Franks fires Farnsfield
by Paul Barker, 2nd July 2006

The last thing any team wants when they are struggling at the foot of the table is to run into a player of obvious class at his imperious best, but that is what happened to Glapwell when they ran into the Farnsfield ‘mean machine’ and Paul Franks in prime form. 

Add to this the debut of Pakistani Rashid Riaz and what looked like being a quite useful total was overcome by Farnsfield with seven overs to spare. Glapwell had made 222 all out which was quite a feat considering the ninth wicket went down at 141, but one got the impression that had Farnsfield been chasing 300 they would still have won.

Back to Paul Franks and an innings of the highest class. The Nottinghamshire star was like an ‘artist with a paintbrush’ as he pierced the field with consummate ease and treated everyone bowling at him with total disdain. Riaz who had already taken 2 for 61 in a fifteen over spell of off spin added a sparkling 78 and looks a major asset considering he hasn’t played for two months before this. When he is firing on all cylinders one shudders to think how good he will be.

Only Matt Hall with 47 made any impact as Glapwell put on another horror show when they batted and only a tremendous last wicket partnership between Shaun Johnson (38 n.o.) and Gary Saxby (41) who added 81 gave them any sort of total to defend. Neil Sharpe bowled a perfect line and length in a burst of four short spells taking 5 for 46 as Andy Edwards switched his bowlers well to keep them fresh in the searing heat.

The rest of the show was the Franks and Riaz ‘command performance’ as they took the attack to Glapwell in spectacular fashion. Neither player gave a chance until with the game almost won, Riaz was trapped lbw by Gary Saxby from his first loose shot after a sparkling 78. It was fitting that Franks should make the winning hit as he finished on 103 n.o. in an innings that won’t be bettered in the league this season, yes it was that good!

League leaders Killamarsh crashed to a seven wicket defeat at the hands of Notts. & Arnold who won with a substantial amount of overs to spare. Batting first Killamarsh could only reach 206 for 9 with Adam Burgess (52) and David Allen (37) top scoring. Gareth Chapple (6 for 74) was the best of the Notts. & Arnold attack in what had been an outstanding performance in the field.

On a pitch where big scores have been the ‘norm’ of late, one got the impression that this target was a bit on the meagre side and that is exactly what was proved. Australian Leigh Baldry made a sparkling unbeaten 91 and the usual ‘cavalier’ style knock from skipper Ian Flood of 60 and a vital 33 by Mark North saw Notts. & Arnold sail to 210 for 3 and an extremely comfortable win.

This is a side in good form at the moment and it will take someone at there very best to check them!

Bolsover decided owing to the football to start their match at 9.30 a.m. against Cuckney, but it didn’t do them much good as they succumbed by six wickets in a high scoring encounter. Batting first Bolsover brushed aside the early loss of Akram Khan to finish on a highly respectable 242 for 8 with Andy Crooks (50), Chris Cowley (31) and the hard hitting left hander Steve Wooley (76) plastering the ball all over the ground. Cliff Adwick (4 for 60) was the pick of the Cuckney attack which had taken quite a battering.

It didn’t affect them however as Simon Shipp (55), and an unbroken fifth wicket stand between Richard Stroh (92 n.o.) and Joe Riley (68 n.o.) saw them reach 244 for 4 with absolute ease as Bolsover struggled unsuccessfully to keep the in check.

Kiveton Park fell victims by five wickets to an in form Cutthorpe who were right back at their very best. Batting first Kiveton had the brilliant Phil Cooper (59) and Alex Gilbert (33) to thank as they reached a modest 207 all out. On many grounds this might look a reasonable total, but on a wicket as good as this one it must rank as an abject failure. Andy Knowles bowled splendidly for Cutthorpe taking 6 for 50 and troubled everyone in the process.

The moment that Andy Thompson (62) and Asadullah Butt (70 n.o.) got together their was only going to be one winner and that is precisely what happened as Cutthorpe eased to 209 for 5 and maximum points. Cutthorpe seem just a tad inconsistent and whilst not looking quite good enough to take the title, they are not to be taken lightly, they will swarm all over any side that does.

Marshalls came out of a long losing run to gain a winning draw against Blidworth. Batting first, Marshalls reached 244 for 9 with Chris Needham (69) top scoring with an admirable knock. Lewis Sprigg (3 for 59) was the pick of a sadly depleted Blidworth side.

In reply, Blidworth were soon in big trouble as wickets fell steadily. A fine stand by Kiwi left hander Doug Winger (66) and Andy Watson (31) seemed to have turned the game in their favour, but once they were separated, Blidworth sunk to 173 for 9 and were holding on at the close. Chris Needham who enjoyed a fine all round game took 3 for 35 and Gareth Andrews (4 for 29) as Marshalls produced their best form for several weeks.

Worksop who made a bright start that has gone rather pear shaped in the last few weeks came back to form with a comfortable 68 run win over Edwinstowe who are beginning to look as though they are in serious trouble. Batting first Worksop were indebted to Glen Pym for a magnificent 95 and Luke Ambrose who was undefeated on 63 as the score reached 224 for 4 when the overs ran out. James Peacock took all four wickets that fell for 45 runs but the Edwinstowe attack looks rather toothless at the moment.

This score was much too much for them however and only a splendid 39 by Craig Saxelby kept them in the game as long as they were. The thorn in their side was Paul Burton who retired at the end of last season but was pressed back into service and he responded with 5 for 35. Good on yer, Paul!

In Division 2 Ransome and Marles were giving Farnsfield 2^nd a pasting that they won’t forget for a long while. The match started early and Farnsfield probably wished it had started in the middle of the night because they certainly endured their very worst nightmare, as they became the latest side to run into the South African run machine Francois Le Clus.

A fortnight ago he took Whitwell for an unbeaten 181 and yesterday went one better as he smashed a colossal 211 and was out with about eleven overs remaining. If he had stayed to the end 300 would certainly have been on the cards! As it was, along with Ian Sellars (56) and Nigel Murray (52), Ransomes closed out there 46 overs on a huge 372 for 6 with young Sam Wood doing an admirable job for the overworked Farnsfield attack as he took 3 for 47.

In reply, Farnsfield were well served by Gary Peck (40), Dave Tilbury (37) and Glyn Edwards (33) and deserve every credit for the way they stuck to their task finishing on 199 for 8 for an honourable draw. Few teams will stop Ransomes and it is no surprise that they are already attempting to sign Le Clus for next season when they will surely be in Division 1. Teams in that section can watch out because this guy is really something very special.

Bridon continue in second place with a commanding 161 run win over Notts. & Arnold 2^nd at Ordsall. Batting first Bridon’s Rob McLeod rolled back the years with a brilliant 133 and Roger Wells supported well with 53. Jermaine Tuitt (3 for 50) bowled well but Bridon declared in the comfort zone of a rather potent looking 250 for 5.

This was far too many for a badly outgunned Notts. & Arnold side who were dismissed for just 89 paltry runs. Matt Makings (6 for 27) and Wayne Spooner (3 for 45) did the damage and Bridon continue to chase Ransomes and will not be shaken off very easily.

Eckington blasted Everton to keep up there challenge on the leaders by 117 runs at Staveley Lane. Batting first Eckington rattled up 253 for 6 with skipper Tom Dawson leading from the front with an unbeaten 75 whilst other major scores came from Mark Bridgeman (50), Rob Carlile (42) and Steve Nicholas (36) as their side went ‘run crazy’.

This target was always going to be too much for Everton who collapsed to 136 all out, despite good efforts from Andy Snell (36) and Gareth Campion (39). The destroyer in chief was Wayne Dye who bowled his left arm slow stuff to great effect and grabbed a highly deserved 7 for 30 in a mesmerising spell.

A great game took place at Anston where the home side came unstuck as Whitwell regained their early season form with a terrific two wicket win. Batting first Anston made 235 for 8 with Kevin Vollans (86) and Mark Parkinson (52) top scoring whilst Nathan Morris was the pick of the Whitwell attack taking 3 for 31.

As usual Alan Draycott gave his side a tremendous start with an excellent 60 but it was Tom Chester who produced the innings of the match with a sparkling unbeaten 77 as their side claimed victory on 239 for 8 in a real thriller. and Whitwell kept up with the chasing pack at the top of the table.

Papplewick & Linby 2^nd are a strange outfit. When they produce their best even Ransomes would need to be wary of them, but occasionally they produce a performance that is entirely foreign to their normal way of playing and the match against Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd was one of those.

Batting first Papplewick were thankful to Tim Clark (30) and Steve Thomas (37) as the reached 207 for 8 which is a modest total on a wicket as good as this usually is. And so it proved as Hosiery Mills sailed along to 211 for 7 and a three wicket win with a bit to spare. Paul Wilkinson (46) and Ben Rossi (43) were the pick of the Hosiery Mills batsmen whilst Wasim Rana (5 for 36) bowled superbly but lacked the support to turn things around.

Mansfield & Pleasley keep right on the edge of the chasing pack and they added another fifteen points to their total with a winning draw over struggling North Wheatley with Leverton. 

Batting first, Mansfield and Pleasley were well served by Anthony Timpson (50), Ian Woodall (48), Darren Walker (44) and Freddie Parker (33) as they reached a useful 199 for 6. Jamie Bovill (3 for 47) was the best of North Wheatley attack but one got the impression that this target would take some reaching.

Once Wayne Harrison (33) had been dismissed, North Wheatley decided to call it a day and play for the draw. Their 143 for 4 seems rather unambitious rather like Eriksson’s England football team but in their position every point counts to them and there was probably good reason for playing like this. Wayne Ellis (46 n.o.) top scored whilst Ross Pinder (2 for 31) was the most productive bowler for Mansfield & Pleasley.