South Notts League starts in earnest
by Dennis Wright, 9th May 2005

The cricket season started in earnest with a full programme of fixtures in the SNCL. The first week in Division A saw last season’s Premier outfit Southwell soundly beaten by Long Eaton thanks mainly to an explosive batting assault by Umair Hassan. Umair bludgeoned 92 off just 70 balls which included 14 fours and 3 sixes. Ably supported by opener Andy Edge (41 not out) this was enough to see Long Eaton ease past the target of 169 with 8 overs to spare.

The other relegated side Calverton faired better on the opening day with a 9 wicket demolition of Gotham Village who were skittled out for just 49.

Elsewhere in the top division, Attenborough gained maximum points after bowling out hosts Balderton for 65. Sam Clulow with 6 for 43 starred. Rolls-Royce started with a winning-draw at Eastwood Town while at Ellerslie, last year’s oh-so-nearly boys Plumtree made the perfect start to this year’s campaign with a 6 wicket win thanks mainly to 82 not out from Steve James.

In Division B, there were away wins for Newstead Abbey at Newark , Radcliffe on Trent at Belvoir and Clifton Village II at Loughborough Carillon. There were impressive bowling figures for Peter Fairhall ( Clifton Village ) 6 for 15 and Peter Lever (Bottesford) 6 for 58, while the top innings was Newstead’s Andrew Graham with 72 not out.

On a day dominated by bowlers Kurt Standen (87) and Steve Weightman (81) helped Thrumpton reach 219 for 5 at Kimberley Inst. II in Division C, setting up a winning draw. There were good wins for Hucknall, West Bridgefordians and Thurgarton.

In Division D Richard Deeley took 7 for 34 as Stanton By Dale narrowly beat Wollaton II. West Indian Caribs won the battle of the promoted clubs, thrashing Long Whatton by 9 wickets.

In Division E, for the 2 nd week, Rod Sanders (90) was in the runs as his side, Nuthall (158), completed victory over Collingham II by 58 runs. David Fawcett (51*) carried his bat to give Hucknall II (131/5) victory over Wymeswold (127). Pre season favourites Gedling Colliery II (130) again were defeated, this time away to Farndon (131/8).

A close finish in Div F, in a 35 over game, saw Notts Unity Casuals post a good score of 144/4 then Whatton Aslockton snatched victory off the final ball. (145/5). There was another fascinating game as Bramcote II dismissed Ruddington for 70, but then found themselves 20/6 before recovering to 71/6. In Division J, Hoveringham, looking for their third successive promotion got off to a winning start at home to Newark, Pete Wood hitting a half century in their 45 run success. Hot on their heels though are Gladstone who had Martin Widdowson (59 & 4 for 19) excelling with both bat and ball in their win over Risley II.

Another individual having a day to remember was Oxton’s Michael Berry who top scored with 41 and then took 6 for 10 in the visitors’ victory at Stapleford. Caunton hope to go one better in 2005 after narrowly missing out on promotion last season. Chris Smith hit an unbeaten 94 as they cruised past Stanton by Dale’s target of 135 with eight wickets to spare.

On a bowler dominated day in Division L the largest total set for victory was at Newstead Village where the home side, aided by Danny Greenhaigh (70) and Steve Blinkhorn (45 not out) reached Sutton Bonington’s target of 138 with six wickets remaining. It was a good day for newly promoted sides as Nottingham Victoria (100) restricted South Muskham to just 82 thanks in part to Riznan Razaque (3 for 23) whilst Belvoir had Dan Fellows (5 for 29) and Chris King (39 not out) to thank in their five wicket victory at Carrington Cavaliers.

But all eyes in Division L were on Bingham as New Zealander Stu Dickinson is back for a second term. However it was Matt Hollis who made a mockery of bowler friendly wickets with a superb 125 in their mammoth 278 over Shepshed. In reply the visitors’ task was not assisted by five run outs and they fell way short on 113. There were two “five fers” at Flintham where Mark Lethbridge and Sandeep Burmar both gaining the accolade as the home side came out on top by 63 runs over Breaston. At Thrumpton, Kimberley thirds’ Chris Dawson began his new career with the bat after injury has curtailed his bowling in the second team. It was with some success too as he top scored with 36 and then 15 year old Richard Kelly took for 3 for 22 as the visitors edged home by 9 runs.

In Division M, a superb innings of 153 not out by Scott Law of Stanton & Awsworth Elks II saw them beat Chilwell II by 164 runs after totalling 264/6. David Groves ( 5 for 34 ) bowled Lambley II to victory over Balderton II. The last pair for Basford Hall Old Boys saw them home by one wicket against Willoughby on the Wolds II.

In Division N, Plumtree III look like continuing their success of last season with a an easy 125 run victory over Snibston Grange who could only muster 54 all out in reply to Plumtree's 179/4, of which Andrew Elliott made an unbeaten 90 and Phil Garner 66.Chris Owen-Jones took 5 for11. Shaun King's 5 for 18 helped Caythorpe IV to a comfortable win over Hucknall III.

The match of the day in Division P was Radcliffe on Trent III reaching 173/6 in reply to Thrumpton III's 172/6 (M.Sampson 53).