Kiveton pip Notts & Arnold in thriller
by Paul Barker, 19th June 2005

Two sides that have shown completely indifferent form this season, Kiveton Park and Notts. & Arnold Amateur provided an absolute feast of entertainment and a thrilling climax at Stone Close on Saturday. Kiveton have been in woeful form of late, whilst Notts. & Arnold are in a transitional period which has seen them have three captains already this term.

Kiveton were up amongst the favourites for the title at the start of the season and their early form suggested this was likely to be the case, but a couple of recent setbacks began to pour doubts on their ability. However their batting once again came back to what everyone knew was capable of them with a staggering score of 276 for 3 which had the Notts. & Arnold attack wilting under the pressure applied to them. Australian Peter Coleborne made a magnificent 136 and was aided and abetted by the classy Phil Cooper who added 83 with some glorious strokes all around the wicket.

The Australian national side have made an auspicious start since they arrived here with out of nature results in all their games, but their was nothing wrong with their fellow countrymen in this match. Leigh Baldry the elegant left hander decided that what one could do, he could do just as well and set about trying to achieve this massive target and win the game for his side.

Baldry made a tremendous 105 and with help from David Evans (32) and Gary Chapple (54) they so nearly pulled off an amazing win. In fact if Chapple had not been run out in the final over they would probably have done it but in the end were bowled out for 274 to lose by just two runs! This was what cricket is all about and it was also a tremendous advert for Bassetlaw League cricket. Both sides played to win from the off and it was a shame that one had to lose in the end.

Cuckney who have stormed up the league in recent weeks showed what a good side they are when they easily beat league leaders Edwinstowe at Forest Corner by 53 runs. Batting first, Cuckney made a less than impressive 176 all out with South African star, Richard Stroh top scoring on 67.

Stroh has proved a more than adequate replacement for Dave Newman and along with Daniel Brown (53) scored the bulk of the runs for Cuckney who were hampered in their progress by some first class bowling from Richard Gombos (3 for 23) and Asif Zakir who was a constant threat with 6 for 38.

Only Ian Smith (41) made much impact for Edwinstowe and it soon became evident that they were not going to reach the target set as the Cuckney attack applied the screws.

Finally Edwinstowe were bowled out for just 123 with Karl Musgrove being the most productive bowler for Cuckney with 3 for 14 but that man Stroh as usual must not be forgotten. It was he who captured both Garth Brown and Asif Zakir and from that moment on Edwinstowe were on the back foot and never recovered.

Thoresby Colliery are another side who have recovered after a blip and they confirmed this with a comfortable 54 run win over Marshalls at Middlefield Lane . Batting first, Thoresby made a huge 250 for 5 with Nigel Burkitt in prime form with a magnificent 109. Great support came from Martin Cheshire (42), David Irvine (32) and Naeed Ahmed who is having a great season with 30. Andrew West was the pick of the Marshalls attack with four of the five wickets to fall at a personal cost of 51 runs.

In reply Marshalls made a decent effort before being bowled out for 196. For the second consecutive week, Mark Whitlam top scored with an impressive 39, and Chris Needham also batted well to make 33. The rest however could not cope with Shailesh Patel (4 for 42) and that man Naeed Ahmed who completed a fine all round match with 3 for 46.

Cutthorpe who had been making steady progress up the league came down to earth with a bump as Glapwell continued their good run with a comfortable six wicket win at Park Avenue . Batting first Cutthorpe were in serious trouble on 30 for 3 before a late assault primarily from Tim Barlow (41) saw them reach a respectable 194 for 9 in their 50 overs. Iain O’Brien who is now finding his best form took 5 for 46 in an hostile and extremely accurate stint.

This target was never going to be enough and Dean Graney and Lee Topham got Glapwell away to a fine start which set the tone for the match. Graney went on to make a fine 50, and Asgar Mohammed (38) as Glapwell cruised to victory in style. Asadullah Butt (3 for 88) tried his best but this total was never enough to defend and Glapwell cruised to victory on 195 for 4.

Farnsfield who looked to have put their old inconsistent ways behind them showed that they haven’t as they went down to lowly Bridon at Ordsall by 23 runs. Bridon took advantage of a near perfect wicket making 234 for 9 with Simon Fenwick (94) and Darren Spooner (46) both batting brilliantly. Phil Creswell with 4 for 47 was the best of a wilting Farnsfield attack but this score looked within reach on such a good pitch.

Despite fine knocks by James Bennett (57) and Paul Delaney (56), Farnsfield simply couldn’t cope with Australian pace man Justin Miller (5 for 56) and Darren Spooner (4 for 76) and were bowled out for 211 giving Bridon a much needed maximum.

Bridon needed this win badly and it will have lifted their confidence no end. As for Farnsfield just when one was thinking that things were looking good for them, they let everyone down. One day the real Farnsfield will emerge and someone will get one hell of a tanking. They are certainly capable of beating the best, the problem is if they know it.

Worksop who were becoming adrift at the foot of the table did their prospects a power of good as they took a much needed maximum from Killamarsh in a low scoring encounter at Central Avenue. Batting first, Worksop made an extremely modest 145 for 9 with only Simon Mills (47 n.o.) making any impression at all against Peter Allen (3 for 16) and Adrian Rivington (3 for 28).

One would have expected Killamarsh to easily reach this target, but for once Worksop bowled and fielded to their full capability and reaped full reward for their efforts. Only South African Hennie Basson (37) made any impression as Glenn Pym (3 for 18) and Paul Burton who bowled unchanged throughout to claim 6 for 38 bowled them out for just 128 runs to give Worksop a 17 run win.

Killamarsh will wonder how they lost this one, but Worksop might well have thrown themselves a lifeline if they can believe in themselves like they did in this one.

In Division 2 the battle of the big boys, Blidworth and Bolsover turned out to be a one sided mauling by the latter over the former. Batting first Bolsover simply flamed the Blidworth bowling to all parts of the ground making 251 for 3 in their 46 overs. The main protagonist of this assault was Usman Saeed who blazed his way to his third century of the season with a mightily impressive unbeaten 107. Steve Wooley weighed in with 58 as Bolsover administered their version of ‘to hell and back’ on the Blidworth attack.

It was much the same after tea and despite a bold and brave effort by Craig Turton who batted superbly for his 88, Blidworth were all back inside for 174 to lose by a convincing 77 runs. Usman Saeed decided to rub further salt in the wounds taking 4 for 29 and certainly deserved the chance to put his feet up at the end of what must have been a wonderful but extremely tiring day for him. Bolsover look in great form at the minute and it will take a really good side to stop their march on the Division 2 title.

Anston at their best are the most likely to trouble them and they came back to form with a winning draw against North Wheatley with Leverton at Ryton Road . Batting first they put merciless pressure on the North Wheatley attack as they smashed their way to a mammoth 279 for 8.

As if Dean Brearley (68) and John Lyne (63) was not enough, North Wheatley then had to run the gauntlet which was the clubbing bat of Andrew Ruczenczyn. This powerful stroke maker raced to his fifty off just 24 balls and was finally run out for 81 off just 37 in a tremendous assault which must have made the North Wheatley attack think that shopping with their wives was a better occupation than this. Not to be outdone however Martin Pring did do quite well taking 3 for 63 in a good spell despite the carnage caused by Ruczenczyn.

North Wheatley then made a good effort to come to terms with this on what was as good a wicket as you are likely to encounter anywhere. Runs flowed from the bat of Dave Waller (63) and Wayne Harrison (60) but this huge target was always going to be too much for them but they did finish on a highly creditable 204 for 5. Anston skipper Ian Barley was the best bowler on view taking 3 for 52 but Anston look back in good form and are a match for anyone when they play like this.

Eckington are another side who are coming through on the rails and they pulled off a great win over Pilsley who have enjoyed a marvellous run lately. Batting first Eckington made a useful looking 191 for 9 with Chris Ludlam (67) top scoring. For Pilsley their opening attack of Michael Thompson (3 for 40) and Dave Schofield (3 for 63) bowled tidily and extremely accurately.

The only problem with Pilsley on this day was that Saeed Bin Nasir received little or no support from the rest of the batting. Bin Nasir made a tremendous 71, but superb bowling from James Daniel (7 for 49) and Wayne Dye (3 for 23) saw Pilsley dismissed for just 162 to lose by 29 runs. Had there been any support for Bin Nasir the result may have been very different, but it was not forthcoming in this match. Eckington continue to make good progress and will not be far away at the end of the campaign.

Everton claimed their first win of the season with a tremendous performance to see off the challenge of Papplewick & Linby 2nds at the Metcalf Ground. Batting first Papplewick who seem to be on a win one, lose one ratio at the moment made a reasonable 171 all out with Adam Somekh (59) and Nazrim Sookram (39) top scoring. Andy Snell (4 for 42) and John Waghorne (6 for 37) shared the wickets between them in an excellent display of line and length bowling at its best.

Despite losing their highly talented opener John Mimms (32), Everton never relaxed their grip and ran out winners by an impressive seven wicket margin. Mark Anthony (63 n.o.) and James Lugg (49 n.o.) eventually saw their side to a much needed and deserved success and Everton can build on their confidence after this superb showing.

Ransome and Marles who have been suffering from a torrid run at the moment grabbed a much needed winning draw against Farnsfield 2 nd who need the points just as much as they do. Ransomes totalled an impressive 250 for 3 with Jonathan Aspden (78), Nigel Murray (85) and Tony Betteridge (38 n.o.) all batting quite brilliantly.

In reply Farnsfield were never quite up with the pace and closed on 196 for 6 with Mick Hodgkin (48), Trevor West (32) and Garry Wilson (31 n.o.) all batting well but getting behind the clock and the required rate needed. This was primarily due to an excellent spell of bowling by Gary Lambert (5 for 64) who guided his side to a much needed 16 points.

The final match in the section saw Notts & Arnold Amateur 2 nd pull off a very important win over Whitwell. Notts & Arnold who were anchored at the foot of the table must have been worried again as they were limited to 160 for 7 with Jimmy Lees (36) and Phil Allcock (41) scoring the bulk of the runs. Nathan Morris was the best of the Whitwell attack taking 3 for 57.

One would have expected a close game from this position, but Whitwell’s batting was simply dreadful as Jimmy Lees (4 for 15) and Martin Mitchell (3 for 6) cut through them like a knife through butter and they were dismissed for a pathetic 66 runs. This gave Notts & Arnold a massive boost and a 94 run win which will boost their hopes of getting out of trouble. Any more performances like this one and Whitwell will be slipping into deep trouble themselves. They are better than this and must recover immediately before doubts start to spread in.