Killamarsh are almost there
by Paul Barker, 27th August 2006

With an overwhelming eight wicket win over Cutthorpe, Killamarsh are now in a position where they can virtually only lose the championship themselves, rather than anyone else coming through to pip them at the post.

The position is that with two matches to play, Killamarsh need 25 points to clinch the title for the very first time. That is assuming that Cuckney take all 60 points that are available to them and whilst that is possible with the fixtures that they have left it is highly improbable. It could rain and wash out one of the days, and with our climate who would bet against that happening.

Killamash however are taking no chances whatsoever and they simply crucified Cutthorpe by eight wickets in the recent round of matches. When one considers that Cutthorpe are far from being a poor side their latest maximum points win shows how much confidence is flowing through the Killamarsh side.

Batting first, Cutthorpe were bowled out for just 110 with only Andy Thompson (29) and Asadullah Butt (25) showing the slightest form of resistance. They simply had no answer to Pramuka Liyanage (4 for 30) and Parminder Mudhar (5 for 18) who zipped through some pretty frail batting at will.

Killamarsh then sailed to victory with Adam Burgess (33 n.o.) and Sam Malpass (39) blasting them home with several overs to spare. When a side can blow away opposition like Cutthorpe in this manner, it goes to show how good a side, Killamarsh have become. I can’t see anyone stopping them, but we will all know in another fortnight (or before).

The second and third placed teams met at Langwith Road and Cuckney trounced a strangely inept Farnsfield by a whacking 162 runs. When Andy Edwards actually at last won a toss, Farnsfield inserted Cuckney and early on it looked to be an excellent decision as Will Butler, Richard Stroh and Elliott Hind were all back inside with just 30 runs on the board.

However a huge stand by Simon Shipp (78) and Daniel Brown (62) sent the score rocketing as Farnsfield’s attack wilted and some rather abject fielding presented Cuckney with valuable runs. Shipp in particular is a tremendous on side player and rather than bowl outside his off stump, the Farnsfield attack fed him and he didn’t need anymore invites to keep clubbing the ball to the fence. The final total was a massive 264 for 9 with Neil Sharp being the best of the Farnsfield attack with 5 for 76 after two good stints.

Farnsfield made a useful start but when James Bennett was out, the wheels came off big style. Only Paul Delaney who opened and was last out for 43 showed any application whatsoever as Will Butler (5 for 29) and Tom Ullyot who bowled some nigh on unplayable deliveries in taking 5 for 12, bowled them out for just 82. Ullyot is without question one of the finest slow bowlers to appear in the league for many years and he certainly gives it a right ‘rip’. None of the Farnsfield batsmen could cope with him and he was a constant threat right through the innings.

From one brilliant youngster with the ball to one with the bat and Phil Cooper of Kiveton Park has had his praises sung in these columns on numerous occasions. No need to ask why, just ask Bolsover who owing to holidays fielded a much weakened side and were clobbered for 300 for 8 in their fifty overs in the field. Cooper smashed a majestic 113 and Richard Grainger added a further 80 as Kiveton went ‘run crazy’, and only Steve Wooley 3 for 101 did anything to keep the score in check.

Not that Bolsover didn’t attempt to eclipse this total and Akram Khan blasted 107 n.o. and with Mark Bull (47) they put on a huge opening stand. Aklram Khan was still there when rain curtailed play with 12 overs to go and the score on 177 for 3. Kiveton felt that they would have gone on to win the match but on a smallish ground like Bolsover anything could have happened and with Khan still at the crease they were not without a chance.

The most mysterious events of the day came at Park Avenue where Glapwell batted first against fellow strugglers Blidworth and made 202 for 6 with contributions from Lee Topham (38), Matt Hall (35), Iain O’Brien (44) and Dean Graney (30 n.o.). Blidworth skipper Dave Wood bowled well for his side to take 3 for 53.

What followed next defied description! Blidworth simply settled for a draw making 96 for 4 in their fifty overs with Ritchie Gibbons being undefeated on 50. Whether they had little to come and had no confidence in the rest of their batting is possible, but in their parlous position one would think that they needed every point available so why they didn’t have a dart at it is very strange.

Perhaps they are hoping that all the other teams around the foot of the table will keep on losing and if they just pick up the odd points it might be enough. If that is the case it seems to be a very dangerous ploy and I feel that the sides who show a positive attitude are the ones that will survive and the negative ones will perish. I may be wrong but we will have to wait and see.

Something else which didn’t do their case any good was Marshalls whacking success over Worksop who are another side who are not altogether clear of the pack at the bottom. Batting first Marshalls amassed a huge 246 for 4 with Paul Van den Heuvel making a magnificent 116 and James Deacon adding a brilliant unbeaten 102, Ramesh Sanjay (3 for 61) was the pick of a very overworked Worksop attack.

This target was infinitely too many for Worksop who simply folded to 81 all out, with Mark Davies ripping through some woeful resistance to claim 6 for 28 in a great spell of medium paced bowling. Although Marshalls face two awkward looking games, Blidworth and Edwinstowe need to win two games to climb above them and that is far from being an easy task. Should they scrape together another ten points one would think that they will have reached the safety line. 

Edwinstowe gave themselves a slight chance of survival with a surprise victory over Notts. & Arnold Amateur but with matches to play against, Cutthorpe, Killamarsh and Cuckney they must need a miracle to survive. However one must credit them for their tremendous spirit and their unwillingness to give in as Notts. & Arnold found out to their cost.

Batting first Notts. & Arnold made 185 for 7 with Peter Evans (64), Leigh Baldry (58) and skipper Ian Flood (31 n.o.) leading the way whilst Edwinstowe skipper Paul Benson took 4 for 54 in one of his rather occasional spells.

The Edwinstowe reply was based around the dashing Asif Zakir who made a quite brilliant unbeaten 110 as his side reached 189 for 6 and added a vital 18 points to their total. Although they still need a miracle, Edwinstowe are hanging on and only a fool would write them off just yet.

It’s almost all over bar the shouting in Division 2 and Bridon look as though they will probably take the title. It has been a tremendous season for the side who were unquestionably the team of the 1980s and although it hurt this proud club to be relegated at the end of last season, they have bounced back superbly and deserve all the success they have gleaned this season.

However their latest match at Papplewick and Linby 2^nd was certainly one of their toughest of the season. Batting first Papplewick made a modest 154 all out with Steve Thomas (55) and  Nagasair Sookram (45) propping up a faltering innings which had been weakened owing to players being called up at the eleventh hour into the first XI. Wayne Spooner (5 for 31) and Matt Makings (3 for 27) were the Bridon bowlers in form and at this stage it looked like being another routine job and another easy win for Bridon.

Not a bit of it as Steve Alford (3 for 36) plus Steve Waite (2 for 38) and Wasim Rana (2 for 41) made things decidedly difficult for Bridon and had it not been for the excellent Wayne Spooner (53) and Simon Davison (37 n.o.) anything could have happened as Bridon struggled through on 155 for 8 and a two wicket win and a step nearer the title.

Ransome and Marles have pushed them all the way and in any other season would have skated away with the title and still they might if Bridon make one slip-up. Ransomes never looked in the slightest danger against Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd and walked away with a massive ten wicket win.

Batting first the Hosiery Mills reached 169 for 8 with Darren Johnson (35) and Sam Butler (35) sharing most of the runs whilst Paul Taylor (3 for 33) was the pick of the Ransomes attack.

The target set was to Ransomes an absolute ‘doddle’ as Ian Sellars (80 n.o.) and Francois Le Clus (79 n.o.) simply thrashed their way to victory with the minimum of effort. There is no doubt that Le Clus has been an outstanding signing for Ransomes and if they can retain his services next season they will undoubtedly shake a few sides up in Division 1.

Eckington fell further adrift of the top two and had it not rained at a vital time it could have been even worse. Batting first their opponents Anston made a relatively conservative 151 all out with Andy Forster leading the charge on 39. Luke Dawson (4 for 51) and Dave Barton (3 for 27) bowled excellently for Eckington who must have fancied the job at this stage.

However they fell apart and when the rain fell, Eckington were 73 for 6 with Chris Ludlam unbeaten on 38 and probably representing their last hope. Kevin Vollans (3 for 15) was the perpetrator of most of the damage and Anston must be deemed to be slightly unfortunate in the way things panned out.

Everton who have showed significant progress this season came to grief massively as they slumped to an eight wicket defeat against Whitwell. Batting first, Everton were once again thankful to the sensational Jon Mimms who probably thought his 48 runs represented failure, such is his high standards. Good support came from Gareth Campion (39) but the final total of 146 for 7 must have been a little disappointing to Everton. Nathan Morris (3 for 32) was easily the most productive of the Whitwell attack in a good performance in the field by his side.

This total never looked like causing any bother to Whitwell and they reached 147 for 2 in a canter with Ian Dennis (61) and Duncan Forrest (67 n.o.) being very impressive as Whitwell claimed another victory.

The relegation issue is now almost over with Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2^nd and Farnsfield 2^nd almost certain to descend. North Wheatley with Leverton went a long way to securing their place for 2007 with a seven wicket win over Farnsfield. Batting first Farnsfield were well served by Gary Peck who made a typically aggressive 43 and good support came from Mark Hallam (28), Phil Tyler (25) and Gary Wilson (22 n.o.) as they reached 176 for 8 when the overs ran out. Robin Hackney (3 for 39) was the pick of the North Wheatley attack.

In reply North Wheatley coasted to 177 for 3 with Dave Waller (44) and the in form Wayne Harrison batting superbly for his 82 n.o. The one shining light for Farnsfield was the wonderful control of 14 year old James Smith who took 2 for 50 with his superbly flighted leg spin attack. The Farnsfield club have high hopes for this talented youngster.

It is extremely refreshing that slow and spin bowling seems to be coming back into fashion. Earlier we dwelt on Cuckney’s Tom Ullyot and now James Smith. The future looks great when talent of this magnitude is in our grasp. Long may it continue.

The final match in the Division between Mansfield & Pleasley and Notts. & Arnold Amateur 2^nd was abandoned without a ball being bowled.