Seconds accept first eleven challenges
by Dennis Wright, April 25th 2004

As summer blessed the start of the cricket season, 2nd XI clubs were braced for the challenge of taking on 1st XI opposition for the first time in the South Notts Cricket League. With only Divisions A & B playing win-draw-lose it will be a new game for most of the 2nd XI sides.

Rob Sutton (108), who played the whole of last season in Radcliffe’s 1st XI found himself dropped to the seconds as they took on Hickling in Division C/D. He went on to hit the season’s first century as Radcliffe 2nds ran up a staggering 275-6 against 3 times promoted Hickling, who were all out for 141.

In the same division another regular 1st teamer, Mahmood Ali, had an all-round performance for Plumtree II against Kimberley Inst II. Bowling first, Ali took 6-33 reducing Kimberley to 154-9. Then with the bat, Ali (45) and Rangit Barber (58*), took Plumtree II to victory by the 41 st over. Keyworth (123-4) easily chased down West Bridgfordians ’ meagre 122-9.

The most exciting finish saw Risley (182-6) lose to Wollaton (186-5), Wollaton hitting the winning run off the very last ball. Thrumpton had Andy Pick (2/15) returning to his roots after an impressive career with Notts. The Thrumpton team, that has been rebuilt in the close season, is under the guidance of Captain Frank Forman (17* & 3/9) and boasts the experience of Ian Grey who has played representative cricket with Hong Kong and the MCC. They met their first challenge by holding the capable Southwell II to 119-8 (Oliver Murphy 21* & 3/19) and then scoring the required runs for the loss of only 5 wickets.

Wilsons (171-9) recorded a marvellous victory over Lady Bay Boots (148). After the set-back of the pavilion fire and recent vandalism it was just the boost the club deserved.

G/H sees an influx of 6 2nd teams and it seems hard to look any further than these teams for the promotional places. Gedling Colliery II showed their class over Ruddington as they piled on 244-4 and dismissed Ruddington for 52 to record a 192 run victory.

Hucknall II (210-9, with Nigel Lobb 43) produced an all round team performance to beat Toton Sycamore who were thankful for the last 3 batsmen scoring 50 of the 161-9 to secure 3 batting points. Beeston (156-8) fought hard against local rivals Long Eaton II (166-8), failing by 10 runs. Gedling Sherwood II easily beat Collingham II (120-8) by 68 runs. Underwood defeated West Bridgford Legion (93) by 6wkts and Ravenshead 169/8 were pushed hard before overtaking Chilwell’s total of 166.

In division G/H Lowdham (202-7) and East Bridgford both scored over 200 runs with East Bridgford winning by 3wkts. Thurgarton II had 16 & 15 year old James Mitchell (50) and Richard Radford (3-36) starring in their home win over Caythorpe II (145-9). Ellerslie II’s Lee Scott hit 88 of their 207-8 and then Phil Lafbery (4-17) helped dismiss Epperstone for 85.

Kinoulton (159-8) lost to Gotham Village II (160-3) as both Gary Kersley and Adam Neeson completed unbeaten 50s. Manawar Sultan’s 6-6 was the difference in Nottingham II’s (112) win over East Leake (69). Snibston Grange (158-6) had a comfortable win over Cotgrave (73).