Thoresby maintain great start
by Paul Barker, 1st May 2005

Despite losing that excellent batsmen Paul Hughes, Thoresby Colliery have made a superb start to the new season and they followed up their impressive win over Farnsfield with another great and effortless win at Cuckney.

Hughes apart from skipper Martin Cheshire was the lynchpin of the Thoresby batting and when it became apparent he would be unavailable it must have been a mighty blow to them. However you would struggle to notice it at the minute as the Thoresby side have started with a bag of confidence and are playing really well.

Batting first on a wettish wicket which was the ‘norm’ everywhere Thoresby struggled to 142 for 9 with Cheshire making an elegant 30 and Naeed Ahmed who has made an amazing start top scoring on 37. Cuckney’s South African import Richard Stroh who has already made his presence felt,again did the bulk of the damage with a brilliant spell of 6 for 20.

At this stage of the game Cuckney must have been feeling extremely pleased with themselves, but it was soon to change as Naeed Ahmed for the second week running turned in a ‘man of the match’ performance taking 4 for 27 and with Shailesh Patel (5 for 13) proving unplayable at the other end, Cuckney were all back inside for a paltry 50 runs.

So for the second week running Thoresby register a victory and in this most open of seasons they will be feeling very pleased with themselves at this stage. There is a long way to go but Thoresby have thrown down the gauntlet and we will have to wait and see what transgresses.

Edwinstowe who made a terrific start last week came to grief against a re-juvenated Worksop side who played well to pick up a winning draw. Batting first Worksop made a solid 170 for 8 with Glenn Pym (52), Jamil Hassan (43) and Tim Ward (31) all batting superbly in difficult conditions. Edwinstowe’s Pakistani import Asif Zakir with 4 for 25 was the pick of the bowlers and looks to be a more than useful acquisition.

In reply Edwinstowe never kept up with the required rate and as the overs ran out they were 140 for 7 and possibly looking at defeat. Dave Hallam (39 n.o.) batted with immense concentration and Paul Peacock (57) gave hopes of victory whilst he was at the crease, but once he departed, survival was the name of the game. Simon Robson with 3 for 32 was the best of the Worksop bowlers and they will be much happier with their performance this week after a disappointing start.

In Division 2 a side who were expected to do well last season Ransome & Marles turned out to be very disappointing. On the evidence of their first two matches this season however it looks as though they might have put things right as they claimed a winning draw against Papplewick and Linby 2 nd to go with a similar showing against Notts. & Arnold last week.

Batting first Ransomes reached 150 for 8 with Tony Bettridge top scoring with an unbeaten 57. This total proved more than enough as Papplewick struggled from the word go and were hanging on desperately on 81 for 9 at the close.

Brett Richardson (3 for 39) and Gary Lambert (5 for 22) sliced through the Papplewick batting with ease and on the evidence of this Ransomes won’t be far away when the medals are handed out at the end of the season.

Pilsley put up a good display to record a 66 run win over Notts. & Arnold Amateurs 2 nd at Barlow Hill. Batting first Pilsley made a respectable 177 for 8 with Andy Keighley top scoring on 53 and skipper Steve Drury remaining unbeaten with 31. James Lees was the best of the Arnold attack taking 3 for 40 in a tidy spell.

The target set was much too much for Notts. & Arnold who simply crumbled to 111 all out with only Pete Evans (32) making any impact against Michael Thompson (4 for 34) and Rob Pearson (3 for 11).

Anston are another side who have made a fine start to the season and they carried on the good work with a winning draw over North Wheatley with Leverton. Batting first Anston rattled along at a brisk pace reaching 189 for 8 with Mick Norbury making 48 and Gary Tweed an unbeaten 40. James Crookes bowled well for North Wheatley to take 4 for 57.

The target always looked a big one and Wheatley finally decided to settle to settle for a draw closing on 138 for 6. Wayne Harrison (43) and Will Saville (40) both batted well for North Wheatley but the accuracy of Anston skipper Ian Barley (3 for 31) was always going to be too much for them and so it proved to be.

Promoted Everton have made a poor start but they certainly gave Farnsfield 2 nd a run for their money in a thrilling encounter at Station Lane . Batting first Everton reached 159 for 8 with Mark Anthony making a superb unbeaten 76. Mark Hallam (3 for 31) and Pete Wood (3 for 58) both bowled well to prevent further runs adding to a respectable total.

In reply Farnsfield lost seven wickets before reaching their target with Gary Peck (54), Phil Tyler (41) and Mark Hallam (41) leading the charge. John Shaw (4 for 65) was the pick of the Everton attack and the side did enough to suggest that they will be turning the corner soon.

All the other matches in the top two divisions were called off owing to rain.