Bowlers dominated the weekend fixtures as two of the three unbeaten sides lost that record. Plumtree were defeated by Long Eaton, Gedling Colliery II suffered a shock home defeat to Long Eaton II, whilst Plumtree III rolled on at the top of Division P with their tenth successive victory.

An air ambulance was needed in the Caunton vs Woodborough game as Caunton skipper Phil Warriner took any hopes of growing a moustache away when he top edged a ball from spinner Steve Derry in to his face.  A hospital trip by helicopter to ascertain he has a broken gum and lips that look like a collagen nightmare, but the skipper is at home and looking to invest in a helmet.

Stuart Walton of Hoveringham, had his best ever performance with the ball at home to bottom club Shepshed Town III. A victory was always expected as 2^nd placed Hoveringham piled on 242/9, but Walton bamboozled Shepshed as he took a staggering 8 wickets for only 3 runs including his first ever hat-trick.  Risley II’s Lee Collinson also turned in an 8 wicket haul for 49 runs as Gladstone ran amok scoring 220/9, with Martin Widdowson hitting 106.  Risley tried hard to respond but finished on 158/9.

Oxton’s Michael Berry hit 51 of his side’s 128/9 away at South Muskham, then with ball in hand took 7/10 as Muskham were dismissed for the day’s lowest score of 26. Another shock defeat fell to Rainworth who were dismissed for 40, Darren Wilkinson 5/4 and Jim Severn 5/35 the heroes for Kirkby Portland II as they won by 6 wickets.

Plumtree looked to have done all that was needed to claim the top spot in Division A but this loss to Long Eaton halves the 4 point average lead they had last week. Plumtree batted first and moved to a creditable 194/8 with Dallas Cool 79. Alan Villers 4/64 was the top bowler for Long Eaton and then Andy Edge 60* and Brett Scothern 45 took all the points in a 7 wicket victory.  Gedling Colliery (212/9) had to settle for a winning draw away to Balderton (166/7) and as a result they slip to 3^rd in the table.

Newstead Abbey (142) boosted their hopes of survival as they had the lion’s share of a winning draw to Loughborough Carillon (141/8) as Carillon must have thought they were to steal victory. Radcliffe on Trent (202/7) are equal bottom after this week’s home defeat to Eastwood Town (203/4) who were glad to halt their own slide down the table. Rolls Royce Leisure (180/7) wrapped up victory with 2 balls to spare away at Attenborough (149).

Gedling Sherwood (90/4) had no trouble beating Hucknall (86) to maintain top spot in Division B whilst Ellerslie (211/8) recorded a win away at Bramcote (130) to consolidate 2^nd place. Thurgarton’s (158/9) losing draw away at Belvoir (236/4) still sees them languish at the bottom with Hucknall. Bottesford’s (175/9) win over Nottingham (61) sees the latter move close to the relegation zone. Newark (173/7) dismissed Gotham Village for the division’s lowest score of 55 to dent Gotham’s promotion hopes as they are 2 points average adrift.

Plumtree II (228/4) forged ahead in division CD with a victory over promotion rivals Wilsons (188/9). Second placed West Bridgfordians (204/9) had little trouble in maintaining that position as only Lee Shilton (46*) resisted with the bat for Risley (90). The relegation spots are a battle between Nuthall and Wymeswold as both lost again but Awsworth are still winless as well, so next weeks clash between them and Nuthall could be the biggest game of the week as the loser will almost certainly be playing in a lower division next season.

A weekend of shocks in division EF as first leaders Gedling Colliery II (166) were defeated by Long Eaton II (229/3) and then former leaders Long Whatton (131) slip to fourth after suffering back-to-back defeats, this one away at Collingham II (175). Notts Unity Casuals (102/1) defeated Farndon (101) who are the hot and cold side in the division. Lady Bay Boots II are the new leaders after beating Hucknall II (150/9) by 2 wickets. The West Indian Caribs move 3^rd after beating Willoughby (143) by 98 runs.

A dramatic game in GH saw East Bridgford (141) cling on to victory despite the heroics of No.11 bat Phil Lafberry (42)  who had earlier taken 6/37 then steered his side from 79/9 to 139, a nail-biting performance ending 3 runs short. On Stanton by Dale II’s postage stamp of a ground Edingley (200/4) romped past Stanton’s 197/8 with a century for Shaun Stocks (101*).

In division N top played bottom, with bottom club Poplars nearly pulling off the biggest shock of the day. Batting first Poplars scored 132/7 off their 40 overs whilst leaders Stanton took all but 2 balls to pass the total with only a wicket in hand. In the same division Awsworth II’s (197/8) Richard Hunt hit 99 in their victory over Newstead III (140/9).

Teenager Luke Gunn also hit 99 in Clifton Village III’s (247) win at east Leake II to keep the pressure on undefeated Plumtree III. Dave Taylor was unlucky finishing on 99 not out as Long Eaton III’s innings closed on 212/8; 115 more runs than Lowdham II could muster. Leaders Thrumpton (57/4) easily beat West Bridgfordians III (56) with 14 year old debutant Luke Mason taking 3-7.