Edwinstowe move to the summit
by Paul Barker, 22nd May 2005

Whilst the ending of the match had its fair share of controversy, when all matter were resolved, Edwinstowe moved to the top of the Bassetlaw League Division 1 by virtue of gaining a winning draw over Killamarsh.

The controversy was over the rules of the league regarding a rain affected match which this was, but Edwinstowe by clever use of their bowling managed to fit in the full 50 overs within the time allowed to complete the game.

Batting first Edwinstowe reached 224 for 9 with Garth Brown (56), Asif Zakir (42) and Ian Smith (35) doing exactly what they had done the previous week, dominating the score to a major extent. For Killamarsh the ‘Prodigal Son’ Adrian Rivington bowled at his very best to take 4 for 27 in a brilliant spell of swing bowling.

The Killamarsh reply never looked likely to top the score required and they were left on 145 for 7 when the overs ran out. Garth Brown showed what an asset he is for Edwinstowe taking 3 for 29, but they couldn’t complete the job although they picked up a very useful 17 points.

Kiveton Park ’s tenure at the top came to an abrupt halt as they lost by two wickets to a much more determined Bridon side at Ordsall. Bridon had been soundly thrashed the previous week by Edwinstowe and were hell-bent on avenging this tame capitulation and they did so in great style against what is undoubtedly one of the strongest combinations in the division.

Batting first, Kiveton appear to have unearthed a real ‘diamond’ in Australian batsman Peter Coleborne who carried on his great recent form with a brilliant 74. He received excellent support from Lee Brookes who made 34 but one had the idea that the 186 all out total might be a few short of what was needed on a very good wicket.

Colin ‘Percy’ Hurst rolled back the years with a masterful display of controlled left arm swing bowling taking a mightily impressive 5 for 34 in a tremendous stint for Bridon.

However in the light of what had happened the previous week one would not have liked to have put money on Bridon whose batting is prone to collapses at times. A brave and bold effort by skipper Rob Smart (55) helped them along and they finally reached their target of 187 but with only two wickets to spare as the winning hit was made.

Dean Walker (4 for 58) and Richard Spurr (3 for 71) both bowled brilliantly for Kiveton and must have wished for another 30 runs to defend. It was not to be however and Bridon registered a much needed and unexpected win which will do their confidence a power of good.

Thoresby Colliery completely thrashed Cutthorpe who the previous week had looked like coming back to their very best. Batting first Thoresby made a respectable 216 for 9 with Steve Willis (45) and the in-form Naeed Ahmed (51) being the chief run getters. Asadullah Butt who returned this week took 3 for 69 and reminded everyone around what a good player he is.

In reply Cutthorpe were bowled out for a pathetic 123 and had it not been for Butt (47) it would obviously have been much worse. Billy Lippeatt (4 for 27) was the leading wicket taker and there was also a couple of wickets each for Shailesh Patel, Naeed Ahmed and Steve Willis in a fine all round display by the Thoresby side.

A team just bubbling under the surface that are capable of giving grief to all the others in this section is most definitely Glapwell. Last season they bowled out Notts. & Arnold Amateur for just 29 runs and although this side did rather better this time around the result was just as emphatic.

Batting first after being put in, Glapwell built on a steady opening stand between Dean Graney who batted superbly for his 61 and Lee Topham. With 100 on the board and eight wickets in hand and 14 overs still in the bank, Glapwell could afford to chance their arm and did so in spectacular fashion.

With Matt Hall (40) providing the calming influence, Nick Truswell went to town with a dazzling display of shots which included five sixes in just two overs off Ian Flood who had taken 13 wickets in his previous two matches. Truswell totally dominated the bowling making a magnificent 77 before stupidly running himself out attempting a non-existent second run.

Glapwell finished with the highly impressive 236 for 6 with only the wiles of slow bowler Gareth Chapple (3 for 61) posing any threat to them.

In reply Notts. & Arnold moved away to a sedate start but after Matt Hall had struck the opening blow a glut of wickets followed to form a procession. Hall captured the first four wickets including the dangerous Bill Trewartha first ball and all the fight drained from the Nottingham side as Hall and Kiwi test star Iain O’Brien turned the screw.

When O’Brien bowled the gifted Australian Leigh Baldry it was as good as over and despite a determined unbeaten 31 by Pete Evans, Notts. & Arnold were eventually bowled out for 102, losing the game by 134 runs.

Hall and O’Brien who on this form must be the most lethal opening attack in the league did most of the damage with the former taking 5 for 49 and the latter 3 for 45 in devastating spells. Gary Saxby came on at the end to claim 2 for 6 and Glapwell could feel extremely pleased with themselves for doing a thoroughly professional job.

Cuckney claimed a winning draw against promoted Marshalls in a hard fought encounter at Langwith Road . Batting first Cuckney totalled a determined 218 for 9 with Richard Bostock (31) and South African Richard Stroh (58) sharing the starring roles. Paul Van den Heuvel with 4 for 47 was the pick of the Marshalls bowlers and this was not to be his last significant contribution of the day.

To their credit, Marshalls had a good dart at this target closing on 188 for 6 and if anyone else other than Mark Davies who made a good 32 had given Van den Heuvel the support he deserved they may well have pulled off a shock win.

Van den Heuvel closed on 100 n.o., a superb effort, and after this performance he must have felt a little miffed not to have ended up on the winning side. Richard Stroh followed up his fine effort with the bat taking 3 for 49 but this was most definitely the Paul Van den Heuvel show and rarely can one man have dominated a game so much and failed to end up on the winning side.

Fasnsfield would surely have beaten Worksop had it not been for the intervention of the weather. Batting first Worksop made a respectable 219 for 4 with Steve Bentley (40), Glenn Pym (51), Jamil Hassan (66 n.o.) and Tim Ward (32) all batting better and showing there is more ability in the side than some of the low scores attained recently would suggest. Neil Sharpe bowled well for Farnsfield to take 3 for 65 and prevented Worksop from building up an even bigger total.

Right from the start, Farnsfield kept on top of the job in hand and Paul Delaney (66) blazed a trail as the score moved rapidly along. With the clouds thickening play had to be curtailed with Farnsfield on 161 for 4 and another 20 overs still to be bowled. With only another 59 runs needed and on a terrific wicket Farnsfield must have been clear favourites but the beauty of this wonderful game called cricket is that we will never know!

Anston made an instant recovery from last week’s setback by annihilating Whitwell by a massive 117 runs at The Rookery. Batting first Anston attained 202 for 6 with Kev. Vollans leading the charge with a splendid 84. Andrew Shaw was the pick of the Whiwell attack claiming 3 for 36 in a good tidy stint of bowling.

The target set was much more than enough as Whitwell were dismissed for just a paltry 85 runs. None of the home side’s batsmen covered themselves with glory as Andrew Ruczenczyn (3 for 18) and Ian Barley (4 for 27) proved much too good for them. Anston certainly look a good side and they were relatively unconcerned by last week’s setback and bounced right back to their best.

Blidworth kept up the pressure in second place with a resounding six wicket win over Eckington at Burmah Road . Batting first the heavy scoring Eckington side were pegged back and only Tom Dawson (34) made any impact against Dave Wood (4 for 61) and Richard Smith (5 for 45) as they struggled along to 162 all out.

This was never going to be enough as Dave Mason kept his great run of form going with a brilliant unbeaten 76 and he received fine support from Matt. Slade with 35. Dave Barton (4 for 56) grabbed every wicket to fall but this was a token gesture as Blidworth coasted to a big win over a good side to enhance their bid of moving back up at the first time of asking.

The other relegated side Bolsover are creating a similar pattern and although they could not totally see off the challenge of Farnsfield 2nds they did enough to pick up 17 points for a winning draw.

Batting first Bolsover reached a huge 235 for 6 total with Matt. Bull (33) and Matt Griffith (34) playing the supporting role to the brilliant Andy Rogers who caned the Farnsfield attack for a magnificent 109 runs. Shots flew to all parts of the ground as Rogers flamed the score along and it could have been much worse without the stout hearted efforts of Matt. Williams who claimed 3 for 39 for Farnsfield.

This target was always going to be a big problem and it proved a step too far for Farnsfield who finished on 141 for 8. Phil Tyler batted splendidly to make an unbeaten 56 but Chris Pemberton (3 for 51) and the rest of the Bolsover attack were not to be denied but they could not prise out the final two wickets and had to be content with a winning draw.

Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2nds managed a good winning draw against North Wheatley with Leverton who have been in good form of late. Batting first the Notts. & Arnold side reached a massive 238 for 9 with major contributions coming from Danny Nicholls (59), Phil Allcock (48), David Sells (36) and Gary Woods (32 n.o.).

North Wheatley then decided that defence was the better part of valour and were content to see time out on 151 for 4 with Wayne Harrison top scoring on 46. Richard Pallister claimed three of the wickets to fall at a personal cost of 48 runs, but that cutting edge needed never looked sharp enough to get the breakthroughs required.

The last two matches in Division 2 were both badly affected by the rain. At Papplewick, the home side’s 2 nd XI managed a respectable 186 for 9 against lowly Everton who were probably a little unlucky not to have won this match. Gary Wheeldon made 52, and Mark Birkin (35) in the Papplewick total and John Shaw bowled superbly to claim 5 for 61 for Everton.

In reply in a time match Everton reached a highly respectable 160 for 6 with Chris Anthony (48) and the very talented John Mimms (36) both batting well. However they could not keep up with the scoring rate required and both teams had to be satisfied with the draw.

At Elm Avenue , Ransomes batting first reached 207 for 6 against Pilsley with Nigel Murray (88) and Peter Litchfield (48) leading the charge. This was the last of proceedings as a heavy downpour throughout the tea interval made sure that Pilsley never had the chance to see what they could offer.