Killamarsh leap to the top
by Paul Barker, 13th August 2006

The match between the two giants of the league this season produced a wonderful game of cricket which ended with Killamarsh beating Farnsfield by three wickets and leapfrogging their opponents to go to the top. When the immovable force meets the irresistible object something simply has to give and these two sides produced a match worthy of top billing which had everyone biting their nails down to their elbows right to the very end.

Batting first, Farnsfield reached a more than adequate looking 231 for 6 with James Bennett (63) and Rashid Riaz a sublime 78. The class of Riaz has proved to be the vital cog in the powerful Farnsfield machine and he has certainly proved to be a big ‘hit’ with his colleagues with a consistent flow of runs and a few wickets thrown in for good measure.

Killamarsh stuck to their task well and Pramuka Liyanage (2 for 76) and Parminder Mudhar (2 for 42) kept it as tight as possible as Farnsfield acquired yet another big total.

After years of flitting about between the divisions, Killamarsh have finally hit upon a combination that is capable of testing any side and they set about their task with relish. Paul Burdett (47) and Dave Allen (33) set the foundations and this was followed by a magnificent innings of 71 by Pramuka Liyanage who after an uncertain start, turned the game in Killamarsh’s favour.

It was ironic however that Mark Silcock who bowled superbly to take 3 for 53 and was probably the best bowler on view in this epic encounter, was carted back over his own head for six by Killamarsh’s inspirational skipper Adrian Rivington to win the match with just one ball remaining.

So as we go down to the final nitty-gritty, Killamarsh have definitely thrown their hat into the ring big style by inflicting the very first defeat of the season on Farnsfield. Providing they can keep things together they are poised to lift their first title ever. They have had some great sides in the distant past and players of the calibre of former Derbyshire and England test stars Cliff Gladwin and Mike Hendrick, plus Phil Russell, Graham Tune and Hugh Duff have represented them, but that was back in the sixties.

After many years in the wilderness they are now back as a major force. If they can keep things together the title will be theirs but Farnsfield will be waiting to bounce back with a vengeance and this powerful unit will put as much pressure on them as possible. Just one slip-up and Farnsfield will be back, you can count on that, but for now it is certainly Killamarsh!

A side who have certainly found their batting form in recent weeks is Cuckney and Kiveton Park were the latest side to feel the full force of it as runs flowed like a tidal current from their bats. Skipper Will Butler led the charge with a brilliant 122 and other spectacular knocks came from Simon Shipp (54), Richard Stroh (72) and Elliott Hind (34 n.o.) as Cuckney amassed a mammoth 299 for 4.

This total was always going to create a problem and it was simply miles too many for Kiveton who were left hanging on at 170 for 9 at stumps. Skipper Rob Coxon (62) was the rock of the Kiveton innings and without his brave effort his side would have certainly lost. Young off spinner Tom Ullyott (4 for 24) impressed once again and had Cuckney not suffered a mid season blip, they would certainly have been challenging Killamarsh and Farnsfield.

The relegation mire gets even tighter with several teams meeting each other and drawing their rivals closer in. At Middlefield Lane, Bolsover pulled off a mighty win by 138 runs and Marshalls are certainly looking over their shoulder extremely anxiously.

Batting first, Bolsover amassed a massive 263 for 3 with Akram Khan (79), Andy Rogers (78) and Steve Wooley (53 n.o.) flouting some insipid bowling to all four corners of the ground. When Bolsover put it together they certainly do pan any bowling which is slightly off line, but in the next match they let themselves down with an indifferent show. However on this evidence and with their confidence rising more each week they could easily avoid the drop.

Marshalls batting was simply appalling and they were bowled out for just 125 with James Deacon’s (44) saving them from a complete catastrophe. Bolsover skipper Charlie Walker who always leads from the front bowled brilliantly to capture 5 for 31, whilst Andy Roddis lent great support with 3 for 19. On the evidence of this showing Bolsover could and should escape if they keep their form going whilst Marshalls look devoid of confidence and must be in real trouble unless they turn things around very quickly.

No matter what a predicament Edwinstowe are in you can guarantee they will beat Glapwell every time the two sides meet and Saturday was no different whatsoever. There can be no doubt that Glapwell batted abysmally but by the same degree Edwinstowe bowled superbly. If it hadn’t been for Rob Davison, Glapwell would have been out for a lot less than 100 as the powerful right hander contributed 60 out of a pathetic 120 all out.

James Peacock (3 for 42) and Asif Zakir (4 for 21) both bowled brilliantly to give their side a lifeline as the Glapwell batting simply caved in. Although Edwinstowe lost three wickets they always looked in command and Craig Saxelby (35 n.o.) and Jon Garnham (31 n.o.) safely steered them over the line as they reached 123 for 3. Once again Iain O’Brien (3 for 30) did his best to turn the match in his side’s favour but this task was even too much for him.

Even allowing for this victory, Edwinstowe face a gigantic task to preserve their status. Looking at the fixtures they have left, one gets the impression that somebody up there doesn’t like them and if they can come out of this situation they will have performed a real miracle.

Another team who are getting sucked in all the time are Blidworth and they went down to a heavy defeat at Burmah Road against Cutthorpe by 67 runs. Batting first Cutthorpe made 213 for 9 with runs coming all the way down the order in particular from Andy Thompson (56), Tim Barlow (47) and the classy Nigel Kingham (35). Blidworth skipper Dave Wood bowled excellently to take an impressive 6 for 43 and he was backed up by New Zealander Doug Winger who bagged 3 for 56.

In reply Blidworth’s batting was simply woeful as they crumbled to 146 all out. Only Andy Norwood (41) showed any fight and Cutthorpe simply ran through the rest. Doing most of the damage was Andy Knowles (3 for 64) and that man Kingham who is having a truly inspired time at the moment and he claimed another four wickets for just 17 runs.

Blidworth are in desperate need of a win and unless they get one soon they could be in very serious trouble. Whilst there was some good performances from a few individuals in this match, the rest of the showing was rather lack-lustre and they need to correct that quickly.

A thriller took place at Central Avenue with Notts. & Arnold Amateur emerging from a recent bad run to win by four wickets in a terrific match. Batting first, Worksop made a handy 224 for 3 with Mark Ambrose (64) and Glenn Pym at his flowing best being unbeaten on 111. When the elegant left hander is at his peak there are few finer sights in the league and Notts. & Arnold felt the full force of his powers.

This target was not enough however as Notts. & Arnold surged to an emphatic victory on 225 for 6 with Bill Trewartha (40), skipper Ian Flood (62) and Greg Chapple (29 n.o.) all scoring heavily. Ian Flood has had a magnificent season in his first in charge and his example has clearly rubbed off on to his colleagues who have responded superbly to his leadership.

Into Division 2 and Bridon took advantage of the game they had in hand over Ransome & Marles to surge back to the top in menacing style. Quite frankly they were different class to North Wheatley with Leverton and despite good knocks from Wayne Harrison (47) and Wayne Ellis (35) nobody else got to grips with Wayne Spooner who took an impressive 5 for 15 in an all out total of 138.

From this point on it was simply no contest as Bridon surged to 140 for 1 and a conclusive nine wicket win. Darren Spooner (56 n.o.) and Wayne Spooner who enjoyed a tremendous all round game making 76 saw them home in a canter. Bridon look to be as near a racing certainty to be promoted straight back as you are ever likely to get and North Wheatley were most unfortunate to come across such a good side at the zenith of their powers.

Eckington who are in third place just simply will not go away and they marched to another win with a five wicket success against the hapless Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2^nd at Goosedale. Batting first Notts. & Arnold posted a nominal 162 all out with Harry Bhakar (58), Greg Martin (42) and Chris Cook (34) all making useful contributions. Unfortunately for them, the rest simply fell away as Luke Dawson (4 for 20) inspired the Eckington attack to greater heights and wickets fell with amazing regularity.

This score was never going to be enough and Chris Ludlam (34) eased his side to a comprehensive five wicket win. In most other season’s the way Bridon and Ransome & Marles have performed it would have seen them clear of the rest, but both sides know they cannot afford to slip up because Eckington will be there right to the very end. Of that there is no doubt.

Whitwell are another side who have had a marvellous season, but are probably a fraction too far behind at this stage to catch up. They easily accounted for Farnsfield 2^nd at Station Lane after dismissing the home side for just 155 which is rather an insult and an apology of a score on such a marvellous wicket. Only Gary Wilson (34) made any impact as Heath Bush (4 for 38) spun a trail of destruction through the Farnsfield batting.

This target was never going to be enough and Whitwell coasted to victory by six wickets on 159 for 4. Carl Curran (61 n.o.), Ian Dennis (36) and Darren Westerby (33 n.o.) showed how easy it was to score runs on this featherbed and must have wished that they played there every week.

Papplewick & Linby 2^nd are the real enigmas of this section! In recent weeks they have been bowled out for some rather poor scores but as we have seen before they are always capable of a big one when firing on all cylinders. Unfortunately for Everton and Jon Mimms and Mark Anthony in particular this was one of those days when it all came right for Papplewick who pulled off a sensational seven wicket win at the Metcalf. 

Batting first Everton reached 229 for 4 and needless to say the brilliant Mimms was well to the forefront once again with a sparkling 111. There is simply no stopping this run machine and he received excellent support from Mark Anthony who was unbeaten on 76. Nagasair Sookram was the pick of the Papplewick attack taking 3 for 19 in a good tight stint.

Incredibly it was not enough as Papplewick took charge and batted at their supreme best which will always test the best sides in the division when it is happening. Steve Thomas 92 n.o., and Matt Dear 79 n.o. totally took charge and Everton felt the full force of a side performing at its very best as they reached a highly impressive 231 for 3.

The final match in this section saw Mansfield & Pleasley totally dominate Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd and win by a commanding ten wickets. Batting first and despite losing an early wicket when Jeff Appleton was bowled by Anthony Timpson, the 13 year old Gareth Curtis batted steadily to make 13 and Paul Wilkinson (44) took the score along at a respectable level.

When Curtis was bowled by Ian Woodall wickets fell at regular intervals and had it not been for Wilkinson’s innings, Hosiery Mills would have been totally routed. As it was they collapsed from 96 for 5 to 101 all out with Ian Woodall (5 for 33) and Anthony Timpson (3 for 16) doing most of the damage.

This proved no problem to Mansfield & Pleasley as Matt Page provided the aggression with a flamboyant and entertaining unbeaten 66 whilst skipper Darren Walker played the supporting role and was unbeaten on 25 as their side reached an emphatic 103 for 0 with a mammoth 35 overs to spare.