Holders shocked in Tomlins upsets
by Paul Barker, 19th June 2005

West Indian Cavaliers 2 nd pulled off a major surprise in the second round of this season’s Tomlin Trophy when they knocked out the holders Thoresby Colliery at Fourth Avenue by six wickets. This was an incredible result by a side from division 3 against a team well versed in this style of cricket who deservedly lifted the trophy for the first time last September.

Thoresby had celebrated going back to the top of Division 1 on Saturday but this game can quickly bring you down to earth and that is exactly what happened. Not that it looked that way as runs flowed from the bat early on with Thoresby piling on the pressure and making a more than useful 227 for 4. Martin Cheshire (51), Richard Hope (46), Farook Aziz (33) and Naeed Ahmed (38 n.o.) all batted well and this total looked rather daunting to say the least.

The one thing however when you are playing a side of West Indian origin is that they will go for any target even an unrealistic one and they did in this case right from the word go. Mohammed Masood (42) provided the ideal foil for Matt Clarke who literally smashed everything out of sight as he made a tremendous 147 n.o. to steer the Cavaliers home to a magnificent victory. What made matters even more impressive is that they did it with only ten men. So the holders are gone already and this proved not to be the only shock of the day.

One would have thought that after a confidence building win over Killamarsh the previous day, Worksop would have been really ‘up for it’ against Blidworth from Division 2. Not a bit of it as Worksop batted simply dreadfully and were all out for just 140 with the highest score being a meagre 17 runs! All the Blidworth bowlers helped themselves to wickets in a good all round team display.

This target proved way too short as Blidworth reached 141 for 5 without much trouble. David Mason (43) and David Willcock (33) scored the bulk of the runs which took Blidworth through to the next round and a trip to Edwinstowe.

Bridon who also had a great win the previous day over Farnsfield flopped badly and were drummed out by a jubilant Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2nds at Ordsall. Batting first Bridon were all out for a pathetic 100 runs with Nathan Flowers (3 for 14) and Darren Johnson (3 for 14) exacting most of the damage.

In reply Hosiery Mills cruised to victory with Bill Frodsham top scoring with 22 as they reached 101 for 3 to win by seven wickets. This result was never in much doubt from a long way out and Robert Ward (19 n.o.) and Asela Jayasinghe (11 n.o.) finished the job off in some style.

Bolsover who are enjoying a great season were much too hot for Farnsfield who have certainly not enjoyed this weekend. Although the rains fell to prevent a finish enough overs were bowled to constitute a result and Bolsover were going to win anyway so it made little difference.

Batting first the Bolsover batsmen in the shape of Mark Bull (90 n.o.) and Andy Rogers a fantastic 101 saw Bolsover race to an enormous total of 271 for 6 in their 40 overs. New Zealander Mark Silcock took 3 for 15, which shows just how many the rest conceded and must have had him ‘tearing his hair out’ at what else was being served up at the Bolsover batsmen.

In reply Farnsfield stood on 108 for 8 when rain curtailed the match at the 26 over stage. All the Bolsover attack excelled themselves none more so than skipper Charlie Walker who bowled splendidly to take 2 for 13 in an excellent spell. This means according to the rules of the competition, Bolsover go through and quite rightly so because there was certainly no mileage left for Farnsfield in this match.

The two matches which went to form took place at Anston and Kiveton Park . In the first match at Ryton Road , Anston could only make 134 for 9 with skipper Ian Barley top scoring with 51 against a rampant Glapwell side. Iain O’Brien proved virtually unplayable and bowled superbly, taking 5 for 19 in his eight allocated over spell.

The Glapwell reply came at super-charged pace and after only 10.5 overs they had reached 136 for 2 and victory. The talented left hander Nick Truswell with a dominating 56 was the star of the show as Glapwell coasted through with eight wickets to spare.

Kiveton Park completed a top class weekend for themselves with a huge 126 run win over neighbours Killamarsh. Batting first Kiveton amassed 246 for 4 with Pete Coleborne (73), Phil Cooper (72), and Dean Walker (33) blasting the Killamarsh bowling to all corners of the Stone Close ground. South African Hennie Basson was the best of the overworked attack taking 4 for 59 in his eight overs.

Killamarsh were never in the game from this point and were dismissed for just 120. David Allen (35) and Paul Burdett (34) were the only batsmen to come to terms with Kyle McKeeman (3 for 23) and Peter Coleborne (3 for 17) as Kiveton recorded a rather easy victory.

The last game scheduled for this round saw Cutthorpe gain the easiest passage of the day when opponents Marshalls could not raise a side and were eliminated. Cutthorpe go through to the next round by default.

The draw for the Quarter Finals which must be played by 31 st July is Edwinstowe v Blidworth; Glapwell v West Indian Cavaliers 2 nd; Cutthorpe v Bolsover; and Kiveton Park v Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2 nd.