Killamarsh make it a glorious treble
by Paul Barker, 17th September 2006

The excellent setting of Cuckney Cricket Club was the venue for the annual Champion of Champions between the South Notts. Cricket League winners Gedling Colliery, and their counterparts from the Bassetlaw and District League, Killamarsh Juniors. Although the weather was never stunning with bright sunlight it was predominantly pleasant and at no time did any rain threaten as Killamarsh skipper Adrian Rivington won the toss and invited Gedling to take first knock.

A good opening stand by David Mason and Duncan McKeown saw both players immediately in good form and the score moved along to 42 before Adam Burgess snapped up the former at slip off the bowling of Steve Ludlam.

Still Gedling looked to be moving along well but an astute bowling change with the score on 68 stood the game on its head and tipped the scales very much in Killamarsh’s favour. Parminder Mudhar who has had a season he will never forget was brought into the attack and without any movement in the score three wickets fell in one over. First to go was Jeff Burton, bowled for 7 and then Graham Burton was dismissed exactly the same way, and Steve Burton was trapped lbw, all to Mudhar.

One might say (excuse the pun) that they were gone for a Burton, but it certainly put a whole new complexion on the match and it was not long after when Shane Pidgeon, Gedling’s inspirational skipper was caught at the wicket by John Wooliscroft to give Adrian Rivington his first wicket at 88.

All this time and with chaos striking at the other end, Duncan McKeown had stood admirably firm but at 103 he was next to go when Mudhar struck again, trapping him lbw for a well made 36. Without any addition to the score it became 103 for 7 with Mudhar bowling George Billam who departed without troubling the scorers, but it was at this time when one had visions of an early finish that youngster Ben Johnson and Michael Bailey decided something desperate needed doing.

Both players took chances, but both batted extremely well and with some searing shots the score progressed rapidly and 150 was reached which had looked a long way away earlier. Johnson was bowled by Rodney Cook for an excellent 29 when the score reached 162 and Bailey continued to lambaste the ball around finishing unbeaten on 42 as Gedling closed on 173 for 8.

Mudhar was far and away the best bowler on view and thoroughly deserved his 5 for 30 haul. He has had an outstanding season and would probably like it to go on forever. The other wickets fell to Steve Ludlam (1 for 26), Rodney Cook (1 for 31) and Adrian Rivington (1 for 51) in a good all round effort by the Killamarsh side.

It didn’t take long before Killamarsh were firing and Paul Burdett was quickly into his stride making tracks down the wicket to the opening bowlers before being caught by Duncan McKeown off the bowling of Michael Bailey for 20 with the score at 34. However at this stage Gedling missed a great chance when Adam Burgess was dropped and any chance they had virtually disappeared when that happened.

It wasn’t long before Sam Malpass was into his stride and the talented 19 year old cheekily upped the tempo with some superb shots all around the wicket. Burgess was totally in command also, but it was Malpass who upped the scoring rate with a dashing knock and anything slightly off line or short was punished severely. Malpass perished when he miscued another bad ball from Danny Mather and was comfortably caught by David Mason for a superb 40 runs.

Burgess had until that point been content to play the supporting role but he now decided he was going to be ‘top of the bill’ and some magnificent shots with one in particular stroked through mid wicket effortlessly for four will stick in the memory for a long while. A huge six cleared the indoor school and just when he looked like being there at the finish he was bowled by Jeff Burton for a magnificent 67 runs.

David Allen (21 n.o.) and Steve Ludlam (12 n.o.) made sure there were no further disasters as Killamarsh raced home at 174 for 3 with four overs to spare. Jeff Burton (1 for 35), Michael Bailey (1 for 23) and Danny Mather (1 for 36) took the three wickets to fall, but this was another great day for the Bassetlaw champions who have certainly had a tremendous season adding this Champion of Champions trophy to their Division 1 title and Tomlin Trophy success.

The presentation party consisted of Mr. Geoff Gooch (Chairman of the Nottinghamshire Cricket Board), Trevor Wilson and Peter McKenzie (Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Nottinghamshire Senior Cricket Board). They presented commemorative medals to both scorers, both umpires Erv Devney of the Bassetlaw League and John Robinson of the South Notts. League and both sets of players and finally the coveted Champion of Champions shield to Killamarsh skipper Adrian Rivington.

Parminder Mudhar quite rightly for the way he changed the course of the game was appointed man of the match and thanks were also bestowed to Mr. Alan Croome of Mapperley Sports who sponsored the bat awarded to the man of the match and the medals. Cuckney cricket club were also thanked for their part in providing such wonderful facilities and their catering expertise. 

 Scorecard

KILLAMARSH JUNIORS WON BY 7 WICKETS