The mystery of the bail that wouldn't fall
by Paul Barker, 26th July 2004

The place, Cutthorpe’s Recreation Ground, the time 18.55 p.m. , the score, Cutthorpe 72 for 5 needing 146 to win, the batsman Ejaz Khan, the bowler Steve Bentley of Worksop. What happened next was right out of the realms of fantasy and Worksop will no doubt be feeling aggrieved and bitterly disappointed and also wondering if ‘Somebody up there doesn’t like them!’

Bentley had already captured three wickets and was moving in for the kill and he produced another unplayable ball which Khan could do nothing about which bowled him neck and crop with the ball streaking to the boundary.

The sad thing for Bentley was that although the ball whacked the stumps quite hard it didn’t amazingly enough dislodge the bails! Khan must have been the luckiest man in ten counties as four byes were added to the score and he went on to make 47 runs which took his side to victory. Bentley was distraught and quite rightly so because he will do this many times more in his career and there will be no problem, the bails will fall off, but on this occasion some divine intervention took place which certainly cost his side the match.

Batting first Worksop had batted poorly on a wicket with plenty of life in it making a total of 145 all out and had it not been for an excellent 60 from Tim Ward it would have been much worse. Asadullah Butt (3 for 31) and Ejaz Khan on a day to remember for him was even better as he bagged 6 for 26 in two highly productive stints.

After a good start which put Cutthorpe well in command wickets fell at regular intervals and when Khan and Stuart Barlow arrived at the crease, Worksop looked almost home and dry. Then the incident occurred which changed the match and Khan and Barlow batted sensibly and surely before Khan was dismissed with just two runs needed. Steve Bentley took 3 for 15 in his inspired spell but it could and should have been more.

John McCollum then made the winning hit as Cutthorpe triumphed by four wickets in a match that neither side will ever forget. The game was played in a wonderful spirit, but nothing will ever erase the memory of this incident and Worksop will forever think ‘If only’, and quite rightly so.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills continued their triumphant march on the title with a five wicket win over lowly Edwinstowe at The Fieldings. Batting first Edwinstowe reached 162 for 9 in their 50 overs with Paul Benson top scoring with 30.

This proved to be nowhere near enough as Dave Loveridge (89) and Sri-Lankan star Asela Jayasinghe (31) saw Hosiery Mills stride to victory in a canter to maintain top spot in the league.

Notts. & Arnold Amateur who started the season in devastating fashion re-convened their slump after a rare victory last week, losing by seven wickets to Kiveton Park at Goosedale Lane . Quite frankly it was no contest as Notts. & Arnold folded to 147 all out with only Bill Trewartha propping up the innings with an unbeaten 63. Ryan Snape (3 for 29) and Richard Spurr (4 for 51) were the pick of a Kiveton attack which bowled really well.

This target proved no handicap to Kiveton who simply strolled to victory with Ryan Sanpe completing a fine all round performance with 46. Great support came from Adam Burgess (33) and Phil Cooper (46 n.o.) and on the evidence of this Kiveton are right back to the form they showed at the start of this season.

Blidworth put together a decent batting display and still lost to Farnsfield who produced one of their better performances. Batting first Blidworth reached 191 for 9 with Dave Donaldson making an impressive unbeaten 45 and Kiwi Mark Silcock bagging 4 for 72 and Craig Collins 3 for 51.

In reply Farnsfield went into cruise control and it was their two star performers from the glory days, skipper Andy Edwards (91) and Paul Delaney (66) who brought those wonderful memories flooding back. Farnsfield can certainly beat anyone when they are in the mood and this was certainly the case in this match.

Cuckney who have suffered two heavy defeats in their last two matches came back to form with a winning draw against Bridon. Batting first Cuckney made 190 for 6, a vast improvement on recent excursions and most of the team chipped in to help them to this useful total. Michael Palmer (33), Paul Gurnell (46), Dave Newman (45) and Gareth Price (30) all batted well in a fine all round showing.

In reply Bridon were in trouble from the start and reached a tottering 142 for 9 when the overs ran out. Rob McLeod top scores with 35, whilst Australian Dave Newman once again showed his great talent for Cuckney taking 3 for 29, and was well supported by 15 year old Daniel Brown who took an highly impressive 3 for 11.

Thoresby Colliery continued their yo-yo existence with a narrow 6 run win over Bolsover. Batting first Thoresby made a disappointing 167 for 9 with skipper Martin Cheshire (32) and Naeed Ahmed (43) top scoring for them. Chris Pemberton (3 for 49) and Tariq Rashid (3 for 33) were the best of the Bolsover bowlers.

In reply Bolsover who need every point they can get made a good dart at it and finished on 161 all out in a nail biter. Mark Bull (47) and Steve Wooley (30) top scored in a brave attempt but Shailesh Patel (4 for 52), Naeeed Ahmed (3 for 42) and Billy Lippeatt (3 for 21) proved just too good for them and took Thoresby to a maximum points haul.

The match of the day in Division 2 produced a big and much needed win for third placed Killamarsh over league leaders Marshalls. It was a match that brought all the old Marshalls vulnerability to the surface as they careered recklessly from 150 for 1 to 167 for 9 in an awful display of ineptitude.

Skipper Kevin Housham who is setting his Marshalls side a terrific example to follow was once again well to the fore with a brilliant 86 and great support came from Liam Andrews with 45 as a massive score looked a certainty.

One thing that Killamarsh have in abundance is heart however and they never wavered in their quest as Adrian Rivington (5 for 50) and Rodney Cook (4 for 22) sliced through some pathetic batting to have Marshalls dazed and on the ropes.

A good start was all that was needed and Killamarsh got just that from the youthful and highly talented Sam Malpass who made a cultured 64 and with excellent support from man of the match Rodney Cook (30 n.o.) they steered their side home by four wickets on 170 for 6.

Mark Davies (3 for 41) was his usual accurate and economic self, but Marshalls are an enigma and nobody will be convinced they have the ‘bottle’ to win promotion until its all over. Killamarsh showed that they have and it will be interesting to see how they fare over the rest of the season.

In an absolutely stunning match at Papplewick 564 runs were scored with only six wickets lost with the home side managing a six wicket win over the bottom club Clay Cross Works in a cruel blow to the latter’s hopes of getting out of trouble at the foot of the table.

Batting first Clay Cross raced to a mammoth 281 for 2 with Martin Leatherday making a brilliant 123 and Ian Knowles enhancing his undoubted qualities with an unbeaten 81. Skipper Michael Bradley weighed in with an unbeaten 39 and Papplewick looked to have a real mountain to climb.

They did it however with Adam Somekh making 48, Jamie Peat 46 and Gareth Rusinowski a clattering 130 in real cavalier style. The win came with just eight balls remaining and the Clay Cross team must have felt that they had been kicked in the stomach after such a marvellous batting display.

Both sides must be congratulated on producing such a fantastic game of credit and the Papplewick & Linby groundsman must also be congratulated on preparing such a wonderful strip. Clay Cross are sinking fast but showed immense courage in this incredible game.

Eckington kept on the fringe of things with a winning draw over struggling Blyth . Batting first Eckington made a massive 251 for 8 with Richard Bostock (95) and Steve Nicholas (58) leading the charge. Andy Davies added a further 37 whilst Andy Barthorpe was the pick of the battle worn Blyth troops with 4 for 62.

Blyth never looked like threatening this massive total and finished holding on at 111 for 8. Andy Davies (3 for 23) and Simon West (3 for 22) bowled superbly but they couldn’t finish the job off but Eckington are still in the picture and the 17 points they gained from this one keeps them still very much in contention.

Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2 nd contributed to a bad day at the office for their five clubs with only one winning on the day and it wasn’t them. Batting first their opponents N.S.K. rattled up 181 runs before being dismissed with Peter Litchfield making 48, Nigel Murray (35), Gary Lambert (31) and Joe Smith (36 n.o). Richard Pallister (3 for 57) and Billy Johal (5 for 58) bowled excellently for Notts. & Arnold but all their great efforts were to prove to be in vain.

In reply Notts. & Arnold were hustled out for just 127 with only Harvey Burton (34) making any impression whatsoever. Pete Burrell (3 for 33) and skipper Gary Lambert (5 for 40) both bowled brilliantly and the Notts. & Arnold side simply failed to cope with them.

Anston eked out a narrow 18 run win over North Wheately with Leverton at Ryton Road . Right from the start the bowlers held the whip hand on a pitch that seamed around all afternoon and no batsman enjoyed a comfortable tenure at the crease.

Anston were bowled out for just 131 with Jason Hill taking 7 for 51 in a brilliant spell of bowling, but even this was not enough as North Wheatley simply withered and died for just 113 runs. Andrew Ruczenczyn tore the heart out of their batting to take 6 for 47 and skipper Ian Barley bowled his usual accurate stuff to capture 3 for 20 as Anston roared home.

Once again the magnificent Saeed Bin Nasir played a major role as Pilsley claimed an eight wicket success over Whitwell. Batting first Whitwell could only manage a disappointing 142 for 7 with Darren Westerby top scoring on 42 whilst Michael Thompson got some reward for his efforts by taking 3 for 22.

This target was never going to be enough if Saeed got going and he did in fine style making 62 and with Peter Pollard adding an unbeaten 42, Pilsley climbed further away from the relegation trap door. They now have to win just a few more matches for safety but Whitwell are now in a spot of trouble themselves and can’t afford to relax.