In yet another rain affected programme, the main surprise in Division A came at Gedling where the high flying hosts crashed to a six wicket defeat to Balderton. On a bowler friendly wicket it was an excellent toss to win and Colliery were in disarray 46 for 6, yet managed to give themselves a chance with a final score of 127. For the visitors opening bowlers, Ishan Ratnayake and David Lynn took the major honours with three wickets apiece but mention must go to the support seamers Chuck Tansley and Ian Black who kept a tight hold of proceedings.

Despite an early scare and one or two late hiccups, Balderton were home with 7 overs to spare thanks to skipper Alan Jackson (36) and veteran Pete Lambert who carried his bat for 34. The games outstanding bowler though was Gedling’s Australian Andrew McLean who took 4 for 38.

There was mixed fortunes for the division’s newcomers. Radcliffe’s young lions are out the bottom two, picking up their first win of the season at home to Eastwood (158), Jamie Tunnicliffe (51) top scoring for the winners. However it continues to be a struggle for Bottesford who went down by three wickets in a low scoring encounter to Calverton (127 for 7), Ricky Consadine’s five wickets being the game winning performance.

IIn Division B, Kimberley seconds must have fancied their chances of a second consecutive victory after they had dismissed top side Newstead Village for 117, left armer Steve Bennett grabbing five wickets, however Kimberley were shot out for just 56, Rob Murdock the hero with figures of 6 for 20.

Southwell missed out on victory by one yard, which was the distance batsman Matt Davis was short on, being run out off the final delivery attempting a game winning two runs. The result a thrilling tie against hosts West Bridgfordians.  Elsewhere Gedling and Sherwood (182) bounced back from their disappointing defeat against Newstead by hammering struggling Gotham (57), Paul McMillan again starring with four wickets.

In Division C, Thrumpton must have been hopeful of their first success after dismissing Newark for 111, Frank Forman’s “six fer” making it 14 wickets in three games. However Eddie Burke had other ideas and his 6 for 13 condemned the home side to 23 run defeat. Hucknall (199 for 2) have moved away from the danger zone with a comfortable eight wicket success at home to West Indian Caribs, a good day for their young players as Ben Lake (89*) and Scott Harris (75) shone with the bat.

Frustation for Keyworth (187 for 7) as Belvior’s last pair of Dan Fellows and Ed Poulton hung on for 9 overs to deny them outright victory. Keyworth who had Ian Graham returning to form with 64 and 3 for 17 move up to mid table.

Old Paviors (168 for 2) turned the form book on its head in D, with an eight wicket victory at home to Farndon, Neil Davey (6 for 33) and Gareth Rees (98*) the star performers. Long Whatton (145 for  move into second after victory at Wilsons (98). Leaders Radcliffe’s game at Lady Bay Boots was cancelled.

The top of the table clash in E lived up to its billing. Underwood (146) losing with three balls remaining and five runs required to win at Collingham seconds. First wins of the season for Hucknall II (163 – 7) who beat Calverton by 21 runs amd Gedling II who were victorious over bottom club Stanton and Awsworth (83) with Matt McBride and Gareth Hayes grabbing three wickets each.

In Division F, newly promoted Bramcote II are finding the step up tough going as they fell to a five wicket defeat at home to mid table Ellerslie II (119 for 5) despite Mel Wood’s half century. Elsewhere, Whatton and Aslockton (135 for  picked up their first win of the season at home to fellow strugglers West Bridgford Legion (52), the two Simon’s, Wallace and Goodwin taking four wickets each.

Most of the action played in Division G centred around the foot of the table and it was relief for Toton (116 for 9) who won for the first time, a 26 run success over Epperstone, Davin Hoon taking five wickets. Something had to give in the clash of the bottom two and Gotham II (160 for 6) easily came out on top over Beeston (54), Ed Neville taking five for 12 for the winners.

In H, Hoveringham (202 for 6), looking for their fourth successive promotion have moved menacingly into third after thrashing bottom club Rainworth (67), the strugglers look to be in for a tough time after losing almost a team over the winter. Cotgraves Tony Newby moved his side into the promotion places scoring 51 and then taking five for 13 in his teams 42 run success over Ruddington (96).

 Division J saw Mike Berry with 95* in Oxton's easy victory over Newstead Abbey & Village II (129/10). For Oxton (202/7) Simon Widdison scored 39 and Chris Graham took 5/39. Malcolm Townrow was 34* for the losers.

Another side scoring 202 was Loughborough Carillon II against Caunton. Ian Huskinson with 83 and Ben Webb 57. Caunton had no answer to the bowling of M. Uddin 4/14 and Chris Bumpus 4/21 and were all out for 67. Nottingham II (74/2) easily beat Edingley (70/10). Loughborough and Oxton currently lead the way.

The game at Bingham in Division K was a very low scoring affair but resulted in a remarkable two run victory for Risley II. Risley II were all out for 62 with James Wilson taking 5/16. However Bingham were all out for 60 with Garth Van Der Vyver and John Morris taking 3 wickets each.

Top of the table Carrington Cavaliers (136/10) had skipper Kaiser Altaf (54) to thank for their win over Attenborough II (127/9). Colin McConnell took 5/28 for the losers. Lambley are in second place after their win over Belvoir II.  Lambley scored 145/10 with Tom Morley 50. Belvoir II replied with 114 /10 with skipper Richard Flower snr scoring 67, Paul Gadd took 5/43 in vain for the losers.

A very close game in L between Nottingham Victoria (85/10) and Basford Hall Old Boys(87/9) saw the latter winning by one wicket. Sunni Bhattel produced a great all-round performance for the losers scoring 48 and taking 4/15. However it was Donald McDuff with 5/21 and Ian Cross (31) who saw their team to victory. Scott Pratt with 62 and Dean Cowdell (4/10) starred in Burton Joyce's 83 run win over Flintham (68/10), Burton currently head the table.

Woodborough (132/10) recorded a fine victory over Stanton & Awsworth Elks II (98/10). Tom Henshaw took 4/31 for the losers. Steve Derry with 4/21 and Matt Lane 3/28 did the damage for the winners. Thrumpton II (133/2) recorded an easy eight wicket win over Kimberley Institute III (130/10) .

In M, with leaders Underwood II’s game off, Willougby (151 for 2) moved into second with a resounding eight wicket win at home to Wilsons II, Gareth Johnson scoring 76 not out. Balderton II (113) squeezed home by four runs at home to Shepshed, Jay Lamb (5 for 22) producing the match winning performance.

Division N saw red faces at Snibston Grange II. The visitors, looking well set for victory with four runs required off the final over and seven wickets in hand, yet they could only manage a single leaving Caythorpe IV (146 for 9) the surprise victors. The win puts Caythorpe second.

Lowdham II (128 for 7) lead the way in P, condemning Whatton and Aslockton II (32) to the days lowest total, Mike Pollard grabbing four wickets. Just behind Lowdham lie, Long Eaton III who claimed a sixty run success at local rivals Beeston II (86), Paul Gent the man of the match with 5 for 13.

An unusual sight in Division R was the new ball pairing of grandfather and grandson for Edingley II, such nostalgia though was lost on home team West Bridgford Legion II (115 for 4) who cruised to a six wicket success, Pete Ottewell striking an unbeaten 64 for the winners. League newcomers Broad Street Arrows top the table though, their latest success coming at Bingham II, Michael Hallam (44* and 4 for 24) producing a fine all round performance.