Glapwell attain the summit
by Paul Barker, 10th July 2005

It seems that a different team is at the top of Division 1 every week and after a match that had more twists and turns than most, Glapwell have reached the top of the mountain this week for the very first time this season. They beat relegation haunted Killamarsh by 22 runs in a match that looked to be going against them for a long while until New Zealand test star Iain O’Brien returned for a devastating second spell which wrecked the Killamarsh innings after they had looked well set for victory.

Batting first Glapwell had slumped to 39 for 4, but their current side certainly has some ‘steel’ about them and they fought back extremely well after these early setbacks. Mohammad Agshad (34) and in particular Phil Matthews (59 n.o.) steadied the ship and then drafted on enough runs to present a worthwhile target of 182 for 9. South African Hennie Basson with 4 for 42 was the pick of a Killamarsh attack who must have been disappointed that they failed to press home their earlier advantages.

Killamarsh then made an excellent start with Paul Burdett (53) and Rodney Cook (55) setting them well on the way to victory but it all changed when O’Brien brought himself back on for a second spell which was to prove deadly. The Kiwi star whose two test wickets are Matthew Hayden and Damion Martyn showed what a fine bowler he is as he reduced the Killamarsh innings to tatters taking 8 for 34 and proving absolutely unplayable as Killamarsh were rolled over at 160 all out.

Glapwell showed with both bat and ball that they certainly have got what it takes. They were struggling with both but in the end managed to turn it right around and that is what good sides can do. Killamarsh are still struggling near the foot of the table but there must be hope for them when they can run a side as good as Glapwell so close. If they can learn to press home any advantage that comes their way, they should be alright.

Worksop had looked as though they had turned the corner in recent weeks, but Edwinstowe completely wrecked them in devastating style at Central Avenue by seven wickets. Batting first Worksop were dismissed for just 96 and had it not been for their recent new signing Ramesh Sanjay who made a superb 42, one dreads to think how few they would have made.

The perpetrator of the damage was Richard Gombos who in a spell which was as unplayable as you are likely to see, took 9 for 41. Gombos is in top form at the minute and is without question a handful for any side and he certainly was much too good for Worksop.

The reply was swift and extremely final as Garth Brown (46 n.o.) and Asif Zakir (30) exorcised any demons what may have been in the wicket and coasted to 97 for 3 with consummate ease. This win moves Edwinstowe up to second place and still very much in the fray for the title.

Farnsfield and Kiveton Park fought out a great match at Station Lane with the home side triumphing by five wickets on as good a wicket as you are likely to see anywhere. Batting first the brilliant 16 year old Phil Cooper led the charge with all the shots in the book as he made a magnificent 95 and was extremely unfortunate not to complete what would have been a superb century. Mark Silcock who was later to show that he is a top flight all rounder took 7 for 43 in a splendid spell of accurate bowling that troubled everyone.

The Farnsfield reply was superbly timed with everyone playing a part as they reached victory on 219 for 5. James Bennett (32) got them away to a brisk start and this was carried forward by Paul Franks (61 n.o.), skipper Andy Edwards (38) and Mark Silcock (41 n.o.). This was a fine match which had everything including some truly memorable contributions from some very good players with both bat and ball.

Cutthorpe beat lowly Bridon by three wickets at the Recreation Ground after looking completely down and out at one time. Batting first, Bridon were in trouble at 44 for 3 but pulled themselves out of the mess making exactly 200 all out in the last over. Simon Fenwick (30) and Justin Miller (34 n.o.) top scored for Bridon whilst Asadullah Butt (4 for 51) was the best of the Cutthorpe bowlers.

The problem for Cutthorpe was the ridiculous amount of no-balls that they bowled which amounted to 19 in all which meant Bridon had 53.1 overs bowled at them and this might well have cost them dear in the end.

As usual Andy Thompson moved Cutthorpe away to a blistering start before top edging a skier after a quick fire 40, but from this point wickets fell at regular intervals and with Cutthorpe on 136 for 7 only one result seemed possible. From that point, Ejaz Khan decided that attack was the best form of defence and took on all the bowlers with sixes flying to all parts at regular intervals. Along with Billy Wilkinson who ducked into a ball from Justin Miller, they added an unbroken 65 and sent the Cutthorpe side into ecstasy as they knocked off the runs at 201 for 7 to give them a three wicket win.

This win still keeps Cutthorpe on the fringe of things whilst Bridon must have thought that they would be moving away from the bottom but it was not to be. Wilkinson thanks to the protective helmet quickly recovered but it just goes to show what sense it is to wear one when you see something like this happen. In no way was the bowler to blame because the ball was never short but it was a sickening thud and without the use of a helmet it could have been very nasty indeed.

Miller bowled right through the innings taking 4 for 67 in 25 hostile overs and had he received the support he deserved from the other end the result may well have been very different. Ejaz Khan was without question the Cutthorpe hero and made an unbeaten 56 in a brave and hard hitting knock which gave his side a memorable victory.

Notts. & Arnold Amateur would appear to be the cut-off target in Division 1 even at this stage of the season. Whilst the title can still go in any way of seven directions, it now seems that the relegation trapdoor is becoming a two out of four scenario with the Nottingham side the only team that has nothing at all to worry about. Notts. And Arnold will certainly not challenge for the title and they would have to go completely to pieces to get sucked into the relegation issue. In other words one would assume they are booked for mid-table safety, no more, no less.

They made relatively easy meat of Marshalls whose form in the last two matches seems to have taken a massive down slide. Batting first Notts. & Arnold made 207 all out with Ian Flood (35), Danny Nicholls (38), Gareth Chapple (36) and Phil Allcock (37) all making major contributions. On this day of brilliant individual bowling achievements Andy West kept up the trend taking 7 for 40 in a fine spell of swing bowling.

This target was miles too much for Marshalls who were bowled out for just 97 and their batting must be giving them cause for concern after making only one run more when they lost to Killamarsh last week. Scott Leivers (4 for 30), Paul Murphy (3 for 14) and Gareth Chapple (3 for 12) were the wicket takers for Notts. & Arnold who picked up twenty points with consummate ease.

Bolsover who have been flying at the top of Division 2 were nearly brought down to earth at Pilsley and had it not been for the supreme bowling skills of Usman Saeed (7 for 58) might well have lost for the first time this season. Batting first Bolsover were dismissed for just 155 with Mark Bull unfortunately being run out for 40, and Steve Wooley (34) top scoring for them. Michael Thompson (3 for 16) was once again the pick of the Pilsley attack but this score did look gettable and Pilsley must have been the happier side at teatime.

As it happened Pilsley were finally stranded on 145 for 9 at the finish and settled for a losing draw. Saeed Bin Nasir top scored with 51 but was not his usual fluent self and was dropped on three occasions. Bolsover can count themselves rather lucky in this aspect because to drop Saeed once is a criminal offence, to do it three times and still get him out for 51 is tempting fate a little too much but they managed it on the day and still retain their position at the top.

Ransome & Marles who had an awful run which saw them arrive at third from the foot of the table a few weeks ago are now in top gear and their latest victims second placed Blidworth were soundly beaten by four wickets as the Newark side made it 60 points out of 60 in the last three matches. Only Dave Willcock (32) made any headway against the Ransomes attack in which Gary Lambert (5 for 56) and Australian Brett Richardson (4 for 41) bowled Blidworth out for a rather inadequate 122 runs.

Not that this proved easy and Blidworth with Rohal Sharma (3 for 28) bowling excellently captured six wickets before Ransomes finally arrived at 125 for 6 and victory. Nigel Murray who is in a rich vein of form at the moment was unbeaten on 38 and this side will continue to cause problems for everyone when they play to the fullest of their capabilities.

Anston produced another massive score of 257 for 5 as they attained a winning draw at Everton. Jonathan Geary (82), Michael Norbury (94 n.o.) and Nigel Staniland (32) were the chief run getters in this massive total which was always going to be a daunting prospect for any side.

As it was Everton made sure they picked up six points which will help them in the struggle which lies ahead. Their classy young opening bat John Mimms batted brilliantly to make 102 and is without question a very talented player. Everton completed their 46 overs on 154 for 5 and Anston moved firmly back into contention at the top.

Eckington moved stealthily up into third place with a massive victory margin of 171 runs over bottom of the table Notts. & Arnold Amateurs 2 nd. Batting first on another Chris Drury ‘special’, Eckington rattled up the enormous total of 316 for 9 in their 46 overs with a brilliant 103 from James Daniel which was superbly supplemented by Tom Dawson (50) and Rob Carlile (40) as Eckington went ‘run crazy’. To be fair Notts. & Arnold stuck to an impossible task well and Matt Gillham (4 for 86) and Richard Pallister (3 for 56) got their reward for some extremely hard work which they had to endure.

This score was enough to frighten anybody and Notts. & Arnold were bowled out for just 145 in reply. Only Jeff Ainger (55 n.o.) defied the Eckington attack in which Dave Barton (5 for 50) was particularly outstanding. Eckington are getting closer and closer to the top every week and in their best form are a danger for everyone.

Whitwell are certainly an in and out side! When they lose they are usually thrashed out of sight, but they are also capable of pulling off a major surprise as they have shown on numerous occasions this season. Their latest exploit was a winning draw against North Wheatley and Leverton who they have now moved 21 points clear of.

Batting first, Whitwell made a more than useful 206 for 5 with Duncan Forrest (50 n.o.) and a hurricane unbeaten 90 from Nathan Morris making up 75% of this total. James Blackwell (3 for 60) was the best of the North Wheatley attack but this score looked quite a good one and the home side quickly found this was the case when their innings began.

Wickets fell at regular intervals as Whitwell immediately took command of the situation. Only Dave Horner (30) and Will Saville (28) made much impact as Darren Westerby (2 for 28) and Keith Morton (2 for 25) bowled tidy, accurate spells to have Wheatley in trouble. At the close the home side managed to hold out on 156 for 8 with Whitwell capturing the bulk of the points.

The final match in this section saw Farnsfield 2 nd claim a much needed four wicket win over a Papplewick and Linby 2 nd team who have slumped alarmingly over the last few weeks. Batting first Papplewick made a reasonable total of 181 for 6 with Graham Roberts (47) and Ian Hardy (42 n.o.) top scoring. Richard Corbyn (4 for 32) was the pick of the Farnsfield attack which stuck to its task well in the hot and sticky conditions.

For once the Farnsfield batting held up and Tom Corbyn (62 n.o.) and Trevor West (37 n.o.) guided them to a much needed victory as they reached 184 for 6. Although Ian Hardy (2 for 62) and Neil Birch (2 for 33) bowled well the total required never really looked enough and Farnsfield will be very grateful for these points which may well give them a much needed boost.