Du Plessis leads Calverton run chase
by Karl Oakden, Dennis Wright, Phil Johnson and Mim Davies, 22nd May 2005

Calverton continued their impressive start to the season with victory in the top game of the day at Plumtree. They beat the hosts by three wickets with Clint Du’plessis scoring 55 in their successful run chase. Also in Division A. Ellerslie amassed 284/3 in just 40 overs against Eastwood (173/3). Samrat Sharma (109) with key support from Lee Scott (60) securing a comprehensive winning draw.

In B’s only match to beat the weather Plumtree II beat Loughborough Carillon by 4 wickets thanks mainly to Mark Oldham (73) and Intiaz Kayani (4 for 34). An opening stand of 252 by Kirkby-Portland’s Steve Betteridge (150*) and Dave Gillwhite (103) gained Kirkby-Portland (282/3) control in a high scoring match against Hucknall. And despite Steve Fearn’s 110 Hucknall ended a great game 10 short of victory.

In C, Radcliffe-On-Trent II beat Keyworth by 6 wickets. 15 year-old Dan Mason with 61 not out seeing the hosts home. Elsewhere a good all-round performance by Tim Caldwell (43 and 5/45) helped Wilsons claim a winning draw against Kimberley Inst II.

In Division D Long Whatton easily saw off Lady Bay Boots by 8 wickets and Hickling also won well at Risley with Andy Swann (5/33) doing the damage. Attenborough II set Old Paviors 223 to win and in a tight game, Bryn O’Connor’s 71 proved to be in vain as the hosts fell 10 short of victory.

Division E saw Lady Bay Boots (146) sliped to another defeat, this at home to Gedling Colliery (206/8dec). Long Eaton II comfortably chased Wymeswolds 136 for the loss of 5wkts. The only other completed game saw Nuthall dismissed for 42, a total Stanton Awsworth Elks passed in only 9.5 overs. For the 2 nd week Ravenshead beat Eastwood Town II with a Tadd scoring a century, this week brother Andy matched Julians performance again supported by Chris Mason 82*.

West Bridgford Legion (139/8) beat Toton Sycamore in the gloom of 9:10pm . The rain interrupted Totons innings before resuming at 6pm finishing on 138/7. Legion then lost wickets steadily but always looked capable of the victory they gained. Calverton II have shown clear intentions that they don’t want to stay in Division F any longer than necessary, this week Gedling Sherwoods 140/9 was passed for the loss of only one wicket. In G Bramcote II (178/6) easily beat Bestwood Village (125). Epperstone (190/5) were grateful for Liam Hartley (6/38) as Caythorpe III were closing in on victory before succumbing to 163-a/o.

In Division J Hoveringham made it three wins out of three with another convincing victory, this time over struggling Loughborough. Stuart Walton (76) was in the runs again as the home side reached 173, in reply the visitors could only muster 77 with Neil Smith taking 4 for 16.

Kirkby Portland were rewarded for returning to the field after the showers with a six wicket victory over hosts Stapleford. Gary Glenn’s 87 saw the visitors home chasing 151 after Darren Gelder’s unbeaten 56 had been the top score for the home side.

Something had to give in the bottom of the table clash at Stanton by Dale and it was the home side that climbed off the foot with a five wicket victory over visitors Risley. The home sides heroes were Stephen Wood (47) and Andy Naylor with a fine individual performance of 45 not out and 3 for 36 with the ball. Earlier Mick Cox’s unbeaten 64 and Richard Hufton (40) had helped set a challenging total of 172.

There is no stopping Newstead Village seconds in Division K. In the only completed game in that division, the visitors saw off nearest challengers Lambley Village by 127 runs. Gareth Blikhorn followed up his century the previous week with another unbeaten knock of 81 assisted by Matt Thrower (49) and James Easom (38) enabled the visitors to declare on 236. In reply, veteran Pete Hand took his wickets tally for the season into double figures in only three games with 4 for 26, Mick Crossland (3 for 17) also got in on the act as Lambley were shot out for 109.

Another in form batsman is Breaston’s Steve Battle. Last weeks century was followed by an unbeaten 71 as the visitors passed Belton’s 152 with seven wickets to spare in Division L. A boost for Kimberley thirds was the return of Neil Johnson whose unbeaten 62, coupled with a captains performance from Steve Tilley (50 not out) enabled them to ease past the 178 set by Shepshed for whom Richard Perkins top scored with 56. West Bridgfordians seconds had a walkover against Old Paviors seconds who were unable to raise a side.

In Division N , Plumtree III won again beating Stanton Awsworth Elks III by 8 wickets.  Chasing 136 they got there through Phil Garner 53* and Michael Tew 55*. James Thorne for Ruddington II was unluckily left on 90* when their match was abandoned.

Two matches in Division M survived the downpour, but both were nailbiters with last wicket victories.  Chilwell II (116/9)beat Newstead Abbey Village III and Stanton Awsworth Elks II beating Underwood II (124a/o) largely thanks to Ian Trueman's 62 out of his team's 125/9.

In Division P for Poplars a century from Austin Jones and 63 from Dave Thompson ensured victory against the Ellerslie and the rain in their score of 224/6. Ellerslie replied with 158/8. The only other game in Division P saw Cotgrave II beat Kimberley Institute IV with Kirby Shreehari taking 5/10 and Ian Lynn scoring 51.