Arnold maintain excellent start
by Paul Barker, 25th April 2004

A move to a new ground and a new name seems to have done wonders for Notts. and Arnold Amateurs as they maintained their 100% start with a crushing six wicket win over Bolsover at Goosedale Lane on Saturday. Batting first Bolsover were hustled out for just 93 with Ian Flood taking an impressive 6 for 29 in a hostile spell which had Bolsover in trouble all the way through.

This meagre target was reached with ease despite the loss of four wickets. The amalgamation seems to be working for the two clubs and they look forward to a very exciting season.

Another club off to a maximum points flyer is Kiveton Park and they annihilated Blidworth by nine wickets at Stone Close in emphatic fashion. Batting first Blidworth were dismissed for just 69 runs with Richard Spurr bowling brilliantly to take a fantastic 8 for 20. Blidworth simply had no answer to Spurr’s immaculate line and length and their batsmen resembled a procession back to the pavilion with military precision.

This tepid total bore no problems to Kiveton who knocked off the required runs with ridiculous ease for the loss of one wicket. Blidworth have only collected one point from the first forty and if this form continues they could well be in a dog fight to prevent relegation for the second year running having come down from the Premier League last season.

Kiveton look a strong combination and this magnificent start should put them in good heart for the challenge that lies ahead.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills were held to a disappointing winning draw against promoted Edwinstowe at Forest Corner. Batting first, Hosiery Mills were limited to just 141 for 9 with Jeff Appleton top scoring on 49.

Edwinstowe’s reply was a rather de-jevu effort but they will learn from this experience. Having limited a good side to a modest score they should have recorded their first win but although Paul Benson scored 47 they consolidated on 112 for 6 rather than going all out for the victory which they could have achieved with a more positive attitude.

Cutthorpe made their seasonal debut with a four wicket win over a spirited Cuckney side. Batting first Cuckney managed a creditable 181 for 8 with the Australian Dave Newman scoring a brilliant 113. Nobody else looked like getting on top of the accurate Cutthorpe attack and Asadullah Butt was straight back to his very best with 5 for 53.

Butt was also the star with the bat as Cutthorpe reached 183 for 6 scoring a splendid 73. Paul Gurnell was the pick of the Cuckney attack with 3 for 43, but had the other batsmen given Newman the support he deserved Cutthorpe’s job may well have been a lot harder.

Farnsfield recovered well from their loss to the Hosiery Mills the previous week with a comprehensive winning draw over Bridon. Batting first Farnsfield reached 205 for 7 with James Bennett being the star of the show with a magnificent 115. Great support came from Keith Miller with 44, and Matt Makings continued his good form for Bridon taking 3 for 58.

Bridon were again well served by skipper Simon Fenwick who made a superb 55 and excellent support came from Chris Saxelby with 33. However when these two were out, Bridon decided to drop anchor and concluded on 157 for 8 with Mark Silcock (3 for 34) and Keith Miller (4 for 48) both bowling well.

Thoresby Colliery recovered well after a bad start at Kiveton last week to take a winning draw against Glapwell. Batting first Thoresby were well served by skipper Martin Cheshire (49) and last season’s run machine Paul Hughes who made a brilliant unbeaten 72. Glapwell’s new recruit from the Stoke area Mike Huckle bowled a very tidy spell of off spin taking a highly creditable 4 for 62 as Thoresby were limited to 189 for 5 in their 50 overs.

This total proved easily enough for Glapwell who played out time on 141 for 8. Chris Wood and skipper Andy Smith (32 each) both batted well but Jason Hill (4 for 30) and Peter Scott (3 for 39) kept Thoresby in the driving seat throughout and made sure their side took 16 very useful points.

In Division 2 the race for honours this season looks a little obscure with probably Marshalls and NSK being the two favourites. Marshalls got away to a highly impressive start taking 17 points from a winning draw over North Wheatley and Leverton. Batting first Marshalls were brilliantly served by Kevin Housham (68) and Liam Andrews (72) as they piled up an impressive 205 for 6 total.

In reply North Wheatley who were relegated last season were immediately under the cosh and ended holding out on 89 for 8 with former Leverton skipper Nick Purkiss making a very good 31. This was an highly encouraging start for Marshalls who need to make sure they don’t suffer a mid season blip like they did last term.

N.S.K. who finished fourth last campaign started with a flyer as they pulverised Blyth by four wickets at Oldcoates Road . Batting first Blyth were sent back for just 55 all out. Gary Lambert (3 for 16), Jon Aspden (3 for 14) and Andrew Cox (3 for 9) slid through the Blyth batting like a knife through butter and this dreadful total never looked like being enough.

And so it proved, despite losing four wickets, N.S.K. sailed past the total and looked rather impressive doing it. They certainly have built a good side who it would seem are a match for most at this level.

Anston got the better of Pilsley in a pulsating encounter at Ryton Road by just one wicket. Batting first Pilsley were extremely thankful to Pakistani star Said Bin Nasir who made a superb 72 out of an all out total of 138! Andrew Ruczenczyn (4 for 21) carried over his good form from last season and was easily the pick of the Anston attack.

Bin Nasir proved just as menacing with the ball taking 4 for 18 as Anston, Michael Norbury (49) apart struggled for runs. The last pair came together with 14 runs still needed and Ian Barley and Ian Canning saw them through in a tense and very exciting finish.

Eckington with 271 for 3 were the highest scorers of the day. But Notts and Arnold Amateurs 2 nd held out sturdily for a draw on 142 for 6. Batting first Rob Carlisle who has joined Eckington from Killamarsh showed what a useful acquisition he is by making a sensational unbeaten 103. Great efforts also came from Tom Dawson (77) and Richard Bostock (53) who has returned after one season with Arnold .

In reply a dogged unbeaten 48 by David Hough held Arnold together as they claimed five points for a losing draw.

Promoted Papplewick and Linby 2 nd just got the better of Whitwell in a low scoring encounter at Papplewick Hall. Batting first Whitwell were dismissed for just 110 with only Alan Draycott (32) propping up the innings. Superb bowling by Ian Hardy (4 for 27) and 16 year old Luke Fletcher (3 for 10) did the damage but Papplewick were quick to find out it wasn’t as easy as it might have looked.

Indeed had it not been for Naziam Sookram (50) and Gordon Pearson (31) one wonders if they might have been on for one of the lowest scores of all time. Richard Caldwood (3 for 19) was the best of the Whitwell attack as Papplewick claimed victory by two wickets on 111 for 8.

The match between Clay Cross Works and Killamarsh was called off because the ground was not fit for play.