Notts and Arnold rise to the challenge
by Paul Barker, 30th May 2004

At the start of the season, we suggested that nobody would run away with the title this term, but after the first third of third of matches had been completed Cutthorpe looked as though they could dominate all the way. It wasn’t so much that they were winning matches, it was the way they were doing it with virtually all their victories being achieved by huge and dominant margins. This suggested that other teams would struggle to compete with them, but then last Saturday 29 th May arrived.

Appearing at the Recreation Ground and unbeaten just like Cutthorpe was the recently formed Notts. & Arnold Amateur who went into the match unbeaten also but their wins had by no means been the decisive ones which had been registered by the home side. They had only just beat Worksop last week by two wickets and would have lost had their opponents not spilled a host of catches which were presented to them!

This was to be much different however. Notts & Arnold clicked together like a well oiled machine and overcame the mighty Cutthorpe in fine style by a staggering eight wicket margin. Not that Cutthorpe batted badly as they reached a more than useful 211 for 9, with Andy Thompson top scoring on 55, and Pakistani star Asadullah Butt adding another 52 runs.

Notts. & Arnold were thankful to their brilliant Australian import Justin Foss who served them well last season and has returned to administer more of the same this time. Foss claimed 6 for 75 in a marvellous spell but still the target looked rather imposing to say the least.

Not a bit of it! Notts. & Arnold batted with assurance right from the word go and Julian Thornhill (88 n.o.) and that man Foss (44) combined brilliantly as the Cutthorpe attack was taken apart and the winning margin was achieved at an earth shuddering 214 for 2.

This result has really blown the top off this season’s title race and nobody can be counted out at this stage. Notts. & Arnold have now risen above Cutthorpe and in addition they also have a game in hand on their illustrious rivals. We will have to see, but the future now looks extremely exciting.

Moving to the top of the league are KIveton Park who are encountering a terrific run of form at the minute. Even there match was closer than one would have suspected against bottom club Edwinstowe but they managed a winning draw at the end of a very good game. Batting first Kiveton were bowled out for 199 after good early work by Australian Ryan Snape (56), skipper Rob Coxon (52) and Richard Spurr (44) which preceded a massive collapse as the chase for quick runs floundered.

The damage for Edwinstowe was performed by Brett Hallam who on promotion from their second’s took 5 for 18 in an excellent spell of bowling.

Edwinstowe have now changed the way they play completely and this gives them a chance against everyone. In the early part of the campaign they adopted a negative approach which quite frankly achieved what it deserved, nothing, but now their positive play is giving them real chances and they scared Kiveton half to death with an excellent reply.

Australian Garth Brown once again set the pace with 37, but the real hero just as he was with the ball was Brett Hallam who made a sensational unbeaten 58 before dropping anchor as partners became thin on the ground and Edwinstowe concluded on 168 for 9. Richard Spurr (3 for 43) and off spinner Ian Thompson (5 for 53) were the Kiveton wicket takers as they picked up 17 valuable points to lead the pack at this stage.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills totally annihilated Cuckney by nine wickets in a very one sided encounter at the Fieldings. Batting first Cuckney could make nothing of Sri-Lankan Asela Jayasinghe (3 for 22) and Adam Walker (5 for 21) and were bowled out for just 110.

This target was achieved with consummate ease as Mark Curtis with a superb unbeaten 67 was well supported by Matthew New who made 28 before perishing. This however was only a small consolation for a badly beaten Cuckney side who were out of their depth on this occasion. There is only eight points now between the top four sides and the Centenary season is becoming more exciting by the minute.

Worksop are improving with every match and were always top dogs in their match against Blidworth at Central Avenue . Batting first Worksop made a useful looking 198 for 6 with Richard Grainger who is in excellent form at the moment making a cultured 75. Good support came from Glen Pym (34) whilst Craig Turton with 3 for 66 was the pick of a hard and overworked Blidworth attack.

In reply Blidworth never really looked like troubling the Worksop total and had it not been for a dogged 40 by Craig Turton who enjoyed a fine all round match would surely have lost. Paul Burton (3 for 23) kept his good form going with the ball as Blidworth closed on 126 for 8 and are still struggling hard near the foot of the table. Worksop are now comfortable placed in mid-table and will be looking for further improvement as the season moves on.

Glapwell who look a much improved side this season managed a winning draw after a real thriller against Farnsfield. Batting first Glapwell made a strong showing ending on 214 for 6 when the overs ran out. Dean Graney scored his second consecutive 50 and was aided and abetted by skipper Andy Smith (63 n.o.) and Nick Truswell who also made 50. Dave Bell was the best of the Farnsfield attack taking 3 for 26 from five overs.

In reply Farnsfield made a bold effort for the runs and Paul Delaney (45) and Mark Silcock (32) took them to the verge of victory, but Glapwell’s Kiwi Ian O’Brien (3 for 65) bowled superbly and left the home side needing 14 runs from the last over for victory.

Eleven runs were added, but Glapwell managed to eek out a winning draw in a match which was an absolute credit to Bassetlaw cricket.

Lowly Bolsover must have thought they had turned the corner when they registered 240 for 9 after taking first knock against Thoresby Colliery. Matt Bull made a brilliant unbeaten 106 and received great support from Steve Wooley (53) and Eddie Grant (33) in the run feast. Shailesh Patel with 5 for 65 bowled quite superbly in the face of this onslaught and deserved his success.

Although the target looked huge, Thoresby never looked likely not to reach it as they raced away at an average of twelve runs an over! The mission was accomplished with ridiculous ease as skipper Martin Cheshire continued his brilliant run of form with a magnificent 97 and fantastic support came from Peter Scott who whacked 77 n.o. in double quick time to give their side a much needed win.

In Division 2, the top two sides met at Sheffield Road and it was the home side Killamarsh who came out on top against Papplewick & Linby 2 nd by a comfortable six wicket margin. Killamarsh who were relegated last season, are looking good for a quick return and restrained Papplewick to just 142 for 9 when the overs ran out. Had it not been for a tremendous knock of 75 by Gareth Rusinowski the measure of victory would surely have been more emphatic as Steve Ludlam (3 for 38) and Parminder Mudhar (5 for 57) ripped through some flimsy resistance.

The hugely talented Sam Malpass then went to work making a magnificent unbeaten 72 and with excellent support from Paul Burdett (49) on his first team debut they cruised to an easy win and swap places with their opponents by moving to the top of the table. Matt Alford with 3 for 28 was the pick of the Papplewick bowlers but they ended up a very badly beaten side against a team who are in prime form.

Marshalls close up in third place with an easy six wicket success against struggling Pilsley. Batting first Pilsley could only muster 122 for 7 when the overs ran out with Dave Wright (36) and Steve Drury (35) top scoring for them after an early collapse. Liam Andrews showed his massive potential taking 3 for 32 in an excellent spell of bowling for Marshalls .

In reply Pilsley grabbed three early wickets and then committed the folly of dropping Kevin Housham from a relatively simple chance. This mistake was to cost them dear as Housham raced into first gear making a memorable unbeaten 69 with strong support from Chris Hearn (38) as Marshalls strode to a simple win which keeps them up with the front runners, after last weeks alarming setback.

N.S.K. appear to be joining the inconsistent brigade with a shocking 50 run defeat against Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2nds. Batting first Notts. & Arnold could only muster a disappointing 139 all out with Joe Pallister (33) being the only player to defy N.S.K. skipper Gary Lambert who helped himself to an impressive 6 for 48.

This easy target turned out to be anything but as wickets fell with amazing rapidity. Only Ian Sellars (30) made anything like a score against the accurate Arnold attack in which James Lees (4 for 10) and Danny Nicholls (3 for 19) ripped N.S.K. out for just 89. The Newark side started the season as one of the favourites for promotion but they have now been bowled out twice for exceedingly cheap scores and one wonders if they are quite as good as it seemed at the start of the campaign!

Whitwell are the inconsistency favourites in this section and after suffering a heavy defeat at Anston last week came back with a tremendous win at North Wheatley with Leverton on Saturday. Batting first North Wheatley made a solid enough looking 178 for 8 with skipper Richard Robinson (60), Dave Waller (45 n.o.) and Wayne Harrison (42) leading the charge. Australian Brendon Stone was the best of the Whitwell attack with 4 for 55.

This target looked a difficult one but Whitwell were in no mood to let it slip and some fine stroke play by Alan Draycott (54), Brendon Stone (48) and Dave Standen (32 n.o.) saw them cruise to an impressive five wicket win with only Clive Metcalf (3 for 19) making any inroads into their batting.

Blyth took the majority of the points to gain a much needed winning draw success over struggling Clay Cross Works. Batting first Blyth made 211 for 5 with Geoff Chessman showing his undoubted talent with an impressive 80. He was well backed up by Peter Jones (32) and Mark Ambrose (30) as Blyth showed what they are capable of with the bat when they set their minds to it.

In reply Clay Cross held out on 167 for 9 with Ian Bettney (36) and Ian Knowles (36) staving off outright defeat. Andy Barthorpe (6 for 75) bowled brilliantly for Blyth but they couldn’t quite capture that last wicket and were robbed of a maximum points haul.

Eckington stay in contention just behind the front runners after a hard fought two wicket win over Anston. Batting first Anston made 197 for 8 with Andy Ruczenczyn (32) top scoring and Andy Davies (4 for 61) proving problematical to all the other batsmen.

In reply Eckington kept up the pressure on the leaders by gaining victory despite a bit of a struggle. Richard Bostock who has been in great form since his return from Arnold made a fine 60 and excellent support was gleaned from Mark Bridgeman with a terrific unbeaten 66. Andrew Ruczenczyn completed a tremendous all round display for Anston taking 4 for 78 and could count himself rather unfortunate to end on the losing side.