Gedling put paid to Calverton's stay at the top
by Phil Johnson, 6th August 2006

The top of the table clash in Division A proved a one sided affair as Gedling Colliery (115 for 2), thanks to three wickets each for Nigel Porter and Andrew McLean and an unbeaten 65 from Jeff Burton put paid to Calverton’s long stay at the top with a crushing eight wicket success.

Plumtree (217 for 5) are the form team at present and after looking possibilities for relegation at the halfway stage, virtually assured themselves of a place in A next season after overcoming Eastwood by 40 runs, Scott Bailey and Mahmood Ali taking four wickets apiece. Collingham (225 for 7) remain in the bottom two taking 10 points from a losing draw at Radcliffe (228) who had 16 year old spinner Frankie Brown excelling with 6 for 66. Bottesford stay bottom as they felt the full force of Samrat Sharma’s return to form for Ellerslie. The overseas star smacked 158 out of 308 and despite a brave 128 from Matt Walker in reply the visitors fell 17 runs short.

Balderton are another side who will be nervously looking over their shoulder following a four wicket defeat at Attenborough. The visitors never really recovered from an opening burst by Martin Rayner who eventually claimed five wickets. Only fifteen year old Jack Beckett showed the application necessary on a bowler friendly track as left armer Carl Whelan (4 or 19) mopped up the middle order and tail to leave a target of 130 for victory. In reply, Attenborough had to endure two fiery spells from Sri Lankan Ishan Ratnayake but they eventually got home in 32 overs thanks to Tom Murray (38), Sam Clulow (20) and a gritty unbeaten knock from keeper Pete Turner.

Loughborough Carillon (228 for 4) are the latest team to occupy the second promotion spot in Division B following a six wicket win at mid table Kimberley Seconds, skipper Pallav Patel having an outstanding game with 107* and 5 for 30. Kimberley will rue a number of missed opportunities, not least the chance offered by Patel to mid wicket whilst on nought.

Rolls Royce (84) who performed admirably to defeat Newstead last week undid all their good work by falling to struggling West Bridgfordians by two wickets and in doing so slip to fourth. Kulvern Kandola was the winners hero taking 5 for 3, all the victims being bowled!  Elsewhere Bramcote are drinking in the last chance saloon after losing at Gotham and Clifton Village II could soon be joining them after being trounced by 201 runs at Gedling and Sherwood (262 for 5) for whom Carl Blake struck an undefeated 114 and John Gill almost emulated the divisions best figures with 5 for 5.

Keyworth were in a hurry to close the gap on Division C leaders Kirkby Portland who were without a game. Skipper Steve Rendu returning with superb figures of 8 for 23 as Nottingham were bundled out for 50, the successful run chase lasted all of nine overs!

A bad day for Keyworth’s promotion rivals with defeats for Attenborough II and Belvoir. Attenborough (228) lost their final wicket with three overs remaining and requiring just six runs for victory at struggling Thrumpton who had skipper Steve Weightman (91) and Kevin Peck (73) in the runs. Whilst Belvoir (102) fell victims to the Sherristons of Plumtree, Alex and Keith each taking five wickets as the home side gained an eighty run victory.

Match of the day in Division D came as second played third at Wilsons. Hickling’s Harvey Fenwick bludgeoned 123 and captain Ian Fisher 67 in their sides insurmountable 287. Despite fifties in reply from Nabil Syed and Zak Briggs the home side fell 64 runs adrift.

Its too close to call at the bottom as Stanton By Dale became the latest club to occupy the second relegation spot. Stanton fell to a heavy defeat at Thurgarton (262 for 4), Dan Cupit striking 112. Farndon (231 for 6) climbed out of the drop zone with a 26 run success over bottom club Long Eaton, Mark Townrow top scoring with 70 for the winners.

An astonishing game at Southwell in Division E, centuries from the Wollaton’s “Andy’s” Crossley (144) and Rattray (113) ensured the visitors piled up a seemingly unbeatable 314, however a magnificent effort from Stuart Grimley who became the latest member of the 200 club led to a pulsating run chase which went down to the final delivery. Wollaton finally ending up victorious by two runs and reclaim second spot in the process.

Elsewhere in E, Willoughby are moving ever closer to promotion, skipper Gino Taj the hero with 38* and 5 for 43 in their 6 run victory over Gedling Colliery II (168 for 9). It was even tighter though at Collingham II (174) who fell to a two run defeat against Hucknall II despite a return to form for Paul Todd (85). Stanton and Awsworth have now won their last two games as they make a late bid for survival, Scott Law taking four wickets as Risley failed to chase down a below par 103.

Caythorpe III (216 for 5) are approaching the winning post in G after seeing off their nearest rivals Bottesford II (189). For the leaders John Guy scored 80 and Richard Guy took 5 for 25. Bottesford’s defeat meant that Lowdham closed the gap following a six wicket win at Epperstone (97), Simon Stainton claiming the distinction of a hat trick. Epperstone just manage to stay out the drop zone following defeats for Gedling and Sherwood II and Rolls Royce II.

An excellent day for Division H leaders Kinoulton, Tom Richards went one better than last weeks fifty, striking an unbeaten 110 in his sides 222, third placed East Bridgford managed 173 in reply. Then news came through of a third defeat in four games for Hoveringham who were thrashed by 94 runs at Chilwell (165 for 9). The losers remain second though as all their nearest rivals failed to capitalise as East Leake and Cotgrave were beaten. At the foot of the table Rainworth have given themselves hope of survival after their second win on the spin, this time at fellow strugglers Bestwood Village and again it Usman Ashad (110) who led the way in their successful run chase of 176.

Top met second in Division J and Oxton (249 for 9) ran out comfortable winners over leaders Loughborough Carillon II (96) thanks to Chris Berry (90) and Steve Thornhill (5 for 17). Sutton Bonington remain third as 130 from Gordon Fuller and 88 from Rob Wilson ended Stapleford’s run of two victories.

Carrington Cavaliers showed no mercy on struggling Newark II in Division K rattling up 372 with Zahid Iqbal (147) and Kaisar Altaf (92) the main contributors in their 293 run victory! Veterans are currently ruling the roost at West Bridgfordians II. Last week it was John Proctor and on Saturday it was the turn of Mick Taylor to grab the limelight as his six wickets condemned Stanton by Dale II (119) to a seven wicket defeat, Stanton are just one defeat away from a further relegation whilst West Bridgfordians stay second.

All change at the top in Division L where Basford Hall OB have risen to the summit after defeating Stanton and Awsworth II (145 for 9) by nine wickets, Mark Snelgrove top scoring with 60. The changes came about due to defeats to Burton Joyce (99) at Breaston (176 for 5) and Flintham (188) at Kimberley III (190 for 3) who had Daniel Pheasant striking 82. Spare a thought for bottom club Belton and Paul Williamson  who must have thought he had bowled his side to victory claiming 6 for 32 as Woodborough were shot out for 132, however enter Matt Lane who produced a superb display of pace bowling taking 7 for 37 as the visitors could only muster 59 in reply.

Another top of the table clash in M, but again it proved to be no contest as Underwood (274 for 6) led by James Wood (109) were easy winners at home to Willoughby (155). This defeat for the second placed club means that Long Whatton II, Clifton Village III and Old Paviors II all have realistic ambitions of grabbing the second promotion spot.

In N a second defeat of the season for Farndon (102) at improving Radcliffe III who had the youthful trio of Tom James (4 for 34), James Ison (3 for 26) and George Mason (3 for 20) sharing the honours. Caythorpe IV remain second following a walkover over Stanton and Awsworth III whilst despite a century from veteran from Mick Fox, his Gedling Colliery III side failed by 11 runs at home to Snibston Grange II (195 for 6) who stay second. The form team in the league though are Hucknall III who looked dead and buried a month ago, however three victories, the latest being at home to Plumtree III have seen them climb to seventh thus making the great escape possible.

Lowdham II remain top in P despite their loss at Ellerslie III, Cotgrave II closed the gap thanks to K Shehari who claimed seven wickets as Long Eaton III, who have disappeared rapidly from the promotion frame were shot out for 56. Whilst at the bottom James Bunyon (6 for 8) must have thought he’d be taking the man of the match as his Beeston II side dismissed Whatton and Aslockton II for 78. However Paul Griffin went one better and snaffled seven victims as in a tense finale the home side fell seven runs short.

In R there were wins for pacesetters Kirkby Portland and Kimberley IV (walkover) whilst the divisions outstanding performance came from Ashley Mace whose 120 went a long way to their sides victory over Thrumpton III.