Farnsfield show true colours
by Paul Barker, 4th June 2006

After a rather mixed start to the season mainly due to the weather, Farnsfield have in recent weeks nailed their colours to the mast and started to show what a good side they are. Saturday really showed their capabilities when they walloped high flying Kiveton by a massive nine wickets at Stone Close to let everyone know what they really can do.

Batting first, Kiveton reached a useful total of 220 for 8 mainly due to Richard Spurr’s 65 and a good supporting knock by Andy Marsh of 38. Neil Sharp (3 for 59) and Dave Bell (3 for 32) took the bulk of the wickets, but one wondered at the time whether this target would be enough on a wicket as good as this.

There can be no doubt when conditions are right, that Kiveton and Farnsfield are unquestionably the best two wickets in the division and this looked to be as near perfect as it was possible to be, and Kiveton quickly found out to their cost that this assumption was 100% correct.

Batting second Farnsfield effortlessly cruised to 222 for 1 and victory with James Bennett (44), Paul Delaney (82 n.o.) and Paul Franks (86 n.o.) hardly looking in any trouble whatsoever. This season looks tighter than ever at the moment and it would be sheer folly to rule anyone out of the title race at the moment.

Cuckney continue at the top after a massive eight wicket win at Blidworth. Batting first, Blidworth amassed 200 for 8 with Lee Wilson (61), Andy Norwood (39) and Rollo Sharma (32 n.o.) all batting well against a varied attack in which Richard Stroh (3 for 3 for 34) and Simon Shipp (3 for 28) played the starring roles.

This target proved totally inadequate as Cuckney roared to victory very easily. It was in particular a brilliant all round effort by both Simon Shipp who made a magnificent unbeaten 91, and Richard Stroh (50 n.o.) as they strolled to victory in real style to keep themselves at the top of the table.

Cutthorpe who made a wretched start to the season when they went down heavily with a badly under strength side against Cuckney are now beginning to look an awesome proposition as Notts. & Arnold Amatuer found out to their cost.

Notts. & Arnold batted quite well to reach an impressive 204 for 7 with Australian left hander Leigh Baldry (32) and skipper Ian Flood (63) both making impressive contributions. Asadullah Butt (3 for 28) and Steve Chapman (3 for 59) once again bore the brunt of the Cutthorpe attack and did it highly successfully indeed.

In reply a fabulous unbeaten 127 by Andy Thompson led the victory march for Cutthorpe and in the form he has shown this season, this guy must be as good an opening batsmen as you will find in any league. He never lets an attack dictate to him, he takes control from the first ball and Notts. & Arnold had no answer to his controlled savagery. Matt Cluer added good support with 53 and Cutthorpe presence is looking extremely menacing at the minute.

Worksop continued their excellent form with a winning draw against Killamarsh at Central Avenue. Batting first, Worksop with Chris Taylor (30) and skipper Steve Bentley (62) in good form got off to an excellent start with an opening stand of 74. This good work was carried forward by Glen Pym (33) and Ramesh Sanjay 58 n.o.) as the home side built up an impressive looking 235 for 5.

Needing a good start, Killamarsh were pegged back by some fine bowling with John Smith (2 for 28) and Ramesh Sanjay (2 for 42) both doing an excellent job. Although the pace was lifted, Killamarsh never really looked in a position to win the game and had to be content with seven points for a losing draw.

Adam Burgess (34) Pramuka Liyanage (38) and the very much in form Sam Malpass (37) all batted well for Killamarsh but their ultra cautious start was to cost them dearly whilst Worksop once again celebrated another success and this performance will have made their confidence grow even more as they got the better of one of the strongest combinations in the league at the moment.

Bolsover piled up the highest total of the day against Marshalls who have been left reeling by Gareth Yelland’s departure back to Australia. A magnificent and utterly chanceless 134 n.o. by Akram Khan proved to be the cornerstone of Bolsover’s massive 275 for 8 and this fellow has looked nothing but sheer class from the moment he arrived here.

He was helped by Mark Bull (28) and Steve Wooley (27) but Khan was quite clearly the superstar in a show of complete brilliance. Mark Davies took 3 for 100 for Marshalls who must have been delighted to see the 50^th over completed.

Marshalls never looked like troubling this mammoth total and were struggling from the word go. However skipper Paul Van den Heuvel led from the front making 46, and Chris Needham added 41, but Bolsover skipper Charlie Walker decided that what one captain could do, the other one could do just as well taking the first four wickets at a personal cost of just 40 runs. Marshalls finally held out, just, on 198 for 9, and Bolsover look as though they are beginning to get things together and may well surprise a few sides along the way.

Another side who finally put their troubles behind them was Glapwell who dragged Edwinstowe further into the mire and administered a fearful thrashing by seven wickets at Park Avenue. Batting first, Edwinstowe were totally blitzed as Glapwell blasted them out for a paltry 77 runs with Iain O’Brien (3 for 21), Nick Bircumshaw (4 for 17) and Gary Saxby (3 for 4) doing all the damage.

After some early losses, Glapwell cruised to victory with Lee Topham and Iain O’Brien both being unbeaten on 26. This could well be the turning point for Glapwell who are certainly a better side than their results would suggest, but were firmly anchored at the foot of the table before this match.

Edwinstowe must be wondering where it has all gone wrong. At the start of the campaign they were fancied by several good judges to be a major threat for the title, but injuries allied to some bad luck and some poor performances must be very worrying for them. They need to turn things around quickly before the malaise sets in totally.

A tremendous match at Ordsall saw Bridon become the first side this season to lower the colours of Ransome and Marles who have been literally flying at the top of the Division 2, by virtue of gaining a winning draw.

Batting first, Bridon reached 230 for 6 with Richard Topham a highly talented youngster making an impressive unbeaten 56. Great support came from Darren Spooner (66) and Chris Ward (42) whilst Gary Lambert was the most productive bowler for Ransomes by taking 3 for 53.

In reply Ransomes could only manage 203 for 6 but that only tells half of the story. The main man was without question the Newark’s side’s South African import Francois Le Clus who made a sensational 114 and whilst ever he was at the crease his side were going to win. However he was dismissed by a stunning catch by Gareth Jones the Bridon skipper in their glory days of the 1980s.

Many observers suggested this was one of the finest catches seen on the ground in many years and when this was pouched Bridon regained the impetus and Ransomes closed on 203 for 6. The match was a fantastic advertisement for cricket at this level and both sides will not be far away when promotion is decided at the end of the season.

Whitwell bounced back after two negative results with a superb six wicket win over Mansfield & Pleasley at Chesterfield Road. Batting first, Mansfield and Pleasley were once again indebted to Ian Woodall who made a magnificent unbeaten 105 out of a total of 192 for 7, his second century of the season.

In reply Whitwell set about their task with relish and as usual Alan Draycott (75) and Australian Heath Bush (54 n.o.) were in fine touch and blazed them to victory on 195 for 4. Both these sides have promotion aspirations and the ability is there for both to make a huge impact in the months to come.

On Saturday 16^th July last season, Eckington rattled up the monstrous total of 365 for 3 declared against Farnsfield 2^nd at Staveley Lane. This weekend at Station Lane, Eckington plastered 332 for 5 and one gets the impression that the Farnsfield attack must be thinking, ‘ thank Christ, we have only got these once more this season’.

Chris Ludlam was absolutely brilliant as he plundered his way to an unbeaten 142 and great support came from James Daniel (56) and Rob Carlile (34) as the Farnsfield attack simply wilted under the onslaught.

In reply, Farnsfield batted well on this superb track making 165 for 5, but at no time was the huge Eckington score ever threatened. Trevor West (68), Gary Peck (37) and Mark Hallam (33) all scored well, on an absolute paradise for batsmen. Anybody who fails to score runs on here and calls themselves a batsman should have second thoughts about it!

Papplewick & Linby 2nds are another side who carry a potential threat to every side and they can never be ruled out of the equation for promotion. Batting first they didn’t score as many runs as usual against Anston making a modest 178 all out with Steve Waite (45) and Matty Halford (49) top scoring. Ian Barley bowled absolutely brilliantly taking 7 for 31 and this was only the first of his contributions for the day as he had a profound effect on the match.

Anston are having a poor run at the moment and Papplewick quickly made inroads into their batting. They were finally bowled out for 144 with Greg Pearson remaining not out on 38 and Ian Barley yes Ian Barley making 54. Simon Roberts (4 for 30) and Steve Alford (5 for 25) captured almost all the wickets as Papplewick wrapped up victory by 34 runs.

It is still mystifying how any one man can play such a brilliant and dominating part as Ian Barley did (7 for 31 and 54 runs) and end up on the losing side. It must have been heartbreaking for the lad and after all his efforts he certainly deserved better!

Everton continued their terrific rise up the table with a 36 run win over North Wheatley with Leverton at the Metcalf Ground. Once again the magnificent John Mimms led from the front with 44, and Gareth Campion chipped in with the same score and Rob Nicholas made 30 as Everton closed on 167 all out.

This proved to be more than enough as North Wheatley were despatched for just 131 and are looking extremely vulnerable at the foot of the table. None of the Wheatley batting measured up to the task in hand and Chris Woods (4 for 34) and John Waghorne (3 for 41) never let their vice-like grip loosen as Everton continued their excellent form of late.

The final match in this section saw Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd beat Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2^nd by eight wickets in a fine performance at Goosedale Lane. Batting first, Notts. & Arnold reached 171 before being bowled out with Phil Allcock (84) and Peter Todd (36) being the top scorers. The Hosiery Mills attack kept a tight rein on things with Darren Shepherd (5 for 17) and Kyle Garside (3 for 32) bowling a superb line and length throughout.

This target proved no problem to Hosiery Mills who strolled to 173 for 2 with Robert Ward batting superbly for his 70 runs and good support coming from Paul Wilkinson (35) and the hard hitting Andy Roberts with 36 n.o.