Gedling looking for swift return to Premier
by Phil Johnson, 13th August 2006

Just three games left for most teams now and Gedling Colliery can almost see the winning post in their quest for a swift return to the Premier League. After restricting visitors Attenborough to 187 thanks to six wickets from left armer Nigel Porter, Australian Andrew McLean (94*) took over and together with Jeff Burton (44*) passed the target for the loss of only two wickets.

At the wrong end of the table, it is still realistically any two from five, although Bottesford  will now require a miracle to survive after agonisingly losing out in a thrilling contest to Radcliffe on Trent. Batting first, the visitors set a target of 231 which was slightly below par against a weakened bowling attack hampered by the unavailability of the Cliffs. For Radcliffe Frankie Brown (56) and left hander Jamie Tunnicliffe (55) were the chief contributors whilst Greg Hegglun (42*) provided some much needed impetus late on in the innings as the visitors were pegged back by the occasional spin of Jim Ward (3 for 69). Bottesford’s cause however was not helped  with the spilling of no fewer than eight catches.

In reply the home side always had wickets in hand as Ward (83) completed a fine game and Nick Silverwood (50) notched his sixth half century of the season. It was nip and tuck for the whole innings as 74 were required off the final ten overs, which became 7 off the final over and three off the final two deliveries. A lusty blow from Dave Allen (32) off the penultimate delivery at first looked to have gained victory, however the ball seemed to hold up in the wind and 16 year old Daniel Mason held on to a vital catch at long off. Greg Hegglun then bowled Dave Warburton off the final ball to clinch a sixteen point winning draw, leaving the home side rueing what might have been.

Collingham (167 for 4) finally showed what form they are capable of as they ended Plumtree’s hopes of a top two finish, Brett Murphy (75*) and Ambrose Da Rocha (7 for 62) producing the game winning contributions. That win lifts Collingham out of the drop zone, and in their place go Eastwood who suffered a third successive reversal, this time at Balderton who auccessfully chased 258 thanks to Peter Lambert (88), Tim Clipsham (54) and Ishan Ratnayake (51*).

Southwell are almost there in Division B and require one win from the final three matches to return to the top division. The highlights of their 4 wicket win at home to Kimberley II (183 for 5) were an unbeaten 44 from Mark Foster who saw his side to victory after being in some difficulty at 127 for 6 and Stephen Wrights “below par” two wicket haul saw him reach the 50 wicket target for the season.

The clash between second and third was as close as anticipated with Newstead Village (197) who were missing leading wicket taker Nick Hand coming out on top at Loughborough by seven runs, this was despite a brave 79 from Julian Richardson and 6 for 53 from James Walker. Rolls Royce’s promotion bid is grinding to a halt as they could only manage 8 points in a losing draw at Clifton Village II who will still be harbouring thoughts of escaping the drop. It could have been worse for the Hucknall side but the last pair of Ian Wade and Dave Summers put on 35 to avoid outright defeat, Pete Fairhall took 5 for 46 for the home side. 

A major shock occurred in Division C as Keyworth’s promotion quest came off the rails slightly at Plumtree II (236), slumping  to 104  all out in reply as Imtiaz Kayani (7 for 43) produced the game winning performance. Keyworth’s setback enabled Kirkby Portland (167 for 3) to move a step closer to the title following a seven wicket win at Newark. Belvoir keep the pressure on the top two after victory at home to Thrumpton for whom 14 year old Martin Weightman shone with 85.

Attenborough II have hit a sticky patch at the wrong time as they became the latest team to fall victim to the in form West Indian Caribs (193) who had Hussain Syed claiming six for 46 in a 65 run suucess.

At the top in D it seems its two from Long Whatton, Wilsons and Hickling for promotion. All three sides recorded fairly comfortable victories, the highlight being Nabel Syed who has produced contributions of 92*, 61 and 91 in his last three innings. At the bottom Long Eaton looked doomed following defeat at Radcliife II then it it will be probably one from Farndon, Old Paviors and Stanton by Dale for the other relegation slot with Stanton having both Farndon and Paviors to play.

In E Willoughby (231 for 7) require just two points from three games for promotion following a 70 run success over nearest rivals Wollaton II, Zulfiqar Ali and Ben Boot both hitting fifties for the winners. Calverton move into the runners up position as visitors Collingham finished a definite second in their fixture, slumping to 41 all out in their chase of 253. Earlier skipper Chris Miller had struck 96 and in reply Mark Haseman (5 for 13) took the plaudits with the ball.

Its been a traumatic week for Stanton and Awsworth with the withdrawal of their third and fourth teams from the league due to shortage of numbers. However the past seven days ended on a high note with a third successive victory for the first team which gives them a fighting chance of avoiding relegation. For  the second Saturday running Southwell were left chasing a mammoth 315 for victory with the outstanding Scott Law striking 155 and Ian Trueman 85. In reply despite 78 from Nick Nesbitt, Southwell fell some distance short on 174 as skipper Trueman (4 for 22) completed a fine all round performance.

If  Nuthall were to have won at Eastwood in Division F they would have been promoted, however they will have to keep the champagne on ice for another week as they fell to a surprise defeat in the local derby at struggling Eastwood II as Gareth Painter (71) finally recaptured some form. West Bridgford Legion (202 for 8) have crept up almost unnoticed into second, their latest success came at home to Lady Bay Boots II (118), Chris Ludden helping himself to a five wicket haul.

One century in this division and that went to Alan Harrison of Ellerslie II who remain fourth and well in the promotion hunt after two three wicket win at Notts Unity II (190 for 7). Bramcote II became the first relegation casualty as their failure to raise a side against Whatton and Aslockton means they make a swift return to Division G.

Caythorpe III need just nine points for the championship in G after victory at home to Epperstone (176 for 8), Martin Ebbidge (57) top scoring for the winners. Bottesford hold on to second spot after defeating Gotham II (150) by fifty runs whilst Lowdham climb to third following a seven wicket success at Gedling and Sherwood II (148 for 8). Toton Sycamore’s excellent second half of the season has seen them rise from bottom to 4^th after their crushing 119run win at Rolls Royce II, when the teams last met Rolls Royce were 2^nd top and Sycamore 2^nd bottom.

Up to six teams can still have thoughts of promotion in Division H but its Kinoulton who remain in the driving seat after overcoming Ruddington’s target of 123 for the loss of six wickets, earlier Daniel Meek had bowled superbly to take 7 for 12.

Elsewhere in H, its been a testing month for Hoveringham with three defeats in four matches to put a serious dent in their bid for a fourth successive promotion meaning  they would have travelled with a fair amount of trepidation to third placed East Bridgford. However, Sturart Walton finally showed what he is capable of after a lean couple of months striking 102 in the visitors 267. In reply Murray Debank’s four wickets helped shoot the visitors out for 159. Usman Ashad of Rainworth maintained his personal crusade of attempting to keep his side in the division striking 79 as his side defeated Cotgrave (196) by three wickets to climb out the drop zone.

In J, ex Radcliffe stalwart Vic Foulkes crashed 120 for struggling Thurgarton II, it proved to be in vain however as Aussie Ben Webb top scored with 60 in reply as table toppers Loughborough Carillon carried out a successful run chase. Oxton remain second after defeating Edingley (205) by 24 runs whilst Stapleford’s hopes of avoiding the drop received a massive boost with opponents and close rivals Nottingham failing to fulfil the fixture. Sutton Bonington remain third and there was more runs for Gordon Fuller as he made 110 in their  111 run victory at home to Newstead Abbey and Village II (117).

The top two clashed in K, however it proved a one sided affair as 128 from Zahid Iqbal and 85 from Wasim Karim enabled Carrington Cavlaiers to post an insurmountable target 292, visiting West Bridgfordians II fell way short on 185. 

That defeat for West Bridgfordians meant Lambley closed the gap in third after dismissing Newark II for just 57. Stanton by Dale II became the second relegation casualty of the day, but at least they went down fighting for once as four wickets for Paul Cowan and 3 for Danny Whitley meant that Bingham (190 for 9) just squeezed home by one wicket.

Its two from three to go up in division L, but leaders Basford Hall OB (166) fell to a surprise defeat at Belton (228) where it was a case of follow my leader as brothers Nick (52) and Cliff (89) were the heroes. Burton Joyce move back into the promotion places as K Seymour, M Pratt, T Downing and A Meason all scored fifties in their comfortable victory over Woodborough. Flintham drop down to third after being edged out by one wicket to struggling Breaston (139 for 9). Overall it was a good day for the strugglers with the bottom four all winning.

Underwood II picked up 17 points to remain top in Division M as opponents Wilsons II could not raise a team. Nearest rivals Willoughby II (284 for 4) won comfortably against Balderton II (202 for 8), Gareth Johnson falling three short of a century for the winners.

Farndon II remain on course for promotion in Division M after racking up a mammoth 376 against visitors Chilwell II. The hero of the hour was Andrew Duckmanton who usually plys his trade with the first team in E. Duckmanton cracked a superb unbeaten 209, John Curtis and Martin Hill weighed in with fifties and Craig Moore with six wickets as Chilwell came a well beaten second on 165. Caythorpe IV promotion push suffered a major setback at Hucknall III who themselves need victories for very different reasons. Five wickets for Anthony Beastall and four for Max Thompson shot the visitors out for 47 meaning that the losers failed to pick any points up.

The top two of Lowdham II and Cotgrave II both recorded victories in P whereas third placed Ellerslie III lost ground following a reversal at second bottom Whatton and Aslockton II. From looking doomed a month ago, Toton Sycamore II have turned their season around and now have a great chance of avoiding the drop. Their latest success at home to Ruddington II (88) came thanks of a six wicket haul from Rahul Sarwal.

First met second in R in the shape of Kirkby Portland III and Kimberley IV. You hear of father and son playing in the same team but I wonder how many instances that a father and daughter have played together. It was a great day for the Widdowson’s of Kimberley as 15 year old Becky produced a useful spell of bowling to help restrict Kirkby to 136. Then it was the turn of father Carl who crashed nine fours and three sixes in his 74 as the visitors eased home by five wickets. Broad Street Arrows (321 for 7) stay right in the promotion hunt as 129 form Mick Hallam and 6 wickets for Ben Wiltshire enabled and early finish as visitors Edingley could only muster 76 in reply.