Exciting Mansfield League beat Bassetlaw
by Godfrey Kerry, 28th September 2005

The Mansfield Sunday League finished a successful season with an exciting win over a very strong Bassetlaw side, which contained many players from the Yorkshire Premier Divisions. The success of the National Cup semi final appearance behind them, Mansfield fielded a very young side containing four new capped players.

A positive opening partnership from Will Butler and Adam Burgess got the visitors off to good start, however Bassetlaw came back strongly with Storey and Longhurst taking two wickets a piece. The game seemed to be swinging towards the Bassetlaw at 122-5 but that changed as Ian Woodhall and Steve Chapman restored Mansfield's position in the match with a solid partnership. Woodhall went on to score a fine 58 and was well supported by Dave Hunt who replaced Chapman. The visitors finished on a competitive 193 at the end of the allotted 45 overs.

The home side got off to a very quick start with former Australian grade cricketer John Ashton hitting the ball to all parts of the ground. When Buzz Alexander (58) came to join Ashton (28) the Bassetlaw looked to have the game in the bag.

Good bowling from skipper Darren Walker and Ian Woodhall opened up the game. Another solid partnership from Briggs and Bramwell looked like they would steer the home side to victory but then young fast bowler Scott Morley took two wickets in two balls to rip through the Bassetlaw tail.

The home side quest for victory was over in the penultimate over when Ian Briggs was caught by Will Butler off the bowling of Adam Burgess. It was a very competitive and sporting match and both sides deserve credit for a great game of cricket. Mansfield ’s Ian Woodhall was awarded the man of the match for the highest score of 58 and the best bowling figures of 9-2-18-1. 

Mansfield Team:

Darren Walker - captain (Mansfield & Pleasley CC), Adam Burgess - vice captain (Cuckney CC), Tom Tweedy (Spital CC), Dave Hunt (Welbeck CC), Chris Murphy (Welbeck CC), Ian Woodhall (Mansfield & Pleasley CC), Will Butler (Sherwood CC), Scott Morley (Welbeck CC), Ashley Randall (Welbeck CC), Steve Chapman (Cutthorpe CC), Paul Barber - wicketkeeper (Grassmoor CC)

Bassetlaw Team:

J. Aston, N. Longhurst, M. Alexander, D. Manfield, L. Somers, I. Briggs, G. Borthwick - captain, C. Bramwell, D. Taylor, C. Storey, C. Saint.

The result: Mansfield & District Sunday League (193) beat Bassetlaw XI (179) by 14 runs.