Killamarsh closing in on title
by Paul Barker, 20th August 2006

On a day of mixed fortunes with the weather, Killamarsh eased a further three points clear of Farnsfield with another emphatic twenty point win over struggling Edwinstowe. For once the Killamarsh batting failed somewhat as they were bowled out for just 156 with only Paul Burdett (45) showing anything like usual form as his colleagues struggled on a rather damp strip.

Shaun Bullin (3 for 23) and Asif Zakir (3 for 51) were the pick of the Edwinstowe attack but it shows the confidence that Killamarsh have these days when skipper Adrian Rivington  told me later that at no time did they feel threatened and considered this score more than adequate.

He was proved to be right as Pramuka Liyanage (3 for 18) and Parminder Mudhar (3 for 34) tore through some flimsy resistance and had it not been for Asif Zakir who made 39 and Jon Garnham 13, one dreads to think how few Edwinstowe would have made. Add another 14 extras, and in the end they were bowled out for just 86 meaning nine other players managed just 20 runs between them, which represents a rather poor effort.

Killamarsh are certainly on the verge of something very big and they only have to keep their nerve now to lift their first ever Division 1 title.

Farnsfield although acquiring a winning draw dropped a further three points which was something they could ill afford to do. Farnsfield skipper Andy Edwards told me that he doesn’t think he will ever win another toss in his life as once more his side took first knock this time against Notts & Arnold Amateur.

Despite the wicket looking a little greener than usual it played superbly and James Bennett (56). Paul Delaney (42) and Rashid Riaz (60 n.o.) built up a most useful 255 for 5 in their 50 overs. They could even afford the luxury of Riaz running out the potent Paul Franks something the Notts. player wouldn’t have been too happy about I would guess!

In reply Notts. & Arnold were never at the races and closed at 163 for 8. Only Joe Pallister (32) made much of a score against Neil Sharp (3 for 40), Mark Silcock (2 for 31) and 13 year old Sam Wood who made his first team debut and took a very impressive 2 for 14. Farnsfield however now have to hope that Killamarsh make a slip up but they have to keep winning also. Its interesting but at the moment, Killamarsh are certainly the clear favourites.

Bolsover have certainly become the most improved side in the division over the last few weeks and they picked up another win over a very poor Blidworth side at Burmah Road by seven wickets. Once Bolsover skipper Charlie Walker had won the toss it was obvious Blidworth were going to be inserted and whilst Ritchie Gibbons and New Zealander Doug Winger didn’t look in a lot of trouble scoring runs was a major problem.

Gibbons eventually top scored with 38 out of a fifty over total of 133 for 8 with only Doug Winger (23) and Richard Thomas (25) showing any application amongst the rest. Bolsover bowled a tight line and length and skipper Charlie Walker (2 for 26) and Eddie Grant (2 for 28) were outstanding.

With the wicket drying in the sun, Bolsover looked comfortable right from the word go and openers Mark Bull (42 n.o.) and Akram Khan (43) put on 84 for the first wicket which effectively won them the match. They went on to finish 136 for 3 with only Rollo Sharma (2 for 29) making any impact, but even his figures were blighted by six no balls which his side couldn’t afford at the time. The Blidworth bowling and fielding as a unit left much to be desired and on this woeful showing they look likely to be relegated straight back to Division 2.

After quite a good start to the season, Blidworth have faded away rapidly and with some of the team reporting for football duties it has weakened them immensely. They have an extremely tough run in and they are now in desperate need of a win. Sadly on the evidence of this you can’t see where it is going to come from. On the other hand Bolsover are now cock-a-hoop and have every chance of finishing the season in a quite respectable position.  

Cuckney have put together a great run of late and had they not faltered in mid season, would have been right up with Killamarsh and Farnsfield. Although their opponents Worksop made a quite respectable 200 for 9 with Steve Bentley (61) and Mark Ambrose (55) top scoring it was never going to be enough and Cuckney coasted to victory by seven wickets.

The bowler’s in form for Cuckney were Tom Ullyott (4 for 47) and Cliff Adwick (4 for 45) and their work was rewarded as Simon Shipp blasted 96 (80 of them in boundaries) and Richard Stroh (57) to give Cuckney a maximum twenty points.

Glapwell did themselves a power of good by picking up twelve points for a weather draw at Kiveton Park, but lady luck may well have been with them on this occasion. Batting first Glapwell made a reasonable 212 for 6 on one of the league’s best wickets but as had happened everywhere the moisture had altered things somewhat. Good efforts by Matt Hall (34), Nick Truswell (79) and Dean Graney (30 n.o.) helped to construct the Glapwell innings but one always wondered if it would be enough.

Of that we shall never know but with eight overs remaining when the rains came down and skipper Rob Coxon well set on an unbeaten 88, Kiveton must have been overwhelming favourites to win needing only a further 32 to clinch victory. Matty Cartwright had also batted well in making 32 and Iain O’Brien had bowled his usual superb line and length to take 4 for 35 for Glapwell as Kiveton reached 181 for 6 when play ceased.

Cutthorpe and Marshalls were another two sides who were blighted by the weather and the latter were probably more content with the weather’s intervention than the home side. Batting first Cutthorpe made a respectable 206 for 7 with Andy Thompson ((65), Matt Cluer (48) and Steve Chapman (30) blasting runs at a furious pace. Chris Needham (3 for 33) was the pick of a Marshalls attack which lacked hostility and bite.

In reply Marshalls had made 128 for 5 when rain intervened. Mark Whitlam (31), Gareth Andrews (39) and Chris Needham (26 n.o.) had all batted well for Marshalls but one had the impression that not a lot was left in the locker. It may well be that the nine points Marshalls gleaned from this match will prove to be decisive at the end of the campaign.

In Division 2, Bridon cemented their place at the top with a winning draw over Everton and once again it was done in fine style. Batting first, Bridon made a massive 241 for 5 with Darren Spooner making a magnificent 110 and being well backed by Richard Topham (41 n.o.) and Roger Wells (40) as the Everton attack struggled to keep the score within reasonable proportions.

The incredible thing was that Everton’s run machine Jon Mimms actually failed for once, he only scored 59 which is the first time in about a month he hasn’t made three figures! John Shaw (33 n.o.) kept it going right to the very end as Everton limped to 145 for 9 whilst Chris Ward (5 for 23) bowled brilliantly for Bridon who were just thwarted of victory.

The match between the second and third place teams Ransome and Marles and Eckington resulted in a 46 run win for the former. Ransomes were worried before the off when they had to field a rather under strength side, but it made no difference as they always appeared to be in command.

Batting first Ransomes ere dismissed for 192 with Ian Sellars (42), Francois Le Clus (35) and Rob Taylor (40) were the architects of this score whilst Simon West (3 for 48) was the best of the Eckington attack.

This target always looked a few too many for Eckington and only Chris Ludlam (59) delayed the inevitable. Rob Taylor (6 for 23) was the destroyer-in-chief and Ransomes certainly look as though they will be joining Bridon in the top section next season.

All the other matches in this division were affected by the weather with Anston coming the closest to an outright win at Papplewick and Linby 2^nd. Batting first Anston reached 198 all out with Kevin Vollans (56) and Mark Parkinson (51) top scoring. Steve Waite (4 for 39) and Steve Alford (3 for 37) were the principle bowlers for Papplewick and both kept a good line right through their spells.

Papplewick never really looked like topping this score and when rain brought proceedings to a halt they were struggling at 138 for 8. Only Wasim Rana (30) and Matt Dear (28) made any headway whilst Graham Tweed (4 for 29) was the best of the Anston attack.

Spare a thought for North Wheatley with Leverton who had earned four bowling bonus points when they had Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd 85 for 9 but owing to the fact that rain drove them in at this point and 50% of the match was not completed they drop back down to a standard six points for a rain draw. Is this fair? Personally I don’t think so, but it needs to be brought forward at the A.G.M. that any bonus points earned are kept. Quite frankly I couldn’t see a single club voting against such a proposition.

North Wheatley are still in relegation trouble and if they are pipped by up to four points by a side below them, they will feel rather aggrieved and rightly so. For the record Rob Ward had blasted 45 in his usual flamboyant style and Robin Hackney had bowled brilliantly for North Wheatley to snare 5 for 37 for his efforts.

No such problems at Whitwell in their match against Mansfield & Pleasley where the home side had reached 101 for 2 when rain halted play. Duncan Forest had made an unbeaten 42 but neither side had qualified for any bonus points so the six each was a more than fair solution.

The final match in this section between the two bottom clubs Notts. & Arnold 2^nd and Farnsfield 2^nd at Goosedale Lane, never got started and was abandoned.