Division B had similar weather problems as Gotham Village (180/6) drew with Thurgarton (149/7), who are struggling in the relegation places. Leaders of C/D, Wilsons, came down to Earth with a bump losing their unbeaten record to the unpredictable Clifton Village II. Kristian Murdon reached the sixties again while skipper Andy Walters compiled 57* as Clifton raced to overtake Wilsons total of 126, for the loss of 1 wicket.
Hickling hit the winning trail again against struggling Risley who seem unable to pick up their form of previous promotion-winning seasons. Risley limped to 140/8, a total passed with ease by Hickling with 5wickets to spare. Keyworth declared their innings as the rain came down on 176/4. After tea the rain had cleared and they set about the Awsworth batting to hold them to just 130/7 for an inspired victory. Lady Bay Boots (84/2) had no worries passing Southwell’s 83. Attenborough II (190) had no answer to the bowling of Plumtree II’s Chris Mortimer (6/21) who then hit 43 as Plumtree won by 7 wickets.
Division E/F saw a fascinating game at Long Whatton. Torrential rain that had fallen that morning but Long Whatton had invested in covers and a super-soaker to prepare a pitch capable of 80 overs despite more rain interruptions. Their players then turned in a professional performance as Toton Sycamore were held to 98/9. James Allen showed his power by hitting 86* of the required 99 runs as Long Whatton won within 13 overs to maintain top spot.
Gedling Sherwood (201/6) were pushed all the way by Lady Bay Boots II (196/5) who finished 5 runs short. Collingham II’s 14 year old Tom Richards (6/49) had a day to remember as Chilwell struggled to 163/9. Collingham, despite losing an early wicket, romped home with Charles Lucas (72*) and Jeff Kirkham (42*) recording a 9 wicket victory.
West Bridgford Legion (63) are in the pack of relegation-threatened clubs as they lost at home to Hucknall II (67/4) who are promotion hopefuls. Another team choosing to declare were Caythorpe III away at Kinoulton. With the score on 180/6 after 36 overs the rain came, so Caythorpe declared in the hope of forcing a result. What followed was a tense but thrilling chase as 15 year old Thomas Richards (63) took Kinoulton to within a winning position but as the 45 overs ran out they were locked on 180/6 to share the points.
Bramcote II (82/6) where the only promotion hopeful team to complete their game, beating East Leake (80). Ellerslie II can count themselves unlucky as they had posted 208/2, with Scott Berridge 83, when the rain spoilt their home clash with Gotham II.
Rainworth Welfare’s (133/9) captain Terry Bell overshadowed professional Shiraz Khalid as the captain scored 40* and took 4/14 in their win over Newark II (69); although you have to question why Khalid was allowed to bowl bouncers at the opposition’s 14 year old No. 11 batsman.
Attenborough III scored 210/5 and must have been happy with this total but Dave Marshall (88) saw Lambley home comfortably with 3 wickets to spare. Oxton, batting first, scored a modest 154 but then fought in the field to restrict Lenton Abbey to 149/9. Carrington Cavaliers’ Arslan Shah hit the day’s highest score of 103*, including 14 fours and 5 sixes. Carrington (146/1) had early restricted Thrumpton II to 142 with Yasif Mohammed (6/21) at times unplayable. West Bridgfordians II’s Mick Taylor also recorded figures of 6/21 at home to Belvoir (133) who fell short of Bridgfordians’ 161.
Bingham continued to dominate Divison M as Dave Jones (61 & 4/18) helped his side beat Basford Old Boys (144/9) to maintain their unbeaten run. Wilsons II (160/8) were hopeful of a higher score but Beeston II’s Neil Saville took 4 outstanding catches in the field to give his side a chance of bottom versus top victory. However Wilsons held on to restrict Beeston to 131/8. Snibston Grange II’s (148/9) promotion hopes were dented by Caythorpe IV’s (150/4) teenagers Luke Bishop (43) and Matthew Daffin (4/29).
Plumtree III recorded the quickest result of the day as Keith Sheriston (6/4) restricted Radcliffe to 73, a total passed by Plumtree with 7 wickets to spare. Gedling Colliery III’s (84/0), Joe Hewitt (4/1) helped dismiss Collingham III for a meagre 83. In another reduced over match, Kimberley Institute IV took every ball available before passing Lowdham II’s 164/3 to win by 6 wickets.
