Calverton set an early start for the Pete Crawley show
by SNCL Press Team, 13th July 2005

The individual performance of the day came at Calverton where the title chasing hosts destroyed bottom side Gotham Village in Divison A of the Gunn & Moore South Notts Cricket League. Batting first, Clint Du’Plessis’ fantastic 120 not out afforded Calverton (304/6 dec) the luxury of a declaration to set an early start time for the Pete Crawley show.

Chasing the massive target, Kevin Perrell (82) provided some resistance for Gotham but in a remarkable spell (even for him) Crawley took season’s best figures of 9 for 26 in 10 overs to rip the heart, body, and soul out of the Gotham batting (178).

At Hucknall, South African Leon Botha bettered Du’plessis score with a brilliant unbeaten 122 for Rolls-Royce Leisure as they comfortably beat third-placed Eastwood (221). Ijaz Ahmed finishing high and dry on 96 not out for Eastwood. Elsewhere there was yet another 5fer for Balderton’s Sri Lankan bowler Ishan Ratnayake as he instigated a narrow ten run victory at fourth placed Attenborough (164). Chuck Tansley’s 61 setting up a surprise win for the visitors. Ellerslie won a great game at Plumtree (246/9) by four wickets. A century by Steve James for Plumtree meant Ellerslie were chasing 247 and Eddie Pidduck’s classy knock of 88 was enough to see the visitors home with 2 overs to spare. Division A leaders Long Eaton (214) remain top after a winning-draw against Southwell (188/6)

In Division B high flying Radcliffe-On-Trent (128) slipped to their first defeat of the season after they were comprehensively beaten by third-placed Gedling & Sherwood (203/9) who had Paul McMillan (52 + 3/49) on top form. That result enabled Bottesford to stretch their lead at the top after a predictable 83 run win over struggling Belvoir (78). West Bridgfordian’s stay sitting pretty at the top of C after yet another win, this time by 4 wickets at Kirkby Portland (198/8). 16 year-old Henry Straw again showing great potential with 61 for the runaway leaders in their successful run chase. Hucknall move up to 2 nd after a 78 run win at Nottingham (94).

Their was an upset in Division D as Long Whatton managed to humble high-flying West Indian Caribs despite 65 from Brian Baptiste. Caribs total of 164 proved to be too few as the leaders slipped to only their second defeat of the season. Third-placed Stanton-By-Dale benefited most from the Caribs’ slip by beating second placed Attenborough II (182) by 30 runs. Phil Baker with a much ‘kneeded’ 95 was the star for the hosts. At the other end of the table Wollaton II (148) won the battle of the bottom two by beating Lady Bay Boots by 28 runs. But they remain adrift.

The top two teams in Division E both won. Long Eaton II (131/5) beat Hucknall II after Gary Flowers (5/27) had helped bowl them out for 127. Second place Stanton Awsworth Elks put on 170 before bowling out Gedling Colliery II for 76. In F, West Bridgford Legion’s Dave Roberts contributed 100 to his side’s 202/9 then Ian Buckley (5/20) helped dismiss Notts Unity Casuals II for 147. Toton Sycamore sank further despite half centuries from David Hoon (53) and Rob Darby (50); Gedling Sherwood II overhauled their total of 201 for the loss of 5 wickets. Further up the table, Ravenshead’s Julian Tadd took 6/13 as they secured a 20 point win over Whatton and Aslockton.

In G, second from bottom Chilwell (80) were soundly beaten by Lowdham (205/6) thanks to an all round performance of 68 and 5/13 from Waqis Nazir and 71 from Andy Seager. The most exciting match, however, was between Caythorpe III and Bestwood Village . Caythorpe batted first and scored a relatively modest 166, John Noall scoring 34. Bestwood Village ’s Adam Boucher made 70 as they chased. In the last over of the game John Noall (4/38) took a hat-trick, leaving Bestwood no wickets spare and wanting two for victory off the last ball. In the event there was a run out off the last ball and Bestwood finished one short.

The big match in H should have been between table leaders Rolls Royce Leisure II and early season challengers Rainworth Welfare. In the event, Rainworth scored just 113 and Rolls Royce knocked it off for 4 wickets.

Hoveringham remain top in Division J with an impressive six wicket victory over a strong Newark side whose first team were without a game. Newark posted 181 with Rob Taylor top scoring with 73, in reply the combination of father Nick (71) and son Stuart Walton (44) saw the leaders home. It was a family affair at Oxton too as Chris (70) and Mike Berry (47) were the main contributors in the home side’s 180 before Mark Zajac with for 4/5 helped dismiss mid table Stapleford for 134.

The two in-form teams, Kirkby Portland II and Gladstone both recorded comfortable victories. Kirkby (187) triumphed at Loughborough (103) but even more impressive was Gladstone ’s rout of struggling Risley II. The home side posted a whopping 312 thanks to Martin Widdowson (89) and Pete Ford (79*) whilst with the ball, Neil Baines (5/ 29) and Glenn Burton (4/25) were the chief destroyers. In the big battle at the bottom, Caunton (95/6) gained valuable points at home to seemingly doomed Stanton By Dale II. Caunton had dismissed the fellow strugglers with four wickets apiece for Nigel Howitt and Andy Meale, whilst in reply Chris Smith top scored with 46 despite the best efforts of Stanton ’s Steve Wood (4/12).

Newstead II’s proud 100% record in Division K finally came to an end, fittingly at nearest challengers Sutton Bonington, who had Adrian Tongue (83 and 5/29) excelling with both bat and ball as Newstead fell 48 short of the 205 target set. Lenton Abbey (165/9) kept the pressure up in the chasing pack with a 53 run victory over Attenborough III, James Trafford and Matt Wand each taking three wickets for the victors. So too did Lambley (204) in their local derby success over struggling Woodborough, Lee Morley (60) top scoring for the winners. There will now be only one relegated club in K due to the resignation of South Muskham so it was a good week for Belvoir II who climbed off the bottom with a five wicket victory at home to Carrington Cavaliers (161), Richard Flower Senior (61) seeing the winners home. Woodborough now occupy bottom spot.

It’s as you were in Division L with the top two both winning. Bingham (211/6) had Sanjay Mannion, Pete Walton and Nick Payne all scoring forties and were too strong for struggling Shepshed III (144) but Stoke Bardolph remain hot on their heels after crushing eight man Old Paviors II. Mark Pratt top scored with 63 in Bardolph’s whopping 342 and then proceeded to take 4/56 as the home side crashed to 98 all out. Flintham pulled off a minor surprise with a 3 wicket victory over third place Breaston (123/8), Simon Gill (36 and 4/42) enjoying a fine day despite the efforts of Breaston’s Malcolm Astle who went one better than last week with 5 for 42.

West Bridgfordians remain in fourth after a thrilling victory at Belton. Earlier Nick Leader's half century had been the main contributor in a target of 159, which aided by Kev Smith's 47 the visitors squeezed home with three wickets and one ball to spare. Finally in L it was a day to remember for Kimberley 's Matthew Ross. More renowned for his leg spin, Ross hit a rare fifty in the home side’s 198 and with the ball took 5/ 45 helping dismiss Thrumpton II for 158, despite the efforts of Tony Downie who struck 53 in vain.

In M, Robert Bunkle (57) and Keith Binns (49) scored well for Balderton II in their 192/4.  Geoff Surr (71) and Jason Smalley (57) replied for Lambley II. For Balderton II, Andrew Smart took 5/35 and Jon Wiffen 4/40.

Division N saw a game between Farndon II and Whatton & Aslockton II finished within 55 minutes. Whatton & Aslockton II were bowled out for 17 with Robin Purchase 5/8 and Tom Wilson 4/6.   Farndon scored 20 without loss off one over to win the match. Other highlights were Richard Manning's 72 for Caythorpe IV (156/9) which was unfortunately not enough to stave off defeat against Hucknall III (157/5). Meanwhile, Mark Taylor (65*) and Adam Pett (55) enabled Long Whatton II (232/9) to beat Ruddington II (123) easily. Highest scorers again were Clifton Village III with 239/7 thanks to Dominic Robinson with 51 and Scott Fairhall 49. Stanton and Awsworth Elks III replied with 194/9 with P. Anderson and D.Coy both scoring 47.

Gedling Colliery III (58/3) easily beat Cotgrave II (54) to remain top of Division P. Ellerslie III are on a good run with another victory this time over highly placed Beeston II . Will Shields with 91 and 3/35 being a star, along with Eddie George 4/33. For Beeston II Aftab Zahir scored 53. Another Eddie, Eddie Torr of Radcliffe on Trent III took 5/3 in his side's victory over Thrumpton III to keep the pressure on at the top of Division P. Dave Lister with 75* and Paul Gent (4/27) ensured Long Eaton III 's win over Poplars.

West Bridgfordians III replaced East Leake II in the third place of Division R after a victory over Stanton Awsworth Elks IV (197/9). The main contributors to Bridgfordians’ 200/2 were 14 year old Chris Watkins with 91* and Simon Maggs with 51. East Leake’s defeat by Toton Sycamore II (121/6) ensured that Sycamore maintained the pressure on leaders Lowdham II while East Leake dropped to fourth in the table.