Kiveton press claim in style
by Paul Barker, 15th May 2005

The top two sides in Division 1 met on Saturday with Thoresby Colliery playing hosts to Kiveton Park and at the end of the match the positions had changed with the latter now at the head of the table. Batting first Kiveton survived a scare with Phil Cooper being dropped from the first ball he received and how dearly Thoresby were to pay for this indiscrimination.

At the end of the fifty overs Kiveton had reached a more than useful 236 for 0 with the Australian Peter Colebourne being unbeaten on 137 and Cooper remaining on 88 not out. Both batsmen played absolutely brilliantly after the early scare and at no time did the Thoresby attack which has proved extremely potent this season get to grips with the situation.

In reply Kiveton immediately got under Thoresby’s skin with early wickets and the league leaders were unceremoniously bowled out for just 105. Only Nigel Burkitt (35) showed much resistance as Richard Spurr (4 for 37) and undoubtedly the man of the match Peter Colebourne (4 for 8) bowled superbly.

Kiveton now head the table but there is an equal strength amongst many sides this season and it is envisaged that there will be a number of changes before the campaign is over. It must be said that Kiveton do look a good side but several others do and it would be a very foolish fellow to write off Thoresby after one slip-up.

Edwinstowe swamped Bridon by the huge margin of 196 runs at Forest Corner in a most one sided game. Batting first Edwinstowe rattled up a mighty 298 for 6 total with Australian Garth Brown making 59, Pakistani Asif Zakir 89 and Englishman Ian Smith (88) all scoring runs in double quick time. Bridon were well served by Australian pace man Justin Miller who took a creditable 3 for 61 considering the never ending onslaught.

Bridon were never in the match and Garth Brown with 5 for 42 was the prime wrecker as they were bowled out for just 102. Edwinstowe now move into a menacing second place and on the evidence of this performance will not be far away at the end of the campaign.

Farnsfield who had a great win over Marshalls last week, flopped back to their infuriating inconsistent style as they went down by 26 runs to Cuckney. Batting first Cuckney were well served by Richard Bostock (89) and Gareth Price (60) as they reached an impressive 202 all out which was a big improvement after some sensational recent collapses. Paul Franks who had a day off from Nottinghamshire duties took 6 for 19 in an impressive 12 over burst and Kiwi Mark Silcock bagged 3 for 55 in another good stint.

Despite a good 54 from David Bell and an impressive 32 by Mark Silcock, Farnsfield never looked like reaching their target and were bowled out for just 176. South African Richard Stroh (5 for 61) and Andy Stephenson (4 for 46) did most of the damage as Cuckney claimed a much needed win.

The best innings of the day came from Notts. & Arnold Amateur’s Australian Leigh Baldry who hammered a tremendous unbeaten 186 against promoted Killamarsh and this is now a new record since the league was reformed in 2001 and the second highest ever behind Ian Blackwell’s 213 against Bolsover back in 1997. Notts. & Arnold finished on a mammoth 307 for 7 with the big hitting Bill Trewartha making 55 to provide good support for Baldry who was certainly in a class of his own on this day.

Killamarsh were never likely to better this target but did manage a highly creditable 201 for 9 with Paul Burdett making 42 and the South African Hendrik Basson adding 36. Richard Crabtree also batted well to make an unbeaten 39, but for the second consecutive week Ian Flood was the major star with the ball taking 7 for 39 in another superb spell of bowling but Killamarsh’s last pair held out for a well earned draw.

Cutthorpe showed at last that they are not a team in decline as they hammered Worksop by a massive 129 runs at the Recreation Ground. Batting first Cutthorpe were well served by Andy Thompson who made a sparkling 80 and Arshad Latif who chipped in with 61 good runs after a scratchy start as Cutthorpe’s innings was closed on 238 for 6

Worksop were never in the game from this moment on and were bowled out for just 109. Several batsmen got in and then failed to go through with the effort with John McCollum being the dominant force in the Cutthorpe attack taking 4 for 27. Cutthorpe are now getting into gear and with Asadullah Butt back next week they will be a totally different proposition to face.

The final match in Division 1 saw Glapwell gain a winning draw over newly promoted Division 2 champions Marshalls . Batting first Glapwell could only muster 160 all out in a disappointing effort. Phil Matthews top scored with 35 and Mark Davies (4 for 33) and Tim Down (3 for 23) both bowled extremely well.

Marshalls looked to be coping quite comfortably when they stood at 90 for 1 but an astonishing middle order collapse saw them holding out on 149 for 7 as the overs ran out. Only Tim Down with 54 showed any sort of form and Marshalls will be regretting that they almost managed to turn an easy victory to a very near defeat.

Some sensational matches took place in Division 2 with Anston the league leaders losing their unbeaten record at the top in an exciting match against Ransome & Marles. Batting first Anston once again looked in prime form as they built up a substantial score line of 186 for 8 with John Lyne continuing his good form with a well made 76. Brett Richardson with 3 for 61 was the pick of the Ransomes attack but this score looked a useful one and it also looked as if it would take some beating.

Not a bit of it however and Ransomes with Joe Smith (41) and Tony Bettridge (49) playing the starring roles raced to a narrow three wicket win on 189 for 7. Anston skipper Ian Barley did his best to change the tide taking 4 for 52, but this was not to be Anston’s day but don’t write them off this was always going to be a ‘toughie’ and Ransomes in top gear are no ‘mugs’ for anybody.

An even better match took place at Farnsfield where their 2nds held off a determined effort from Whitwell in a game where 655 runs were scored and only fifteen wickets fell. Batting first, Farnsfield made a highly impressive 285 for 6 as the Whitwell attack toiled unmercifully as the ball raced to the boundary with repetitive ease. Gary Peck (44), Paul Delaney (62), Glyn Edwards (74) and Tim Corbyn (64 n.o.) were the chief instigators of this huge total and Whitwell must have felt very down at the half way stage.

By the time they had started their innings things had changed and Whitwell came out with all guns blazing. Dave Jessop made a glorious 109 and excellent support came from Darren Westerby (32) and Andy Shaw (33) in a brave and bold attempt to wrest victory. Whitwell finished on 241 for 9 and it was only a fine spell of bowling by Pete Wood (5 for 82) which turned the game in Farnsfield’s favour in a game which showed everything that is good in Bassetlaw League cricket.

Blidworth continued their climb up the league with a comfortable seven wicket win over North Wheatley with Leverton. Batting first North Wheatley made a useful 158 for 9 with Wayne Ellis top scoring on 68, but one had the feeling that this score would not be quite enough. David Wood (3 for 27) was the best of the Blidworth bowling attack which gave little away.

In reply Blidworth were once again indebted to a brilliant innings of 96 from David Mason who carried on his good work of the previous week. James Butler (3 for 11) took all the wickets to fall, but in this mood Blidworth do look a match for everyone.

The other relegated club Bolsover continue their climb up the table after a dodgy start as they easily blasted aside the efforts of Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2nds. Batting first the Notts. & Arnold side could only reach 126 all out despite two excellent innings by Phillip Allcock (43) and James Lees (40) which said little for the rest of their batting line up. Steve Wooley (4 for 26) and Usman Saeed (4 for 11) were the pick of the Bolsover attack in a good all round display in the field.

This total was nowhere near enough and Mark Bull (65 n.o.) led from the front in a stirring comeback to duties. He was well supported by Andy Crookes and Andy Rogers (23 n.o.) as Bolsover glided to a very easy nine wicket win.

Eckington who looked a very good side the previous week flopped badly to a 79 run defeat against Papplewick and Linby 2nds. Batting first Papplewick made a steady but unspectacular 173 for 7 with Gareth Wheeldon (87) and the assured Richard Arberry a very good 15 year old making a cultured 38. Dave Barton was the pick of the Eckington bowlers taking 3 for 63 in a good spell.

The one thing you can usually rely on is the Eckington batting strength but on this occasion it was not to be as they were bundled out for just 94 runs. Nobody made any impression as Cory Navin ((5 for 61) and Steve Alford (3 for 21) proved totally unplayable in a fine all round display by the talented Papplewick side.

Pilsley and Everton fought out a predictable drawn match with the home side taking the lions share of the points. Batting first Pilsley reached a massive 238 for 6 with Mark Limb (44), Saeed Bin Nasir (68) and Dave Wright (64) all batting superbly. Neil Waghorne (3 for 73) was the best Everton bowler but they certainly came under the ‘cosh’ as Pilsley blazed away at a frantic rate.

It seemed that this score would always be too much for the Everton side and so it transpired and whilst Robert Nicholas (39) and Mark Anthony (45) both batted extremely well, the Pilsley total was never threatened. Michael Thompson (4 for 26) was easily the best of the Pilsley bowling attack but the final score of 155 for 7 represented a good and dogged performance from Everton which will stand them well in their fight to move away from the foot of the table.