Farnsfield edge Marshalls in thriller
by author's name, 4th March 2005

The side who several good judges had tipped as likely champions this term, Farnsfield showed their true colours in a pulsating tussle with promoted Marshalls at Station Lane . On a near perfect wicket 462 runs were scored for the loss of only 10 wickets and Marshalls can count themselves as rather unfortunate after making 230 for 4 to have lost.

The Gainsborough side had suffered a huge blow when their Australian import Glen Talorica had decided that he was home sick after a fortnight and has returned home. Talorica had made a huge impact in his first match and coming on top of the loss of Kevin Housham this was a truly devastating loss.

However batting first at Farnsfield they certainly put everything together scoring a highly impressive 230 for 4 with Paul Van den Heuvel who has returned to the club making an instant impact with a brilliant 70 runs. Great support came from James Deacon (47), Chris Hearn (36) and Mark Davies (45 n.o.) in an excellent display of batting.

This would have been good enough for most sides but the Farnsfield wicket is without question one of the most batsmen friendly in Nottinghamshire and the home side made full use of its docile nature. Mick Hodgkin (36), Mark Silcock (55) and an innings of sheer class from young Elliott Hind who made a magnificent unbeaten 67 to clinch his sides four wicket win on 232 for 6.

Spare a thought for Marshalls all rounder Mark Davies who in addition to his unbeaten 45 also took five of the six wickets to fall at a cost of 100 runs. To put up an all round performance of this nature and still lose must be heartbreaking but it does happen from time to time.

League leaders Thoresby Colliery presses their claims at the top with a crushing nine wicket win over promoted Killamarsh. Batting first Killamarsh could only muster 84 for 9 with Steve Willis (4 for 18) leading the way in a fine stint of bowling. Killamarsh were on a hiding to nothing from the very start as Shailesh Patel and Naeed Ahmed bagged a couple of wickets each and reduced the scoring rate to a crawl from which they never recovered.

The Thoresby innings was just as different as skipper Martin Cheshire and Nigel Burkitt blazed a trail right from the word go and the latter was rather unlucky when he mistimed a drive and was caught at mid on off a skier.

There were no further setbacks as Cheshire (30 n.o.) and Zimbabwean David Irvine whose unbeaten 34 included two huge sixes soon rattled off the required runs as Thoresby reached the winning post on 85 for 1 in comfortable style.

Another major threat Kiveton Park blasted out a comfortable 66 run win over Cuckney at Stone Close. Batting first Kiveton made a respectable 199 for 6 with Australian Pete Coleborne (39), Phil Cooper (40) Ashley Rhodes (53 n.o.) and Matt. Cartwright (33 n.o.) all chipping in with useful contributions.

This target proved much too much for Cuckney and they were bowled out for just 133 with only Steve Cordingly (30) and Paul Gurnell (39) making any impact whatsoever. Richard Spurr (5 for 34) and Kyle McKeeman (3 for 48) did most of the damage as Kiveton notched up their second win of the campaign.

The most astonishing performance of the day came from Notts. & Arnold bowler Ian Flood who single handedly wrecked Worksop at Central Avenue . Despite losing skipper Steve Bentley through injury, Worksop looked to be in cruise control as they reached 50 without loss, but the controversial run out of Glenn Pym sent shock waves racing through the home side as they collapsed big style to 82 all out.

Flood then proved totally unplayable taking the amazing figures of six wickets for five runs in a devastating eight over burst. Not to be outdone, Worksop reacted well but a dropped catch with Bill Trewartha being the recipient of the good fortune when they were 28 for 4 signalled the last ‘hurrah’ for Worksop. Trewartha made a mighty impressive unbeaten 53 as Notts. & Arnold captured their first win of the season on 88 for 4.

Cutthorpe sunk to their second defeat in the two matches they have played and what must be more worrying for them is that their much vaunted batting line-up has failed to reach 100 runs in both innings they have played. This time at Ordsall the wicket was in prime ‘nick’ so there can be no excuse for such a dismal showing as they closed their innings on a pathetic 80 for 8 with Bridon’s Australian Justin Miller bagging an impressive 4 for 24.

This target proved no problem for Bridon and skipper Simon Fenwick batted sensibly to make an unbeaten 51 and send his side home with a comfortable nine wicket win.

The toss was the overriding factor at Park Avenue , Glapwell and Edwinstowe won it and inserted the home side in to bat. Right from the start Glapwell were struggling with veteran Richard Gombos bowling supremely well to take 3 for 25. There were some plusses for Glapwell in the shape of Dean Graney (41) and Nick Truswell (39 n.o.) with both batting well but they needed more than what they got.

As the day wore on the wicket dried out and got progressively better and Edwinstowe with skipper John Garnham (49 n.o.) and Pakistani Asif Zakir (43) both batting well saw their side home with three wickets to spare.

In division 2, league leaders Anston showed what a good side they are blasting a strong Farnsfield 2 nd side to defeat by 105 runs. Batting first Anston were well served by John Lyne (42), Mick Norbury (30) and Steven Lee (30 n.o.) as they amassed a good total of 224 for 5.

This proved to be easily enough as Farnsfield despite a tremendous knock of 63 from Glyn Edwards were all out for 119. Anston’s impressive all rounder Andrew Ruczenczyn with 6 for 37 did most of the damage but it was another good performance by the leaders who have now gleaned 73 points out of 80 in a tremendous start.

Blidworth came back to form with a fine all round display which took them to a winning draw over Ransome and Marles. Batting first Blidworth were well served by the old ‘war horse’ Ritchie Gibbons who made a brilliant 68, and David Mason (41) as their side reached 199 for 7. Ransomes skipper Gary Lambert carried the attack for his side picking up 4 for 46 in a good spell.

In reply Ransomes could only make 123 for 9 and thwart Blidworth from taking maximum points. Only Ian Sellars (34) made much impact as Ritchie Gibbons rolled back the years with a vintage all round show taking 3 for 16 to crown a great all round effort.

Whitwell who had made a poorish start to the season came right back to form with a good 44 run win over Pilsley. Batting first Whitwell were once again not firing on all cylinders making a cautious 148 for 6 with

Duncan Forrest propping up the innings with a fine unbeaten 50. Dave Schofield (3 for 31) was the best of the Pilsley attack taking 3 for 31 and they must have been feeling quite pleased at the half way stage.

It was not to be however and despite the usual brilliance of Saeed Bin Nasir who made 41 Pilsley were all back inside for a disappointing 104 runs. The perpetrator of this demise was Darren Westerby who bowled quite brilliantly to take 8 for 42 in a devastating spell. Westerby was totally unplayable and he turned the match round when Whitwell looked to be in imminent danger of another defeat.

Eckington pulverised Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2 nd by nine wickets at the Goosedale Sports Club. Batting first Notts. & Arnold were dismissed for just 132 with only Havinder Bhaker (31) and Harvey Burton (30) making much headway against some controlled medium paced bowling from Simon West who bagged 5 for 39 in a fine stint.

This proved no trouble to Eckington who look as though they will be a major threat to everyone. They galloped to victory with Rob Carlile making 47, Mark Bridgman (46 n.o.) and Andy Burns (20 n.o.) as they reached 133 for 1 to record a victory which will have everyone looking over their shoulders.

Another side who won’t be far away when the honours are decided is Bolsover and they crushed a game but outgunned Everton side by 130 runs at the Metcalf Ground. Batting first Bolsover were well served by Andy Rogers (31), Usman Saeed (47) and Steve Wooley (53) as they reached an imposing 225 all out. John Shaw bowled brilliantly for Everton taking 6 for 75 and even included a hat-trick amongst his wickets.

This target was far too much for Everton who despite a great knock of 37 by John Leach couldn’t cope with the potent Bolsover attack. Chris Pemberton (3 for 27) and Usman Saeed (3 for 9) did most of the damage in a good all round performance by the Bolsover side.

Papplewick & Linby 2 nd slumped to a seven wicket defeat at the hands of North Wheatley with Leverton at Papplewick Hall. Batting first Papplewick were held to 157 for 8 as the overs ran out with only a superb knock from Richard Arberry (61 n.o.) preventing an even worse catastrophe. Wayne Harrison (4 for 61) and James Crookes (3 for 55) were the Wheatley bowlers in form and their side performed well in the field.

The score provided no problems for Wheatley who sailed to a comfortable win on 158 for 3 with Nick Cleaver making a magnificent unbeaten 61 and Wayne Harrison completing a fine all round display with 40 runs. Cory Navin was the best of the Papplewick attack taking all three wickets to fall at a cost of 27 runs.