Brilliant Cooper lifts Kiveton
by Paul Barker, 7th May 2006

Throughout his first full season during the last campaign, the hugely talented Kiveton Park batsman Phil Cooper looked to be the biggest and brightest star that had graced the league for many years. At just 16 years of age, this lad had just about everything going for him plus he also possessed an incredible amount of confidence and self belief in his ability.

Many would have said that he was big-headed, but they were all wrong. He just has an incredible amount of faith in his own ability and there is nothing wrong with that. He is so richly talented, and should make it to the highest level if he continues to progress at the rate he is doing at present.

On Saturday Kiveton entertained promoted Bolsover and at the half way stage the visitors must have been very pleased with their efforts having reached a massive 235 for 8 mainly due to Salman Qadir (the son of the great Abdul) who made a mightily impressive 93 and the hard hitting Steve Wooley (31) who is capable of taking anybody apart on his day.

The old saying ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’ then came into play as the now 17 year old Cooper simply destroyed the Bolsover attack with a dazzling array of stroke play which came from a higher planet. He pulled, cut, drove and played every shot in the book as he reached a sensational unbeaten 135 which took his side to a brilliant five wicket win at 239 for 5.

This was an innings of the highest class and backed by Andy Marsh (47), the result was never in much doubt from a long way out. Chris Pemberton (3 for 56) bowled splendidly for Bolsover who didn’t do a lot wrong. Their only problem was they ran into a batsman who is without question ‘something very special’.  
When rain drove the players from the field at Cutthorpe, few would have given any hope of a positive result taking place when 35 minutes were lost and the match went into a time ratio. However they reckoned without the will to win attitude of two very positive sides, Cutthorpe and Blidworth.

Batting first, Blidworth lost an early wicket, but the New Zealander Doug Winger quickly settled into his stride and played some glorious strokes as they took control. Good support came from Andy Norwood (33), but it was Winger who caught the eye and he looked a player to be reckoned with as he made a very impressive 76.

The rain interval which saw 35 minutes lost, seemed to help the Cutthorpe attack in which only Steve Chapman (3 for 43) had looked a major threat before the break. Asadullah Butt then changed ends and looked infinitely more potent as he bagged 4 for 40 in a very productive stint. Blidworth closed their innings on 192 for 8 which was a good effort in the circumstances.

The rain interval meant that Cutthorpe had 1 hour and ten minutes plus 20 overs to knock off the required runs which was no easy task, but Blidworth deserve credit for playing the game in the right spirit and bowling 21 overs in the 70 minutes before the restricted overs period began. It would have been easy to slow things down, but this notion never entered their heads and they played the game how it should be played.

Cutthorpe certainly made their intentions felt immediately and after losing two cheap wickets, Andy Thompson set about the Blidworth attack with savage intent whilst Nigel Kingham supplied the subtlety at the other end. Thompson simply destroyed the bowling with a succession of fiercely struck shots making a magnificent unbeaten 107 whilst Kingham remained 56 n.o. as Cutthorpe strolled to victory with five overs to spare.

We stated at the start of the season that Killamarsh might be the surprise packet of the season and up to now that assumption is certainly bearing fruit. They simply walked all over Glapwell with ridiculous ease by seven wickets, and any side who doesn’t respect their ability is in for a nasty shock.

Batting first, Glapwell owed Matt Hall a huge debt of gratitude for his 30 runs as they were all out for a measly 94 runs with Pramuka Liyanage making a tremendous debut with 5 for 27. Great support came from Nalaka De Silva with 4 for 16, as Glapwell simply crumbled under the sustained efforts of the Sri-Lankan pair.

This target proved no problem to Killamarsh who reached 95 for 3 with hardly any effort. Adam Burgess 30 n.o., and that man Liyanage with an unbeaten 41 saw them home with plenty to spare. Killamarsh pose a big threat to everybody and they certainly look set for their best season in many years.

Worksop who many critics had written off certainly have opened the season very brightly. They gained a winning draw against Edwinstowe at Forest Corner and must be highly satisfied with the start they have made. Chris Taylor (54), Luke Ambrose (60) and Ramesh Sanjay (93) all scored well as Worksop made an impressive 212 for 3 when the overs ran out.

In reply Edwinstowe slumped to 163 for 7 with only Asif Zakir (34) and John Garnham (42) propping up an ailing batting line-up. Ramesh Sanjay made it a good all round day for himself taking 3 for 29 with a good display of swing bowling.

Edwinstowe were rated one of the favourites before the season started but have endured an awful beginning. Their looks to be plenty of good cricket in them but they do need to start putting some results together before their confidence drains completely away. On the other hand, Worksop’s start must be beyond their wildest dreams but they need to keep it going, after this impressive entrance.

Farnsfield piled up the biggest total of the day in scoring a mammoth 283 for 9 against Cuckney. James Bennett (87), Phil Creswell (64) and Dave Bell (59 n.o.) were the main scorers as Farnsfield ran riot and it took a super human effort from Richard Stroh who took an amazing 8 for 56, to quell the tide.

In reply Cuckney were never quite up with the rate but still managed a highly respectable 234 for 4. Elliott Hind (70 n.o.) and Richard Stroh who had a fabulous all round match with 60 runs were the main run scorers and along with Gareth Price (43 n.o.) they made sure their side was never in any trouble. This match again sums up perfectly the wonderful state of the Farnsfield wicket. It is a paradise for batsmen, but it must be an absolute nightmare to bowl on.

A game which was spoiled by the weather was the Notts. and Arnold Amateur against Marshalls match at Goosedale Lane. Batting first Notts. & Arnold made a huge total of 271 for 3 dec. with the brilliant Australian left hander Leigh Baldry scoring his first century of the season making exactly 100 n.o. Good efforts also came from Bill Trewartha (53 n.o.) and skipper Ian Flood (58).

In reply, Marshalls made a bold fist of things with their Aussie star Gareth Yelland making an unbeaten 75 and Chris Needham also being not out with 33 out of a total of 150 for 3. The weather had the final say however and both teams must have thought they could have won this game because the wicket certainly was of the highest standard.

Into Division 2 and Whitwell moved to the top of the league with a crushing seven wicket win over Farnsfield 2nd. Batting first Farnsfield were all out for 121 with only promising youngster Hadley Dunn (37) showing much resistance against the Australian Heath Bush who captured 7 for 35 in a terrific spell of bowling.

This score held no fears for Whitwell who raced to victory with skipper Alan Draycott leading the charge on 77 n.o, as his side reached 123 for 3 to clinch maximum points.

Ransome and Marles failed to take maximum points for the first time this season but only because they couldn’t separate the Anston final pairing. Batting first Ransomes reached 204 all out with Ian Sellars suffering the heartbreaking experience of being dismissed for 99, whilst Ian Barley (3 for 44) and youngster Andy Crowle (4 for 24) bowling brilliantly for Anston.

When the Anston innings was a few overs old there only looked the likelihood of one winner as the home side slumped to 32 for 5. However a familiar aggressive knock of 62 by Andy Ruczenczyn propped up the innings and Anston actually finished with a highly respectable 183 for 9 with Rob Taylor being the best of the Ransome’s attack with 4 for 32.

Eckington upset the good start that Papplewick & Linby 2nd had made, and showed enough to suggest that they will mount another challenge for promotion this season themselves. Batting first Papplewick could only manage a modest 162 all out with Steve Waite (72) and Steve Thomas (31) scoring in excess of a hundred between them. The rest of the batting was a tad disappointing although James Daniel bowled quite splendidly for Eckington to take 5 for 36.

The target set was never going to be enough and Eckington won the match on 165 for 5 with just one over remaining. Rob Carlile top scored with 33 and virtually everyone else contributed but got out when looking well set. However Eckington will not be worrying about this as they close in on the leaders.

Bridon showed their best form to claim a winning draw against Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2nd at Ordsall. Taking first knock Bridon amassed 245 for 9 with Rob McLeod making 55 and Darren Spooner 87 in a good batting display on an excellent wicket. Craig Scholes was the pick of the Hosiery Mills attack taking 3 for 35.

In reply, Hosiery Mills made a creditable 167 for 6 but never really threatened the Bridon total. Kyle Garside (41 n.o.) and Paul Wilkinson (40) were the main contributors but Bridon always seemed to be holding the whip hand in this game.

Spare a thought for Everton who batted quite superbly to reach 249 for 4 and then lost to Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2nd by two wickets. The very talented John Mimms made a splendid 117 for Everton and certainly didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. He received excellent support from Rob Nicholas (89) whilst Ronnie Landa (3 for 57) was the pick of the Notts. & Arnold attack.

After a bad start to the Notts. & Arnold innings, Everton must have felt very confident but a superb stand between Harvey Burton (52) and Jim Lees (52 n.o.) turned the match on its head and saw Notts. & Arnold finally arrive at a tremendous 250 for 8 to take the match. Chris Woods (5 for 62) was the pick of the Everton attack, but Notts. & Arnold deserve their credit for the way they chased and overtook such a huge total.

Mansfield and Pleasley’s match with North Wheatley with Leverton was disappointing to say the least as the weather finally took control and prevented a finish. Batting first Mansfield and Pleasley reached 150 for 8 in between the showers with Anthony Timpson making 52 and Jamie Bovill rolling back the years to take 4 for 29.

When North Wheatley collapsed to 11 for 3 all hope that they would chase went ‘straight out of the window’ and they settled on defending what they had. They finally concluded on 64 for 3 but in this match the rain was the only winner!