No shocks in Tomlin games
by Paul Barker, 21st June 2004

Five matches were played on Sunday in the Tomlin Trophy K.O. Cup competition and all the games went very much according to plan for the Division 1 sides. The only one which went reasonably close was at Burmah Road , Blidworth were the home side took on Waleswood from Division 4 and after a tight contest they ran out victors by three wickets.

Batting first Waleswood could only muster 120 for 8 in their overs. Why teams have wickets left in these matches whilst recording a low score is beyond comprehension because they have nothing to gain in the nature of points for their efforts.

Some may regard it as a matter of pride but it does seem a little silly. Surely a few extra runs and be all out is a better bet, but it must be said that every team sees things differently and plays to the best of their ability.

Enough of this however and facing such a meagre total Blidworth had more than enough trouble and lost seven wickets before a fine unbeaten innings of 43 by Dave Willcock saw them through to the next round. Waleswood could be proud of their efforts but it does make you wonder what another ten runs would have done for them after such a tight struggle!

A great match as always were the West Indian Cavaliers are concerned before they bowed out to Thoresby Colliery who recovered well from their horrendous defeat at Worksop the previous day. Batting first the Cavaliers who nobody could ever accuse of being negative made 164 for 8 with Monty Douglas making a superb 73.

Shailesh Patel (3 for 27) was the pick of the Thoresby attack which bowled well throughout. In reply a tremendous partnership between Australian star Jonathan Hill (47) and skipper Martin Cheshire who made a brilliant unbeaten 90 saw their side home with eight wickets to spare. Thoresby were beaten in last year’s final and on the evidence of this are looking to go one better this time around.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills showed how it should be done with a fearsome assault on the North Wheatley with Leverton attack at South Wheatley. They declared after 36.1 overs with a mammoth total of 304 for 2 with Tom New making a belligerent 128 n.o. and brilliant support coming from David Loveridge (56) and the swashbuckling Sam Butler with 64.

No side could have hoped to topple this huge score and North Wheatley reached 138 for 7 with Dave Waller making a good 69 n.o. in a show of defiance. Hosiery Mills have an amazing record in this competition having won the Trophy twice and reached the semi-final in the last three years. On the evidence of this they are hoping to do the same again and you wouldn’t back against them!

At Thoresby Park the home side who have struggled manfully all season were no match for Farnsfield who won with six wickets to spare. Batting first Thoresby fell into that negative mode making 114 for 7 with Dan Rippon top scoring with an unbeaten 30. Dave Bell was the pick of the Farnsfield attack taking 3 for 14 in an excellent spell of bowling.

In reply despite losing four wickets Farnsfield were always in charge with James Bennett undefeated on 39 when the required runs were achieved. Farnsfield now face holders Cutthorpe in the next round.

At Central Avenue the match between Worksop and Bridon didn’t finish amazingly enough until 9.20 p.m. and resulted in a most unlikely win for the home side. Batting first, Bridon were in all kinds of trouble at 38 for 6 until a tremendous partnership by two teenagers William Lee (51 n.o.) and Steve Davison (54) took them to a useful 142 for 7 when the overs ran out. Best of the Worksop attack was New Zealander Brad Moore who bowled an extremely hostile spell and picked up 4 for 10 as the top order crumbled.

Worksop started off in much the same manner with Bridon’s Australian Justin Miller bowling with pace and accuracy to take 3 for 15 in his eight overs. From looking down and out, Worksop turned matters around with Tim Ward (30), Luke Ambrose (34 n.o.) and Steve Walker (32 n.o.) being the batting heroes as they reached 143 for 5.

How the match was finished is a credit to both sides and the umpires. There were several breaks for rain, but both teams wanted to finish the match and common sense prevailed as the result was achieved.