Glorious weather greets start of 2007 season
by Alan Rowley, 5th May 2007

As the Cricket World Cup fizzled out in rainy conditions in the Caribbean, the English club cricket season started in glorious weather. April 2007 was one of the sunniest and warmest on record and cricketers, used to wet tracks and abandonements at this time of the year, were treated to conditions normally found in July.

The season started as early as April 15th with a handful of fixtures in the Mansfield and District Sunday Cricket League. Newcomers Shipley Hall sent shivers through their Division Three rivals as they trounced Langwith by ten wickets, the game finishing well before tea. Langwith were shot out for a mere 53 before Shipley openers Matt Hardwick and Adam Leigh wrapped up the game in only 4.5 overs. The prize for the first league century of the season went to Frecheville Community's Martin Froggatt who hit an unbeaten 131 for the seconds as they beat Harthill by 114 runs.

The Nottinghamshire Premier League got under way on the 21st and there was a wealth of runs as batsmen took advantage of the dry conditions. Clifton Village led the way with a record 423 for 3 from their 50 overs. Openers Richard Wyld (102) and Richard Harris (209) murdered the Notts Unity Casuals bowlers as they put on 231 for the first wicket. Unity were never in the hunt and capitulated to 120 all out to give Clifton a whopping 303 run victory.

Former Derbyshire and England all-rounder Phil DeFreitas (pictured right) was in blistering form for Papplewick and Linby as he hammered the Kimberley Institute bowlers for 154 from 101 balls in his side 280 all out total. Coming in at 26 for 3, skipper DeFreitas slammed 24 fours and 5 sixes in a powerful hitting display. Institute managed to hold on for the draw, thanks mainly to a brave 96 from Jon Terry.

The honours in the battle of the Premier League newcomers went to Gedling Colliery as they got the better of Killamarsh Juniors to record a winning draw. Nick Silverwood, making his debut for Colliery, scored an unbeaten 148 in Gedling's massive 303 for 6. Killamarsh responded well to the task and almost pulled of a surprise victory. When their allotted 50 overs ran out, the visitors were only 18 runs short of the Gedling total.

Champions Caythorpe started their defence of the title with a winning draw against Welbeck Colliery, and West Indian Cavaliers recorded a five wicket victory over Wollaton as they attempt to put a disappointing 2006 season behind them.

In the first week of the Bassetlaw League, title favourites Cuckney cruised past Glapwell Colliery by 79 runs, despite being 71 for 5 at one stage. South African Richard Stroh top scored with 96 to steer the home side to 199 for 7, which proved far to much for Glapwell. There were also victories for Bolsover, Farnsfield, Bridon, Thoresby Colliery and Worksop.

Cuckney continued their fine start to the season in the second week of Bassetlaw fixtures with a six wicket victory over Notts and Arnold Amateurs. Stroh again led the way with an unbeaten 57 while former Nottinghamshire CCC man Steve Randall (pictured left) took three wickets for the second successive week. With only two weeks gone, Cuckey were the only team to preserve their 100% record.

Surprisingly, only two teams maintained their 100% record in the Nottinghamshire Premier. West Indian Cavaliers recorded a three wicket victory over Notts Unity Casuals in a low scoring affair, while Clifton Village comfortably beat newcomers Killamarsh by 81 runs. Richard Wyld followed an opening week ton with a top scoring 75.

Champions Caythorpe suffered a serious setback at the hands of Papplewick and Linby, losing by seven wickets. Batting honours again went to DeFreitas who hit an unbeaten 48. Another former Notts man, Darren Bicknell, hit the headlines for Welbeck Colliery. Bicknell hit an unbeaten 85 as Colliery romped to a six wicket victory over Retford.

Derbyshire club cricketers had to wait until the last Saturday of the month before they could start their campaign. Fortunately, the fine weather continued, and the opening day of the season was greeted by clear blue skies.

In the top flight, champions Ockbrook and Borrowash took on runners-up Sandiacre Town, and for once, this clash between the local rivals was without controversy. The result, however, was in doubt until the very end. Chasing Ockbrook's 215, Sandiacre finished a nail-biting two runs short of victory, but with the last pair at the crease. Sandiacre skipper John Trueman (pictured left) took the honours with an unbeaten 105 and three wickets for 28 runs - a fine all-round performance.

Newcomers Lullington Park, the 2006 County League champions, started their first season in the Premier with a victory over Clifton by 64 runs. 2006 newcomers Spondon recorded the day's only other victory beating Quarndon by 65 runs. Darren Yeomans hit 75 and Ben Ashdown scored 50 as Spondon won their first game on their impressive new ground, having been forced to play all their games away last season due to the ground not meeting the strict League criteria.

In the County League Division One, relegated Marehay showed that they have every intention of returning to the top flight. Their 63 run victory over a strong Aston-on-Trent side was a fine all-round bowling display with young James Kyte, the perennial Neil Sparham (pictured below) and Martin Camm, a close season signing from Staveley Welfare, all picking up three wickets.

Promoted Rolls Royce, who went through the 2006 season unbeaten, lasted no longer than the first game as they crashed to Ticknall by seven wickets. New overseas player Usman Khan hit 72 and 19-year-old Sahd Shafiq made 70 not out as Royces hit 240 for 9, but Derbyshire Academy player Paul Borrington hit an unbeaten 123 to ease Ticknall home with an over to spare.

Shipley Hall's James Cockayne and Adam Leigh ensured a commanding first day victory for the other promoted side. Cockayne hit 128 not out and Leigh 64 not out as Shipley cruised passed Matlock's 221 for 5 by nine wickets. There were also victories for Ilkeston Rutland, Swarkestone and Rolleston.

Batting headlines on the first weekend went to Clay Cross 3rds Ian Miller who blasted an unbeaten 155 in his side's 204 for 8 total at Belper Meadows on the Sunday. Miller's knock was to no avail, however, as his team mates could only muster 26 runs between them as Cross fell 34 runs short of victory.

The South Notts Cricket League traditionally doesn't start until the first week in May, but there were a handful of games held on the final Saturday of April. In Division B, Kimberley Institute 2nds beat Bottesford by six wickets thanks to 88 from Andy Layton. Bottesford's second team fared even worse as they were shot out for just 47 against Gedling Colliery 2nds in Division F. Dan Mather took 5 for 34 and Ian Wright 3 for 2 and Colliery knocked off the runs for the loss of one wicket. In Division C, there were victories for Clifton Village 2nds, Bramcote and Hickling.

So, the first month of the 2007 season draws to a close with some glorious weather and some impressive performances with the bat. Doubless the weather won't last and the rain will finally arrive, but until then, there's going to be some great cricket action to look forward to in the coming months.