Cuckney still pose a threat
by Paul Barker, 29th August 2006

Although Killamarsh are the overwhelming favourites to take the Division 1 title, Cuckney have certainly not ‘given up the ghost’ and they thumped relegation threatened Blidworth by nine wickets at Langwith Road to complete their match in hand which leaves them 17 points adrift of Killamarsh.

Being practical about things this looks too big a gap for anyone to close at this late stage, but stranger things have happened in the past and it would be most unwise to say everything is ‘done and dusted’ whilst there is still a possibility.

Blidworth did at least put on a better batting display than they had achieved of late with Rollo Sharma (42) and Andy Watson (46) boosting their score to 190 for 9 when the overs ran out. The two bowlers who caused Farnsfield so much trouble on Saturday, Will Butler (3 for 52) and Tom Ullyott (3 for 43) were at it again and they carried the principle threat for Cuckney.

In reply it was simply no contest as Simon Shipp (34), Will Butler with a masterly unbeaten 105 and Richard Stroh (53 n.o.) blasted Cuckney to 194 for 1 and a very easy victory.

Things are certainly looking bleak for Blidworth who started the season rather well but have fell away very badly over the last few weeks and are now in a hopeless situation where 2^nd Division cricket looks a near certainty at Burmah Road once again next season. Cuckney as we stated earlier are still not out of the fight for the title and Killamarsh must be very aware that this is a side who will not give up whilst ever they consider they have a glimmer of hope.

Edwinstowe after their confidence boosting win over Notts. & Arnold Amateur on Saturday slumped back to a 56 run defeat against Cutthorpe and now look racing certainties to accompany Blidworth to Division 2. Cutthorpe had something to prove after their tepid display against Killamarsh on Saturday and Asadullah Butt (50) and Tim Barlow (43) helped them reach 175 for 6 when the overs ran out. Richard Gombos was the pick of the Edwinstowe attack with 3 for 26 and how they have missed the ‘big man’ who has been injured for most of the season!

This score was miles too much for Edwinstowe who slumped dismally when they batted and were bowled out for just 119. Only Neil Dunn (30) and Asif Zakir (27) put any obstacles in front of a Cutthorpe attack in which Asadullah Butt (3 for 26) and Steve Chapman (2 for 42) set the ball rolling. The coup de grace however was administered by the very occasional bowler John Combe who took 4 for 14 from just 17 balls bowled and after Saturday’s defeat the Cutthorpe ‘lions’ were back on the prowl once again.

Glapwell virtually dismissed any relegation thoughts from their minds with a 97 run win at Bolsover. After making 181 for 9 with Matt Hall (39) and Phil Matthews (33 n.o.) top scoring they dismissed Bolsover for a paltry 84 runs to gain a big and very important victory. Steve Wooley (3 for 19) and Andy Pierrepont (3 for 54) were the best of the Bolsover attack and they did a first class job, but their batting left a lot to be desired.

When Bolsover took the crease Matt Hall who enjoyed a fine all round match simply went straight through them taking 5 for 26 in a hostile spell of bowling that absolutely destroyed the batting. This win should ensure Glapwell are in this division next season and whilst a few more points would be handy, Bolsover should be there as well.

A splendid match at Goosedale saw Notts. & Arnold Amateur beat Kiveton Park by one wicket in a match which incredibly had no umpires present. I know that several teams in the lower reaches of every league have this problem regularly and that is regrettable but quite frankly it shouldn’t happen in your flagship division and the league must be very concerned why this occurred on a day when only 17 matches took place.

Batting first, Kiveton made a highly respectable 226 for 2 with Richard Grainger (49) and the excellent Phil Cooper making 68. The star of the show however on this occasion was Matty Cartwright who made a magnificent unbeaten 74 which impressed everyone there with its quality. Leigh Baldry took the only two wickets to fall but this was by no means his last contribution to what was later to turn into an amazing afternoon.

Baldry is sheer quality when he is in top gear and the Kiveton attack found him to have answers to everything they delivered at him as he made a brilliant 126 which certainly went a long way to setting up the win. Ian Flood added 31 and it was left to Scott Leivers and 15 year-old Ryan Martin to see the victory through on 228 for 9 with four overs to spare.

Australian Andy Maher (4 for 51) and Richard Spurr (2 for 54) were the best of the Kiveton attack in what was an excellent, tense and very exciting game.

Strange things happened in Division 2 where Bridon must have been very disappointed when their match was called off without a ball being bowled the only match in the entire programme to suffer such a fate! Ransome and Marles made the most of the situation by claiming eighteen points from a drawn match against Mansfield and Pleasley which takes them within four points of Bridon with two matches to go.

Although disappointed not to have played, Bridon are now promoted back to Division 1 at the first attempt whilst Ransomes need just four points from two matches to be certain.

Batting first, Ransomes piled up 229 for 7 with Ian Sellars (35), Francois Le Clus (57) and Jonathan Aspden (57) all scoring heavily whilst Ross Pinder (3 for 53) and Ian Woodall (4 for 49) bowled tidily for Mansfield & Pleasley.

This total was never going to be troubled however and Mansfield & Pleasley despite good efforts from Anthony Timpson (37) and Ian Woodall (51) were left hanging on at 170 for 9 at stumps. Tom Cobb (4 for 29) was the pick of the Ransomes attack and whilst the Champagne is still on ice at Elm Avenue it surely won’t be long before they crack it open.

Eckington managed a winning draw over North Wheatley with Leverton but their excellent season looks to have failed once again in their bid to reach Division 1. However they have everything to be proud of after a terrific season which has seen them in the top three all the way.

Batting first, Eckington made 196 for 8 with James Daniel scoring a sensational 114. Great support came from Alan Lee with 36 and Jamie Bovill showed once again that when you have always had quality, you never lose it taking 4 for 31 in a good spell of bowling.

Wheatley had quite a good dart at this target and the signs over the last few games suggest that they have turned the corner after a barren spell. They finally ran out of time when they had reached 180 for 6 with Dave Waller (33), James Waller (35), Nick Purkiss (31) and Will Saville (28 n.o.) all batting well. Wayne Dye was the best of the Eckington attack taking 2 for 28.

The final match in this section brought a resounding and very easy eight victory for Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd over Farnsfield 2^nd who are now definitely relegated to Division 3. Only Glyn Edwards (27) made much of a token effort as Farnsfield were dismissed for just 84 with young slow bowler Adam Dobb weaving a magic web as he took 5 for 26 in a mightily impressive spell.

Once Andy Roberts got going it was quickly over and his crash, bang, wallop interlude saw him reach 37 n.o. in double quick time to put Farnsfield out of their misery as Hosiery Mills raced to 85 for 2 and victory.