Mansfield & Pleasley stun Worksop
by Paul Barker, 1st August 2006

The shock of the round was the deposit of Worksop by Mansfield & Pleasley from Division 2 and it has to said this was no fluke. M. & P. simply outfought and outclassed their Division 1 opponents and were ridiculously easy winners. Killamash and Blidworth fought out a titanic struggle at Sheffield Road with the former going through on less wickets lost and Kiveton Park or should I say, Phil Cooper totally overwhelmed Bolsover in the other tie.

At Sheffield Road: KILLAMARSH 232 for 3 beat BLIDWORTH 232 for 8 on less wickets lost

THIS sort of occurrence seems to be happening regularly in this season’s cup competitions and in another heart-stopping encounter, Killamarsh knocked out the holders, Blidworth by claiming a wicket with the very last ball of the match. This match simply had it all and another 464 runs were scored on the much-maligned Killamarsh wicket which makes one wonder if some people know what they are talking about or if they are happy just to moan.

Batting first, Killamarsh raced to 232 for 3 with Pramuka Liyanage (57), Sam Malpass (50) and Paul Burdett (73 n.o.) flaying the ball to all corners of the ground in a fearful onslaught against the Blidworth attack. There was to be no let up and Blidworth must have been mighty pleased when they reached the end of their 40 overs.

However the holders are a side who never give up and they came back very strongly when they batted with New Zealander Doug Winger leading the charge with a brilliant 98. Great support came from Ritchie Gibbons with 41, whilst Dave Allen (3 for 27) kept chipping away and picking up vital wickets.

Steve Ludlam (1 for 44), Adam Burgess (1 for 19), and Adrian Rivington (1 for 23) all bowled economically for Killamarsh but it was Pramuka Liyanage who bowled what turned out to be the final over and with the scores level, the Sri-Lankan clean bowled Richard Smith to give his side victory by means of losing less wickets in what was a splendid match.

At Stone Close: KIVETON PARK 293 for 5 beat BOLSOVER 135 all out by 158 runs

BOLSOVER must be another team who are wondering why 17 year old Phil Cooper is not in the league representative side. It is the biggest mystery in Bassetlaw League cricket, and once again this incredible young batsman showed what he is capable of by thrashing everything that was bowled at him as he amassed a magnificent 165 runs.

Cooper must be the most talented young batsman seen in the league for years and how he keeps being ignored is beyond belief. He simply treats everything bowled at him with total disdain and when he is in this mood it is impossible to bowl at him. Andy Marsh gave great support making an unbeaten 53 as Kiveton reached a huge 293 for 5 which quite literally gave Bolsover little or no chance.

As it was they were bowled out for just 135 but don’t take anything away from Steve Wooley who clobbered a mighty 81 runs in a vain attempt to turn the tide back his side’s way. Kyle McKeeman (3 for 30) and Richard Spurr (3 for 23) were Kiveton’s destroyers as they marched on to the semi-finals.

At Central Avenue: MANSFIELD & PLEASLEY 134 all out beat WORKSOP 93 all out  by 41 runs.

A fantastic performance by Mansfield & Pleasley assured that for the second season running a second division side would contest the final. On a low and slow Worksop wicket, M & P grafted to a modest 134 all out in 35.5 overs with Matt Page batting brilliantly for his 51. Great support came from skipper Darren Walker with 19 and Luke Ambrose (3 for 11) was the pick of the Worksop bowling attack.

In reply Worksop simply sunk without trace and their batting display was dismal to say the least. Only Chris Taylor (18) looked like scoring any runs as Ian Woodall (4 for 21) and Ross Pinder (3 for 23) sliced through them with ridiculous ease. Great back-up work was achieved also by Matt Page (1 for 3), Darren Walker (1 for 20) and Anthony Timpson (1 for 18) as M & P won virtually as they pleased by 41 runs.

Draw for Semi-Finals:- KILLAMARSH v KIVETON PARK; MANSFIELD & PLEASLEY v WHITWELL. Matches to be played by 20^th August.