Bin Nasir savages North Wheatley
by Paul Barker, 31st July 2005

There can be no doubt that Pilsley’s Saeed Bin Nasir is unquestionably one of the finest batsmen to have graced the Bassetlaw League over the past 20 years and he certainly projected his profile even further with an astonishing effort this weekend.

Saeed must have fallen in love with North Wheatley with Leverton who by the same token must absolutely hate the mortal sights of him. Last season he posted a new Division 2 record score when he smashed 173 against them, but he totally eclipsed this on Saturday making a tremendous 240 before getting out with five balls of the innings remaining.

By this time Pilsley had amassed 309 for 2 with Andy Keighley who shared a 154 first wicket partnership with Saeed lending excellent support with 53, but this was the Pakistani star’s day. He clobbered 31 fours and 12 sixes in this incredible innings and whilst his first 100 took 124 balls, his second came from just 51!

Spare a thought for the North Wheatley attack who simply wilted under the onslaught. James Blackwell had bowled seven economical overs for just 24 runs which is good going by anyone’s standard but his next five overs went for 74, an astonishing statistic.

North Wheatley however battled hard in reply and Wayne Harrison (34) and Dave Waller in particular (60) both batted well to restore some pride. It was ironic that Waller was run out by a fantastic throw that hit the stumps direct from of course, yes you’ve guessed it, Saeed Bin Nasir. The innings closed on 161 for 8 which was a creditable performance with Ian Worthy being the pick of the Pilsley bowlers with 3 for 23 in a tidy stint.

Saeed’s innings was the second highest ever recorded but if the truth is known it really should rank as the best. The highest ever was by Clowne Town ’s Glyn Long who scored 261 against an eight man A.G.D. side back in 1999 and they were just about to fold up at the time. This was a much more authentic effort and Saeed deserves every credit for a magical innings that will long be remembered by everyone who was privileged to see it.

In Division 1 on a day which depended a lot on how lucky you where with the weather, Thoresby Colliery did their case a power of good with a massive ten wicket win over Kiveton Park who seem to have gone to bits in recent weeks.

Having said that, the pitch was only just playable after the rain of the past few days and although Phil Cooper (36), Lee Brooks (30) and Dean Walker (30) all made an initial impact nobody went through with the effort and produced the huge score which was required.

As it turned out the 177 all out total was rather disappointing to say the least but credit must go to the Thoresby attack in which Zimbabwean David Irvine (4 for 34) and wicket taker supreme Billy Lippeatt (4 for 35) who turned the screw and never let it loosen throughout.

It was a totally different story when Thoresby batted and Martin Cheshire and Nigel Burkitt went for the bowling from the word go and succeeded brilliantly. Cheshire made a sparkling unbeaten 100 and Burkitt remained 58 n.o. as Thoresby sailed to 178 for 0 and victory without much trouble at all.

There is not much doubt that when Cheshire is flowing it is as good a sight as anything in the league today. He has a fluency about him and his strokes look amazingly easy as he treats all bowling with total disdain. This was one of these days and Kiveton can count themselves extremely unlucky to have come up against him in this form.

The win puts Thoresby into clear second place whilst Kiveton’s form must be giving cause for alarm. They certainly need another couple of wins because they have gone right off the boil. Not only are they losing, they are going down in big style and taking some tremendous hidings in the process. This side were up with the front runners about six weeks ago and a good side (which Kiveton are) doesn’t become a bad side overnight. However they do badly need a morale boosting win.

Glapwell remain top of the tree by one point after a rain affected draw at Langwith Road , Cuckney. Batting first, Glapwell made 176 for 6 with Lee Topham who must rank as one of the most improved players in the division this season making a superb 88. Nick Trusswell also consolidated the score with 35 runs, but with only six wickets down, Glapwell would probably have been a little disappointed that they had not topped the 200 barrier.

Cuckney however got away to an horrendous start losing two wickets without a run on the board but a good effort by skipper Dean Sayer (37 n.o.) seemed to be turning the game around and his side had reached 74 for 3 before rain intervened for the day with the match delicately poised.

All season we have intimated in these columns that Cutthorpe were not a side to ignore and that they were far from out of the race for the title. The side is not the strongest that they have ever fielded but it is still a good one and is capable of seeing off all opposition as Edwinstowe found out to their cost at the Recreation Ground.

Batting first Edwinstowe were bowled out for just 130 with only Asif Zakir (32) saving their blushes from an even worse scenario. Asadullah Butt was in prime form moving the ball all over the place and picking up a deserved 6 for 44 for a masterly spell of bowling. Nigel Kingham weighed in also with 3 for 35, as Cutthorpe moved serenely into the box seat.

Even though the target set looked modest, Cutthorpe struggled somewhat to master the conditions but a tremendous unbroken stand of 70 by Andy Thompson who made a tremendous unbeaten 73 and Ejaz Khan (26 n.o.) steered them home to an important win and all the top sides will be looking over their shoulders anxiously now. Sean Bullin (3 for 26) was the best of the Edwinstowe attack which never gave up the ghost and almost made the unthinkable happen.

Farnsfield had to be content with ten points from a rain affected draw with Notts. & Arnold Amateur at Goosedale Lane . They may well have done even better had it not been for Ian Flood who single handedly held the Notts. & Arnold innings together with a brilliant 95 out of a fifty over total of just 206 for 9. The only other support came from Phil Allcock (30 n.o.) towards the end of the innings.

Once again Mark Silcock with 6 for 51 was the best Farnsfield bowler, but it was all in vain this time as the rain which fell at tea put paid to any more activity planned and the match was prematurely abandoned. With the other results in the division from the matches between Bridon v Killamarsh and Marshalls v Worksop not even starting it was very much as you were at the foot of the table and nobody gained much of an advantage.

Division 2 leaders Bolsover who have been skating away at the top, got stung going down to their first defeat of the season at Villas Road against Papplewick & Linby 2 nd. Batting first Bolsover were not at their usual fluent best and only a cavalier style 60 by Matt Griffith propped up the innings as they were bowled out for just 152. Neil Birch (5 for 32) and Steve Alford (3 for 62) bowled splendidly for Papplewick to give their side every chance of a shock win.

In reply, Bolsover looked as though they were well on the way to turning things around as Papplewick were quickly reduced to 40 for 6 and staring defeat in the face. It was to their eternal credit that Gareth Wheeldon (56) and several telling contributions from the lower order saw them finally reach 153 for 9 and victory by just one wicket. Chris Pemberton (3 for 17) and Usman Saeed (5 for 45) bowled splendidly for Bolsover but it was not to be on this occasion.

Bolsover skipper Charlie Walker was philosophical when asked for his comments and said his side got exactly what they deserved. He felt complacency crept in when they had Papplewick on the rack and they never recovered that cutting edge and added that he thought it might teach them a lesson that they are not invincible and that every team is trying their darndest to knock them over.

Of course it didn’t help that a huge 40 extras were conceded but it was a joyous day for the Papplewick side and one to forget for Bolsover.

Two teams who are fighting it out near the top are Eckington and Anston and they met at Staveley Lane with the home side winning by an eight wicket margin. Batting first Anston made 165 for 6 in their 46 overs with Nigel Staniland (55 n.o.) and Jonathan Geary (45) propping up the innings after some earlier disasters. Incredibly enough Wayne Dye took all six wickets to fall at a personal cost of jus 32 runs.

This target proved no obstacle to Eckington who cruised to victory on 168 for 2 with Rob Carlile posting a tremendous unbeaten 79 and Andy Burns making 58. Eckington certainly are a huge threat in this division and if their away form was as good as it is at Staveley Lane they would be even closer to Bolsover than they are now.

Ransome and Marles continued their tremendous form with a crushing 118 run win over Everton at Elm Avenue . Batting first Ransomes made a respectable 161 for 8 with Tony Betteridge (64) top scoring on a wicket that gave the bowlers some help. John Shaw 4 for 30 was the pick of the Everton attack but this struggling side must have thought they had done a good job at tea.

It was not to be however as Everton simply crumbled to 43 all out with Ransome’s skipper Gary Lambert doing most of the damage with 6 for 24. Paul Burrell chipped in with 3 for 10 and the Newark side are getting closer and closer to the front runners who must be looking over their shoulders extremely anxiously now!

Farnsfield 2 nd did their survival hopes a power of good and virtually condemned Notts. & Arnold 2 nd to relegation when they won by eight wickets at Station Lane .

Batting first Notts. & Arnold made a reasonable fist of things before being bowled out for 163 with Mark North top scoring on 64. Pete Wood (3 for 46) and Keith Miller (4 for 50) bowled exceptionally well for Farnsfield keeping it tight and taking wickets into the bargain.

Farnsfield then got off to a poor start and were 25 for 2 before Dave Tilbury (40 n.o.) and in particular Mick Hodgkin (90 n.o.) came together after a break for rain and crashed together a tremendous partnership of 139 in just 21 overs to seal victory at 164 for 2 by eight wickets.

The match between Whitwell and Blidworth was cancelled without a ball being bowled.