Edwinstowe back at the top
by Paul Barker, 31st May 2005

After vacating top spot on Saturday after narrowly going down to Farnsfield, Edwinstowe leapfrogged back to the top with Kiveton Park not playing on Bank Holiday Monday. Without any doubt, Edwinstowe are a force to be reckoned with this time and they completely brushed Glapwell aside with consummate ease at Forest Corner in devastating style.

Batting first Glapwell who have been in great form recently were bundled out for just 99 runs with Richard Gombos (4 for 40) and John Garnham (4 for 27) wreaking havoc in their ranks.

This meagre target proved no problem at all for Edwinstowe as they dashed to 101 for 0 with Garth Brown (67 n.o.) and Paul Benson (23 n.o.) not looking in any trouble at all. This ten wicket success was a huge win for the Edwinstowe side and sends a warning to all the other clubs in the league that they are nobody’s pushovers this time around and in this sort of form it will take a mighty good side to beat them!

Notts. & Arnold Amateur made it a weekend for celebration when they took 18 points from a winning draw over Cuckney. With the maximum twenty taken out of Bridon on Saturday they couldn’t have done much better, and after a brave fight, Cuckney were hanging on at the finish.

Batting first Notts. & Arnold were once again in excellent batting form none more so than Jamie Marchant who blasted a magnificent 118 and with great support from the cultured Australian left hander Leigh Baldry (41) they managed to reach an imposing total of 258 for 9. South African Richard Stroh (5 for 62) was the best of an overworked Cuckney attack.

Although Cuckney replied well this target was always going to be a touch too much for them and their innings concluded on 200 for 9. Former Notts. & Arnold player Richard Bostock scored 53 and Richard Stroh who enjoyed another fine all round match also made 53, but they could not cope with Jamie Marchant who really enjoyed himself and took 3 for 26 in addition to his superb century.

Just 23 days ago Thoresby Colliery totally annihilated Killamarsh by nine wickets so it was a massive surprise on Monday when the latter gained revenge for this mauling by a comprehensive five wicket margin.

Batting first Thoresby were well served by Richard Hope (46) and Steve Willis (55) as they made an adequate total of 167 for 9 whilst Killamarsh skipper Parmindar Mudhar (4 for 58) led from the front and bowled an immaculate line and length.

A trail blazing knock by the talented Paul Burdett of 83 n.o., saw Killamarsh register their first win of the season as they reached 171 for 5. The excellent Steve Willis bagged 3 for 50, but this was not to be Thoresby’s day and Killamarsh will draw confidence from this performance as it shows they can beat the good sides when they put it all together.

Second Division leaders Anston gained a losing draw at Farnsfield 2 nd but what a match it was with no side deserving to lose in an absolute thriller on a wicket as good as anyone is likely to see anywhere. Batting first Farnsfield piled up a massive 293 for 3 with Paul Delaney who scored his first century in nine years on Saturday pushing the boat out and claiming another one.

Delaney scored a brilliant 114 and with Glyn Edwards (88) also in dashing form the Anston attack was put to the sword in merciless fashion. Not that this score put the league leaders off and they went for this enormous target in fine style and so nearly achieved their goal.

Anston finished on 265 for 8 after a gallant fight and they showed everyone what a good side they are in a match which was the supreme advert for Bassetlaw League cricket. Jonathan Geary had the heartbreaking experience of being caught behind on 99 and with other excellent contributions from Mark Parkinson (39) and Andrew Ruczenczyn (37) the score kept rattling along.

That they didn’t reach the target was entirely due to a brilliant spell of bowling by Neil Sharp who took 5 for 59 in a tremendous stint. The man of the match however and he deserves all the praise in the world must be the Farnsfield groundsman for preparing such a wonderful pitch which contributed a magnificent game of cricket played in a superb manner by two very good sides.

Blidworth who went into the weekend in second place suffered their second defeat in three days at the hands of the very dangerous Pilsley side. Batting first, Blidworth certainly got the worst of a wicket which unusually at Pilsley appeared a little spiteful. Progress was slow but a collapse when they looked in a good position at 84 for 2 totally finished Blidworth off. After Andy Watson (35) and Dave Mason (34) had batted well it was only a late flourish from Richard Smith (38 n.o.) that took them to a reasonable total of 158 for 8. Saeed Bin Nasir (3 for 19) made his first contribution of the day and Michael Thompson, Oliver Jones and John Worthy all grabbed a couple of wickets each.

The Pilsley innings started brightly but both Andy Keighley and Mark Limb were dismissed with the score on 19, but this was to be the last success that Blidworth managed in the entire match. Searing strokes to all parts of the ground from that master class batsman Saeed Bin Nasir and Dave Wright (35 n.o.) saw this pair make an unbroken stand of 143 as Pilsley raced to victory with eight overs to spare.

Bin Nasir made the winning hit with a colossal straight six and he finished unbeaten on 102. He is without question a brilliant batsman and when he gets going he is almost impossible to bowl at.

Third placed Bolsover must have feared the worse when Ransome & Marles bowled them out for just 97 at Elm Avenue with Gary Lambert claiming 6 for 43 in a fine spell of bowling but incredibly it was miles too many for the Newark side.

Ransomes were all back inside for just 51 with the quick left armer Chris Pemberton making even better use of the conditions as he took a sensational 8 for 14 in a magical stint. Pemberton was totally unplayable and the Bolsover march is now in full throttle and will take a lot of halting.

Eckington are another side who have enjoyed a great weekend and they took eighteen points from a winning draw performance over North Wheatley with Leverton. Batting first Eckington made a good looking 227 for 8 with John Daniel leading the way with a blistering 93 and sound support came from Simon West (35 n.o.) and Dave Barton (33 n.o.) two players are usually better known usually for their exploits with the ball. James Crookes (3 for 54) was the best of the North Wheatley attack.

The home side made a good fight of it without ever looking likely to overcome the target set. In the end they finished on 166 for 9 with the gallant Martin Pring being 42 n.o. at the close. Tom Dawson with 4 for 24 was the best of the Eckington bowlers but they couldn’t prise the last pair out to give them a maximum.

Everton who have suffered badly since gaining promotion gave their confidence a much needed boost by gaining a winning draw over Whitwell. Batting first, Everton put on their best batting display of the season scoring 190 for 9 with John Mimms (66) and John Leach (50 n.o.) leading the charge. Andy Shaw was the best of the Whitwell bowlers taking 4 for 41 for his efforts.

In reply only Nathan Morris with 35 showed much resistance for Whitwell as they held out on 158 for 8. Jon Shaw (4 for 75) and John Mimms who enjoyed an excellent all round game took 3 for 35 as Everton picked up the bulk of the points.