The league saw a staggering amount of new player registrations this week as holiday, injuries and football took their end of season toll on the summer game, but competitive cricket prevailed, despite all these rabbits pulled from the hat to make up numbers. Plumtree III were one team weakened by absences but still they maintained a 100% record notching win number 13 against Farndon (80) by 10 wickets and guaranteeing a promotion place for their 2^nd season.

At the age of 58, David Groves of Lambley II returned personal best figures of 8/16 at home to Newstead III; this beat his previous best of 8/26 against Newstead II in 2000. Groves came on to bowl, and with the score on 77/2 he promptly removed 3 batsmen in 4 balls. He clean bowled 4 and with 3 caught and an LBW, Lambley II move in to a promotion challenging position. Top bowling performance of the day though went to Newark’s Gavin Johnson who became the 7^th player to take 9 wickets in the league finishing with 9/37.

Gedling Colliery (135) slipped to defeat against Long Eaton (138/5) in the clash of the day, thus denting the challenge to Plumtree (168/3) who marched on with victory over Rolls Royce Leisure (167) and quashing any rumours that they may not be interested in promotion to the Premier. Radcliffe on Trent (151/9) recorded their first victory of the season against fellow relegation candidates Loughborough Carillon (88) but with the possibility of two teams to be relegated from the Premier both teams look likely to start 2005 in Division B.

The favourites to replace them in the top flight are Ellerslie (186/1) who beat 2^nd placed Gedling & Sherwood (184/3) who maintain that position as 3^rd placed Gotham Village (236/9) had a losing draw away at Bottesford (242/5). Again with the potential of three relegated Hucknall, Thurgarton and Nottingham look doomed despite Thurgarton’s 113 run win over Nottingham. Division CD sees a 4 way struggle for promotion. Plumtree II beat relegated Wymeswold to maintain top spot whilst Wilsons maintain 2^nd place with Clifton Village II and West Bridgfordians both hard on their tail, the latter two clash next week, which could end one of their promotion hopes.

EF leaders Lady Bay Boots (237/9) made it win No. 11 away at Chilwell (170) and Long Whatton (182/9) seemed to have got over their nervous spell as they move clear of the pack in 2^nd spot with a win over Farndon (180) but it was close to the end as Farndon took 9 wickets.

Calverton II (145/3) and Eastwood Town II (125/4) tie at the top of GH with comfortable wins over West Bridgford (142) and Bramcote (121/8) respectively. Snibston Grange stay in the hunt as they thrashed 4^th placed Epperstone (80) by 9 wickets. Bottesford hit the day’s highest score of 306/4 with both Neil Coddington and Joe Abblewhite ending on 100 not out, as they crushed Gotham Village by 238 runs. 521 runs were shared between East Bridgford (236/9) and Kinoulton (285/3) with Steve Harling hitting the day’s highest individual score of 134 not out.

In division J, wins for both Rolls Royce II and Rainworth almost secures promotion for both as their nearest challenger Caunton need maximum points from the remaining games to challenge. Bingham (246/7) have no such worries as they secured promotion in M beating Whatton Aslockton (138).