Pipes missed by fading Collingham
by Phil Johnson, 26th June 2006

There is no change at the top in Division A as Calverton (263 for 7) hammered next to bottom Radcliffe on Trent by 132 runs. Derek Pickering, who broke the league individual score record a fortnight ago had to settle for a mere 97 today.

Gedling Colliery (192 for 4) remain second following a six wicket success at  fading Collingham who are desperately missing their influential skipper David Pipes who will probably be out for the remainder of the season with cruciate damage. For the winners, Australian Andrew McLean followed up his three wickets with an unbeaten century, his second of the season.

Climbing almost unnoticed into third are Alan Jackson’s Balderton who will delighted with their progress so far after avoiding relegation on the final day of last season. Their latest victory was a nine wicket success at home to Bottesford (138), Sri Lankan Ishan Ratnayake the man of the match with 7 for 37. Bottesford need to swiftly reverse their losing sequence of three matches if they are to avoid a quick return to Division B.

Plumtree (236 for 9) continued their move away from the relegation places with a thrilling 17 point tie at home to mid table Ellerslie. Here, two runs were required off the final delivery but the visitors could only snatch a single.

A good day for leading club Southwell (210 for 6) in Division B,  they saw off the challenge of in form Loughborough Carillon (209 for 8 ) thanks to Alex Mitchell (71) and five more wickets for Stephen Wright which takes his tally to 29 for the season. 

Southwell’s lead at the top was then extended with news of a surprise result at Gotham. The youthful home side who have struggled for form of late finally got it right posting a total of 247 due in the main to Gary Kerslake (86) and Alex Haworth (59). Visitors Newstead Village who lie second, would still have fancied themselves for victory, however they reckoned without a devastating opening burst from 17 year old Steve Haworth (3 for 33) and New Zealander Brad Moore (4 for 29). After this, Newstead were never in the hunt and clung on for a losing draw at 121 for 9 with the last pair of Steve Blinkhorn and Nick Hand seeing out the final nine overs.

There was another final ball drama at Kimberley and this time it was the batting team that was victorious. West Bridgfordians had set an imposing target of 288 for victory thanks to Jon Sheard (158) who finally returned to form after a barren start to the season. In reply Kimberley were always in with a chance with Martin Clarke (120*) and Vaughan Hamilton (92). Twelve runs were required off the last over and two off the final delivery and it was Paul Blatherwick (29*) who struck the ball and ran for his life to give the home side their fourth successive victory.

In Division C there were comfortable wins for leaders Kirkby Portland (104 for 5) at home to Belvoir (101) and for second placed Attenborough who thrashed Nottingham (79) by eight wickets, skipper Bryan Aplin taking 5 for 24 for the winners.

Keyworth must be wondering what they need to do to break into the promotion places. The league record for a partnership was broken in their home game against bottom club Thrumpton, openers Grant Parker (164) and Ian Graham (155*) put on 318 for the first wicket, Graham passing the 500 run mark for the season in doing so. Not surprisingly, Thrumpton were demoralised and slumped to 145 all out in reply.

Hickling remain top in division D but bottom club Long Eaton (160 for 9) pushed them all the way before succumbing to a two wicket defeat. Wilsons stay second but Long Whatton (85 for 7) close the gap after defeating them by three wickets in a low scoring encounter, Whatton’s Mark Lester taking 5 for 25.

The slump of Radcliffe II’s continues, Lady Bay Boots bowling the home side out for 79 thanks to Lakvinder Singh who finished with figures of 6 for 12. Elsewhere, Stanton By Dale (240 for 3) were triumphant in their foot of the table clash at home to Thurgarton (212 for 8 ) who have now  slipped into the bottom two following three successive defeats. 

Another player to pass the 500 run milestone for the season, which, at this stage is an astonishing achievement given the postponements in May is Collingham’s II Paul Todd in Division E. The ex Notts CCC man recorded his third fifty of the season to go with his two centuries. His efforts were all in vain though as his side fell 33 runs short of leaders Willougby (197).

Wollaton (236 for 4) have strengthened their foothold on the runners up position following 22 run victory over Stanton and Awsworth, skipper Andy Crossley falling two short of a century. Calverton II climb to third and ex Radcliffe and Southwell bat Chris Miller (84*) is looking in ominous form.

Nuthall (200) recovered from last weeks setback in Division F by comfortably disposing of Wymeswold (122), Richard Marsh, more renowned for his batting exploits this season took 5 for 11. There is a change in the runners up spot though as Ellerslie II (202 for 5) move up after beating Ravenshead (198 for 9). For Ellerslie, Ananthan Sivayoganathan, who must have felt a little harshly treated after scoring runs in the first team last week produced the perfect response scoring 90.

Lady Bay Boots II slip to third meaning Bramcote II (98 for 6) were finally victorious at the eighth time of asking. It was no surprise however that veteran Mel Wood (4 for 21) played a major part in the success as he has shone all season in a struggling side.

The top two sides met in Division G and it was Caythorpe (174 for 2) who stretched their lead over second placed Rolls Royce II thanks to fifties from Colin Baker and Shaun King. It was a good day all round for Gotham as their second team moved off the bottom of the table following a seven wicket victory at Gedling and Sherwood II (157), Mark Kennedy (57*) and Robert Goddard (5 for 49) producing the game winning performances.

Gotham’s victory meant Toton Sycamore fall to the bottom and not even a superb century from David Hoon could prevent them slipping to an eight run defeat at home to mid table Lowdham (194 for 8 ).

In Division H, Hoveringham are beginning to pull away from the rest of the pack following their sixth successive victory. Therefore it seems like there is just the one promotion place up for grabs and Kinoulton (158 for 8 ) are currently the holders after a close fought two wicket victory at home to Kirkby Portland II. Cotgrave suffered their second defeat in a row, this time to East Bridgford who climb to third. Bridgford knocked off the required target of 184 for the loss of six wickets, Ian Griffiths top scoring with 63.

It was a day of tense finishes in Division J with three of the five games going right down to the wire. Firstly leaders Loughborough Carillon II (231 for 8 ) just about held their nerve in a four run victory at Newstead Village II, this despite an excellent all round performance from Gary Devonshire who took 4 for 44 and then top scored with 81.

Caunton, chasing 190 for victory at struggling Stapleford required 1 run off the final deleivery but in the end they just sat back and did nothing as the ball evaded both batsman and keeper and trundled away for four byes. Earlier Jamie McIntyre had hit 92 for the winners. Finally promotion chasing Oxton were in dire straits at 47 for 7 and then 80 for 9 chasing 134 for victory at Nottingham. However the final pair of Steve Thornhill (30*) and Mark Zajac (17*) kept their heads for a partnership of 54 to leave the winners third.

After last weeks tie, Division K leaders Carrington Cavaliers (108) came a surprise cropper at struggling Risley II 112 for whom John Morris Jnr took 4 for 18. Nearest rivals Lambley though could not take advantage and slipped to a seven wicket defeat at West Bridgfordians (201 for 3), Rob Stewart scoring an unbeaten 101.

Flintham remain top in L after a four wicket win at Woodborough (117). It  also seems like Burton Joyce have got last weeks defeat well and truly out their system. The second placed club took their frustrations out on Thrumpton II (76), Dean Cowdell and Darren Smith each grabbing four wickets.

The game between the top two sides in Division M was, as expected a close affair and it resulted in a first defeat of the season for Clifton Village. Visitors Underwood successfully manage to chase down the target of 190 with three wickets remaining thanks to Andrew Eames (47) and James Woods (39). Old Paviors II (254 for 7) kept up the pressure on the top two following a crushing 131 run victory at home to Keyworth II (123), Gavin Lewis, James Brown and Jason Sharp all scoring fifties for the winners.

Two excellent games in Division N, firstly leaders Caythorpe IV (151 for 8 ) looked to be heading for defeat at home to Gedling Colliery III (137) before a hat trick from Ian Hart turned the game around. The star of the show however was 13 year old Matt Stash who took 5 for 33 for the winners. Second placed Farndon II were denied the chance of closing the gap as their game at Stanton and Awsworth III, through no fault of the home side had to be cancelled as the council had not prepared a pitch.

The game between Plumtree III and Chilwell II went into the final over with the visitors requiring 6 to win with four wickets in hand. Five runs and three wickets came in five balls and with the scores tied the final wicket fell on the last ball to leave the sides deadlocked at 161 runs apiece.

Despite five wickets for veteran slow bowler Tony Singh could halt Division P leaders Lowdham II’s  progress as his Long Eaton III side (122) slipped to a nine run defeat. One century in this division and it went to Ruddington II’s James Thorne who almost single handedly chased down Ellerslie III’s target of 178 for a three wicket success.

In Division R, both the top two sides bounced back to form following defeats last week. Broad Street Arrows (263 for 9) had Mike Cupit starring with a superb 128 in their colossal 198 run success over Nottingham III. Kimberley IV also won comfortably, eight wickets the margin against bottom club Stanton and Awsworth IV (73).

Finally, the distinction of the days best bowling performance came in R where James Whitchurch of East Leake II took 7 for 20 as West Bridgford Legion II were shot out for 46. The win ensures East Leake remain in the promotion picture.