Hosiery Mills and Thoresby to contest Tomlin final
by Paul Barker, 24th August 2004

Two tremendous semi-finals saw Mansfield Hosiery Mills continue their dream of a league and cup double as they reached the final after an awesome display of power against Farnsfield. They are joined in the final by Thoresby Colliery who oddly enough were the last team to beat them in the Tomlin Trophy at the semi-final stage last season.

The match at the Fieldings didn’t disappoint. Hosiery Mills were at full strength whilst Farnsfield had recently been producing the form that everyone apart from themselves knew they were capable of and had risen up the league at quite a pace over the past few weeks.

Batting first Hosiery Mills showed their great batting strength with Tom New (58), Dave Loveridge (41), Jason Gorman (59) and skipper Mark Langford (34) all flaying the bowling at will as their side piled up a huge 40 over total of 239 for 7. When this side are in full flight they certainly are a sight to see, and Keith Miller who bowled brilliantly to take 3 for 30 was the only Farnsfield bowler to keep a grip on things.

In reply Farnsfield played the game right from the word go, but at no time did they quite look capable of achieving this monstrous total. They were eventually dismissed for 169 with Paul Delaney making 30, and Gary Peck 29. Tom New showing his all round ability was surprisingly perhaps the biggest thorn in Farnsfield’s side taking 5 for 24 in a devastating stint which ripped the heart out of the batting line-up.

The second semi-final took place at Fourth Avenue and the home side Thoresby Colliery saw off the challenge of Blidworth by six wickets. This was an interesting contest as both sides had one win over each other to their names in the league this season and they looked evenly matched at the start of play.

Batting first Blidworth made 160 for 5 which considering they still had five wickets remaining was probably not as many as they would have liked. Ritchie Gibbons brought all his old magic to the fore making 67 in a superb knock, but a little more support would have been appreciated by his side.

As was suggested it wasn’t quite enough and Thoresby saw off this total for the loss of just four wickets with skipper Martin Cheshire making a magnificent 84 and Australian Jonathan Hill an unbeaten 32. Thoresby finally reached the target at 163 for 4 and Hill and Steve Willis were there at the finish to guarantee what should be a good final at Central Avenue , Worksop on Sunday 12 th September with a 1.00 p.m. start..

Both sides have a healthy respect for each other and if the match is anything like as good as the league game at the Fieldings on May Day Monday the spectators will be in for a real treat. Believe me it was that good, I know I umpired it!

At The Fieldings: MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 239 for 7 (Tom New 58, Dave Loveridge 41, Jason Gorman 59, Mark Langford 34, Keith Miller 3 for 30) beat FARNSFIELD 169 all out (Paul Delaney 30, Gary Peck 29, Tom New 5 for 24) by 70 runs.

At Fourth Avenue : BLIDWORTH 160 for 5 (Ritchie Gibbons 67) lost to THORESBY COLLIERY 163 for 4 (Martin Cheshire 84, Jonathan Hill 32 n.o.) by six wickets.