Tomlin Trophy round up
by Paul Barker, 26th July 2006

The Tomlin Trophy which is the premier cup competition in the Bassetlaw Cricket League has certainly thrown up some interesting results as we now get down to the last eight and in Whitwell’s case they have even took it a step further by qualifying for the semi-finals.

At Stone Close: – BRIDON 86 all out, lost to KIVETON PARK 87 for 5 by five wickets

Unlike the usual Kiveton Park wickets this one certainly had a bit of adventure in it with fifteen wickets falling for just 173 runs before Kiveton emerged victorious. Batting first, Bridon were in trouble immediately losing wickets at regular intervals and it was only a bold and determined unbeaten 42 by Anthony Latham that defied the Kiveton attack and added some form of respectability to their score.

It must be said however that the Bridon side was a rather young combination who were looking to gain experience but they found it hard work against a determined Kiveton attack in which James Radford (4 for 28) and occasional bowler Lee Brooks had the flattering figures of 4 for 7! On the evidence of this he should perhaps bowl a bit more.

Not that Kiveton had it all their own way with the bat as they lost five wickets before reaching the winning post. This was mainly due to Phil Cooper who followed up his brilliant century on the previous day with a quick fire 37 which saw his side through to the quarter finals.

At Park Avenue: - GLAPWELL 131 all out, lost to MANSFIELD & PLEASLEY 131 for 7 (less wickets lost)

Earlier in the season in the Mallen Trophy, Mansfield & Pleasley suffered the heartbreaking experience of losing a game in the Mallen Trophy against West Indian Cavaliers 2^nd owing to the fact that although the scores were level, they had lost more wickets. Incredibly enough they managed another such game at Glapwell, but this time were victorious owing to the fact that had lost three wickets less than the home side.

Glapwell’s form in the league competition has taken a turn for the better in recent weeks, but their batting in this match was a return to those bad old days with only Rob Davison (36) making any impact as they were bowled out for a paltry 131. Ross Pindar (4 for 39) and Ian Woodall (4 for 17) did the damage as Mansfield & Pleasley performed excellently in the field.

Despite a fine effort with the ball by Lewis Saxby (3 for 15) Mansfield & Pleasley drew level with the Glapwell score as the overs ran out with Matt Page top scoring on 32. Glapwell must have rued the fact that if they had performed as well with the bat as they did with the ball they may well have won this match!

At The Rookery: - MARSHALLS 145 all out, lost to WHITWELL 149 for 7 by three wickets

Last season in this competition, Blidworth who were then in Division 2 accounted for four first division sides to eventually lift the trophy, and Whitwell now look as though they stand a great chance of emulating that feat. Paul Van den Heuvel (44) and Chris Blood (32 n.o.) were the only Marshall batsmen to shine as Australian Heath Bush (4 for 21) and Andrew Heath (3 for 28) bowled tidily to dismiss them for just 145.

In reply, Whitwell found it far from easy but fine knocks by Nathan Morris (34 n.o.) and Ian Dennis (29) saw them pass their target with three wickets to spare. Marshalls may have felt that they could retrieve this match after their dismal batting display but a fine sixth wicket stand which was broken just before the winning hit was made between Morris and Christian Foster which yielded 57 priceless runs saw Whitwell become the first side to reach this year’s semi-finals.