Another blow for Kiveton
by Paul Barker, 1st August 2005

What on earth has gone wrong with Kiveton Park ? Only six weeks ago they were right up with the league leaders and pressing a valid claim for the championship, but recent performances have seen them bowled out cheaply and their results have become appalling.

Kiveton had lost their last four league matches going into their Tomlins clash with Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2 nd and whilst confidence was low nobody could have envisaged what was to follow. Everything started well for them as only Ravi (32) shone for the Hosiery Mills who collapsed dramatically to just 94 all out with Richard Spurr helping himself to 4 for 29.

An easy task one would think but it wasn’t and anybody who thought that the Hosiery Mills had come along just to occupy a supporting role where badly misguided. With Darren Johnson scything through some insipid and ineffectual batting, Kiveton were bowled out for just 74 and another worrying loss by 20 runs.

Darren Johnson as mentioned earlier did most of the damage taking 5 for 13 in a brilliant spell of bowling and great support came from Kyle Garside (3 for 19).

This was a tremendous victory for the Hosiery Mills and very rarely does a side from Division 3 beat one from Division 1 in this competition. For their trouble they now face an away trip to Cutthorpe in the semi-final which is a daunting prospect for any side, but don’t count them out, especially after this!

Kiveton must be wondering where their next win is coming from. They badly need to get back on track, but prospects do look rather bleak at the moment. They still have a points gap between them and the relegation candidates, but in this form that could be whittled away very quickly.

The other semi-final saw Glapwell face the West Indian Cavaliers 2 nd at Park Avenue and a good game ended with a victory for the home side by seven wickets with sixteen overs to spare. Batting first the ‘Cavs’ totalled 194 for 8 with Mohammed Masood top scoring on 70. Good support came from Mark Clarke who made an unbeaten 30, whilst Iain O’Brien 3 for 25 and Andy Clarke 3 for 58 took the bulk of the wickets.

This score looked more than useful from 40 overs, but Glapwell quickly moved into gear and never let their grip relax as they blazed a trail to victory. Lee Topham was again in fine form making an unbeaten 70 and superb support came from Nick Truswell with 65 as they reached 195 for 3 in just 24 overs.

Glapwell are now in the semi final and face an away trip to Blidworth for a place in the final.