Farnsfield make their move
by Paul Barker, 24th July 2005

After an indifferent start to the season, Farnsfield are now putting it all together and beginning to justify their position as favourites for the title at the start of the season. Their latest victims were Killamarsh who although they are facing a relegation battle themselves, have had the happy knack of knocking people of their perches all season.

Make no mistake about it, Killamarsh were not bad, it was that Farnsfield were very good and in this type of form everybody else in the league should be worried. A score of 202 for 6 would have troubled many sides but it was simply brushed aside as Farnsfield raced past it with nine wickets to spare in an awesome display.

Killamarsh made a rather disastrous start arriving at a desperate 86 for 6, before a tremendous stand of 116 by Sam Malpass (75 n.o.) and Adrian Rivington (48 n.o.) gave them a reasonable total of 202 for 6 when the 50 overs ran out.

Although this seemed to be a decent enough total it was soon to prove totally ineffective as Paul Delaney (38) and skipper Andy Edwards in particular soon showed what quality is all about as they put on 188 for the very first wicket in double quick time. Edwards made a sensational unbeaten 140 as Farnsfield showed what a power they can be when they are firing on all cylinders. Elliott Hind (7 n.o.) came in to finish the job off with his skipper and without question if this form is maintained, only one side’s name will be engraved on the trophy at the end of the season.

With leaders Edwinstowe sitting this weekend out, Glapwell went back to the top of the tree, courtesy of a winning draw over struggling Marshalls . Batting first Glapwell showed all their mettle with a well constructed 248 for 5 with their excellent young all rounder Matt Hall top scoring with a brilliant unbeaten 101.

Other stylish contributions came from Rob Davison (53), Lee Topham (34) and Brian Smyth (34 n.o.) as the total grew increasingly higher. The problem is at the current moment the Park Avenue wicket is probably the best it has ever been, and it is a difficult job to get anybody out who doesn’t want to be.

This fact was proved as Marshalls Australian skipper Tim Down emulated Hall’s feat for Glapwell with a magnificent unbeaten 112 as his side reached a creditable 208 for 5 in reply. Mark Whitlam who has grown in statue throughout the season made a good 39, whilst Iain O’Brien was once again the pick of the Glapwell attack taking 3 for 42.

Thoresby Colliery are also still in the picture after a 31 run win over bottom of the table side Bridon. Batting first, Thoresby found themselves in a spot of bother as they capitulated to 89 for 5 with only Zimbabwean David Irvine (37) making any impact amongst the early order. However a huge stand between Richard Hope (40 n.o.) and Naeed Ahmed (88) turned the spotlight around and as the 50 overs ran out, Thoresby reached a far more comfortable total of 222 for 8.

Simon Davison with 3 for 50 bowled well for Bridon as did Colin ‘Percy’ Hurst on his return to first team duty with 3 for 37 from his excellent line and length deliveries.

Another great stalwart from the Bridon past Rob McLeod also returned and it was fitting that he should top score with 56, but after a promising start, Bridon slumped to an all out total of 191. Shailesh Patel (3 for 34) and the wicket taker ‘supreme’ Bill Lippeatt (4 for 56) did most of the damage as Thoresby closed out to another win.

Glapwell now head the league by 12 points from Thoresby Colliery, Farnsfield and Edwinstowe who all have the same number and it really is exciting stuff at the top. The situation is just the same at the bottom although Bridon are now becoming a little divorced from the rest.

Cutthorpe bagged another win and are far from out of the picture as they totally demolished Kiveton Park by a massive 182 runs at the Recreation Ground. Batting first, Cutthorpe found no gremlins in the pitch as they piled up a huge 238 for 5 with Nigel Kingham (60) and Asadullah Butt (84 n.o.) playing some glorious all around the wicket shots as the score rocketed upwards.

However, Kiveton from the moment that Australian Peter Colebourne was dismissed from the third ball of their innings simply never recovered and were all back inside for a paltry 56 runs. Only the highly talented Phil Cooper who contributed 50% of these runs provided any resistance at all to Ejaz Khan who took 7 for 18 as he sliced through some rather feeble batting with ease.

Cutthorpe are only 20 points behind the main group and it would be a fool who was prepared to write them off at this stage. They know what it is all about and winning trophies is certainly in their glossary, so don’t be surprised if more is heard of Cutthorpe before the season is over.

Worksop who looked dead and buried a month ago have made a remarkable recovery with only one defeat and four victories in their last six matches. Their latest conquest was a comfortable 80 run win over Cuckney who have collapsed alarmingly since topping the table just over a month ago. Batting first Worksop were indebted to Glenn Pym (49) and Pete Jones (44) but a middle order collapse saw them once again in trouble.

However in a case of ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’ Simon Robson, collared a robust unbeaten 61 which took them into the comfort zone on 244 for 8. Perrennial wicket taker Richard Stroh bagged another six victims at a cost of 66 runs but Cuckney will feel that they had let the game get away from them in the last ten overs.

Although Simon Shipp made an excellent 76, Cuckney never looked like threatening the Worksop total and were dismissed for 164. The two left handers, Paul Burton with his wily slow stuff picked up 5 for 66 whilst the improving medium pacer John Smith (5 for 33) were the bowlers who caused the trouble and both kept an immaculate line and length troughout.

It was business as usual at the top of Division 2 with leaders Bolsover cruising to a seven wicket win over Fansfield 2 nd at Station Lane . Batting first Farnsfield moved away to a dramatic start with Gary Peck (45) and Mick Hodgkin lambasting the ball to all parts of the ground as the score raced to 62 in the first ten overs.

The introduction of Usman Saeed and in particular Steve Wooley had a dramatic effect on the game however and the scoring rate dropped appreciably and wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Farnsfield’s problems stemmed from the fact that several players got themselves in but couldn’t capitalize after a good start and Steve Wooley helped himself to 7 for 70 with four catches being pouched in the long on/long off region.

Usman Saeed picked up 3 for 59 as the innings closed on 199 all out in the very last over. Bolsover suffered an early shock when Pete Wood trapped Andy Crookes lbw and the introduction of Richard Corbyn gave them two more wickets that of Andy Rogers and Chris Cowley and the score slumped to 62 for 3.

From that moment on Usman Saeed and Steve Wooley took charge with the latter producing some towering blows and going on to reach 98 n.o. when victory was achieved. Wooley’s innings was full of merciless clean hits with a succession of huge sixes that kept the Farnsfield locker of used balls constantly open. He also survived an appeal for a catch at the wicket but nobody could take it away from him, this was his day and with Usman Saeed chipped in with an unbeaten 58 as Bolsover cruised to a seven wicket win.

One other thing worthy of note was that two catches claimed on this day would have been contenders for efforts of the season. Chris Cowley claimed a staggering diving effort for Bolsover and Keith Miller a blockbuster for Farnsfield which would have gone right through him if he hadn’t caught it. What a pity neither effort wasn’t caught on camera for posterity, yes they were that good!

An absolute mountain of runs were scored at Anston with the home side coming out victorious by five wickets in a classic tussle with Whitwell. Batting first Whitwell piled on the runs with skipper Alan Draycott suffering the heartbreaking experience of being out on 99 and Duncan Forrest remaining unbeaten on 50 as they amassed a huge total of 234 for 5. Graham Tweed took 3 for 54 in a good spell

In reply, Anston struggled in the early stages before Jonathan Geary (46) and Neil Carter (65) got them on the right track and victory was achieved on 238 for 5 after a titanic struggle with three overs to spare. Darren Westerby (3 for 57) bowled a tidy length for Whitwell who played their part in a truly memorable encounter.

Blidworth continue in second place after an easy 97 run win over bottom club Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2 nd . Not that it looked that way when Blidworth collapsed to 50 for 6 on a lively wicket which helped the bowlers all afternoon. Richard Smith with his first contribution of the afternoon top scored with 38 and these runs were certainly invaluable in the context of this match.

Martin Mitchell (3 for 47) was the best of the Notts. & Arnold attack but the final Blidworth total of 169 for 9 was much more than they should have achieved and they were rather let off the hook by the Nottingham side, who were later to regret their generosity.

The Notts. & Arnold side made a good start and when the second wicket fell on 55, they certainly looked on course for a major confidence boosting win, but nobody could have envisaged what happened next. From 55 for 2, they slumped to 55 for 9 with Richard Smith this time with the ball capturing 6 for 12 in a hugely impressive stint.

That they reached 72 before being bowled out pledged more to good luck than any sparkling ability with a few audacious shots from the last pair reaching the boundary. Blidworth will look back on this game and sometimes wonder how they got out of jail, whilst Notts. & Arnold will probably consider their plight is now hopeless when they certainly had the chances to change it around, but failed miserably.

Ransome and Marles continued their progress up the table with a great four wicket win against Pilsley and are certainly not out of the hunt for second place. Batting first, Pilsley reached 172 for 8 mainly due to the magnificent Saeed Bin Nasir who made a superb 93 considering that Ransomes two strike bowlers Gary Lambert (3 for 65) and Australian Brett Richardson (3 for 51) were in prime form.

Ransomes though are in really fine fettle at the moment and they reached 177 for 6 and victory with Tony Betteridge (59 n.o.) and Ian Sellars (44) both batting brilliantly. If the Newark side continue in this devastating fashion everyone can look out, they are a major threat.

Papplewick and Linby 2 nd are another side who have suffered a slump in form but are now returning to their very best as they showed with a 33 run win over high riding Eckington. Batting first Papplewick made a useful 172 all out with the returning Matt Dear top scoring on 83 and Neil Birch (51). Simon West was the best of the Eckington attack taking 4 for 37.

In reply Eckington were bowled out for just 139 with Simon West completing a fine all round match with an unbeaten 30. Michael Henly (5 for 45) bowled superbly for Papplewick who are now back in gear after a blip in mid season. Eckington must wish they were as good away from home as they are at Staveley Lane .

The clash between the two sides who are struggling to retain Division 2 status ended in a winning draw for North Wheatley with Leverton against Everton but a whole host of runs were scored with a century performance featured from both sides.

Batting first North Wheatley added 110 for the first wicket with Wayne Harrison (65) being the dominant partner. From this point in time Dave Waller took over lashing a superb unbeaten 126 out of a mammoth 46 over total of 264 for 4.

Despite facing this daunting prospect, Everton made a strong reply but couldn’t quite keep up with the clock. The elegant youngster John Mimms added another brilliant unbeaten 100 to his ever increasing pile of runs and Rob Nicholas (37) helped Everton to 197 for 6 when the overs ran out. Both these sides are capable enough on their day, but both need a few more points and time is running out now!

* My apologies for saying that Eckington last week declared and gave Farnsfield 2 nd ten overs after scoring a huge 365 for 3 at Staveley Lane. They actually gave Farnsfield 2 nd an extra six overs because the limit on overs in Division 2 to 10, is 46. For some reason I was thinking that the match was convened in Division 1 where the limit is 50 overs per side and not 46. Once again my apologies to Farnsfield 2 nd for making it sound worse than it really was.