a tight rein on things as Eckington were limited to just 160 for 9 which is a low score for them considering their recent exploits.

One always had the opinion that N.S.K. would eventually start batting as they can and this was the day it all came good. Joe Smith (45), Steve Flynn (36) and Ian Sellars (31 n.o.) all batted well as the Newark side reached 161 for 2 and a marvellous eight wicket win which was desperately needed.

Another side who are on the fringe of things is Notts. & Arnold 2 nd and they added a further seventeen points to their tally for a winning draw against North Wheatley with Leverton. Batting first Notts. & Arnold made 205 for 6 when the overs ran out thanks to some excellent batting from Andy Harris (43) and David Hoos (65).

This target was never threatened and North Wheatley held out on 122 for 7 when time was called. Only Dave Waller (37) propped up a faltering innings as Andy Walters (4 for 34) bowled superbly for Notts. & Arnold . This side made an average start to the season but are now catching the rest fast. It would be a fool who write off their chances, they do look a rather strong all round side.

A side who look as though they need a miracle are Clay Cross Works who remain bottom after yet another big defeat by six wickets against Whitwell. Batting first Clay Cross reached 126 for 1 but were then bowled out for just 190. Skipper Michael Bradley showed all his undoubted talent making a splendid 52 and great support came from Kevin Walker (31) and Martin Leatherday (37). Darren Westerby (3 for 64) and in particular 17 year old left armer Andy Shaw (4 for 12) wreaked enormous damage as they ripped through the middle order of the Clay Cross innings.

The winning margin was comfortably achieved as Whitwell reached 191 for 4 quite easily. Alan Draycott (62) Dave Jessop (61) and Australian Braydon Stone (36 n.o.) saw Whiwell home but Clay Cross are already looking doomed unless something major happens.