Ayub cranks up the pace
by Paul Barker, 3rd June 2007

At the start of this campaign, Cuckney and Cutthorpe were the clear favourites for the title, but whilst the former moved off with the speed of a five furlong sprinter, the latter moved at what could be politely regarded as snail pace. However over the past few weeks, Cutthorpe have moved swiftly into top gear and are now churning out the results that were expected of them.

Their latest victims were Thoresby Colliery and it was not that they just recorded a victory, it was the way it was achieved as they brushed aside a team that is extremely capable with total disdain. As was reported in these columns a few weeks ago, Thoresby lack little in the batting department it was just a lack of bite in their attack which saw them ignominiously relegated from the Nottinghamshire Premier League at the end of 2006.

This was different however. Cutthorpe’s new Pakistani express Farhun Ayub clicked into gear and absolutely wrecked the batting with a virtuoso performance taking 6 for 30 in a menacing spell which none of the Thoresby line-up could cope with. This was always going to happen when he had acclimatised and now it looks as though all the other sides in the division can watch out. Andy Knowles also helped himself to 2 for 3 and Thoresby were all back inside for just 77, a rather dismal effort.

In reply Cutthorpe eased to 78 for 3 with Matt Cluer (19 n.o.) top scoring and a maximum points haul. Their shrewd skipper Mark Barlow told me that his side now needed someone to beat Cuckney desperately but he also admitted that he didn’t think many were capable of doing that!

Talking of Cuckney, they eased to a massive 182 run win over Ransome & Marles and never at any time looked in the slightest trouble. Batting first, Cuckney piled up a massive 317 for 3 with Kunil Jogea (67), Will Butler (95), Richard Stroh (80 n.o.) and Steve Randall (40 n.o.) all in scintillating form and thrashing the ball to the fence repeatedly.

It was the same with the ball as Cuckney proved the theory that confidence breed’s confidence, and the Ransomes batsmen ploughed a lonely furrow forward and back to the pavilion at regular intervals. Karl Musgrove (3 for 31) and Steve Randall (4 for 21) were quite frankly too good for the Ransome batting and they were dismissed for just 135 for Cuckney to record a massive win.

Most teams go through a sticky patch once a season, but it is difficult to see where Cuckney’s will come from. They simply have a lorry load of talented players and it will take an amazing performance to beat them the way they are playing at the moment. 

The surprise packet is Kiveton Park who are still keeping up the pace and their latest victory at Goosedale against Notts. & Arnold Amateur was exciting and totally breathtaking. Batting first Notts. & Arnold amassed a more than useful 230 for 5 with Australian Tom Elliot making his lowest score of the season, (only 82), and passing 600 runs for the season already at an average of 207!

Good support came from Mark North 35 n.o. and Shav Yaqoob (44) as Notts. & Arnold posted what looked a rather good score. It wasn’t to be however as Kiveton gave them as much back plus bonuses as they surged to a staggering seven wicket win.

Ian Hampshire who has returned to the club after several season’s away batted quite brilliantly to make an unbeaten 116 and with Richard Grainger (48) and Matty Cartwright (30 n.o.) contributing to the cause one gets the impression that Kiveton are there for more than just making up the numbers.

Worksop slumped to another defeat when they were easily rolled over by Bridon in a must win match at the foot of the table. Batting first, Worksop made only 171 all out with Glenn Pym top scoring on 78 and the rest simply folding like a pack of cards. Wayne Spooner (3 for 40) and Simon Davison (3 for 43) did the damage for Bridon who must have been highly satisfied with their work in the field.

The Ordsall wicket is usually good and the Bridon batsmen showed that it was extremely easy to bat on. Arran Haycock made 35, and the good start Bridon got was carried on by Roger Wells (74 n.o.) and Richard Topham (44 n.o.) as they coasted to an eight wicket win. Worksop must be desperate for their overseas player to arrive, whilst Bridon if they can keep picking up points like this should have little trouble in retaining their place in Division 1.

How a side lost a match needing just 157 to win and one player managing to score 91 of them himself is beyond belief, but that is what happened at Bolsover as the home side squeezed out a three run win over Farnsfield. Batting first, Bolsover were not their usual assured selves at Villas Road as only Matt Ryles (67 n.o.) stayed around long enough to trouble the scorers much and the final total of 156 all out must have represented a disappointment and filled Farnsfield with glee.

With Rashid Riaz in fine touch, this looked to be an easy task but it was far from that. Riaz is an amazing player and it doesn’t seem to bother him whether a wicket is good or bad, he treats them all the same. He batted brilliantly to make 91 runs, but his example was not followed by his teammates as Andy Roddis scythed through some lukewarm resistance to bowl Farnsfield out for just 153. Roddis took 5 for 31 and deserved his success for a tremendous burst which gave his side a rather unlikely win. Riaz must have been the most disappointed man of the day, but give credit to Bolsover who are lion-hearted in their approach and never give in until winning is impossibility as Farnsfield found out to their cost.

A terrific high scoring affair at Middlefield Lane saw Marshalls gain a winning draw over a spirited Glapwell side. Batting first Marshalls made a useful looking 244 for 9 of which skipper Paul Van den Heuvel made 35, Kevin Housham (61) and Australian Andrew Coles (68). Chris Barrett who has proved to be a fine capture for Glapwell was once again their best bowler taking 5 for 62 in a tight and tidy spell.

In reply Glapwell made 203 for 7 and although victory never looked like being on, it was a rather valiant effort. Lee Topham top scored with 36, whilst Paul Van den Heuvel completed a fine all round match for himself taking 3 for 26.

Into Division 2 and after a rain soaked abandonment on Bank Holiday Monday, Waleswood climbed to the summit of the league and after the latest round of fixtures they have stayed there after destroying in-form Anston by eight wickets. At no time could Anston contend with the Waleswood attack in which Simon Cope (4 for 18) and Peter Norbury (3 for 4) blasted them out for just 107 runs.

This target never created the slightest problem to Waleswood and Gareth Davis (46 n.o.) and Martin Long (51 n.o.) easily carried the score to 108 for 2 and victory. Can Waleswood maintain this form? It is difficult to tell but they do know how to win leagues as they have come through the divisions at break-neck speed over the last few seasons. Don’t write them off!

Eckington did their chances not much good at all as they were always under the cosh at Papplewick and finally settled for a losing draw against a rampant home side. Batting first, Papplewick made the most of any luck that came their way reaching 222 for 6 which always looked a good score. Robin Rhodes (46), Jamie Peat (47), Matt Dear (36) and Paul Chapman who closed the innings with some massive blows before being out for 40 all looked in fine form with the bat.

Luke Dawson was rather unlucky only to claim 2 for 33 in a good stint that was split into two spells and Ian O’Neill picked up a very useful 2 for 52 but Eckington rather let Papplewick get away from them towards the end of the innings.

When Ian O’Neill who has scored a mountain of runs for Eckington this season was out with the score on just 2, the away side must have realised that whatever they had to do it was going to be extremely difficult.

Steve Alford took 3 for 14 from 13 overs in a superb spell and had it not been for a pugnacious innings by Chris Ludlam who made the highest score of the day 61, and young Andy Lee (34 n.o.) it certainly seems that Exkington might have lost this one. As it is they managed 144 for 7 which gave them a spirited losing draw despite the fact that they were under a lot of pressure from a long way out.

Blidworth managed a three wicket win over Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd but it wasn’t as easy as they might have hoped for. Batting first Hosiery Mills were well served by young Gareth Curtis (52) and Bill Frodsham (32) but the rest simply failed big style. Rihann Riaz (5 for 47) and Andy Watson (3 for 27) did the damage and the final all out score of 142 must have represented a major disappointment.

To give Hosiery Mills credit they fought back brilliantly in the field and Blidworth must have been relieved that they were not facing another 30 runs. Karl Mayes top scored with 36 as Blidworth reached 143 for 7 and victory. Craig Brittlebank (3 for 39) was the pick of the Hosiery Mills attack but they must have been regretting the fact that they hadn’t scored a few more runs.

Mansfield & Pleasley were totally overwhelmed by Edwinstowe who won by eight wickets virtually as they pleased. Only Australian Brad Stengstock (41) prevented a total rout as Mansfield & Pleasley were hustled out for just 118 with James Peacock (5 for 25) and John Garnham (3 for 30) doing most of the damage.

This target proved ridiculously easy for Edwinstowe and Jeff Appleton (47), James Peacock (37) and Dean Elgar (32 n.o.) eased them through to a crushing win. This league is the most competitive of all and Edwinstowe are right up with the leaders and are looking rather tasty. Don’t back against them.

North Wheatley with Leverton are a strange side. They can trouble the best when they are on song but when they are bad, they can be dreadful. Whitwell were unfortunate enough to meet them on one of their better days as they piled up a massive 253 for 6 with Wayne Harrison making a fluent 90, Jon Loates (38) and Wayne Ellis making one of his rare appearances (43 n.o.). The Whitwell attack came under severe pressure with Heath Bush (2 for 72) and Lewis Robinson (2 for 33) being the best of the overworked combination.

In fairness, Whitwell made a decent effort when they batted making 195 for 9 which left them holding on at the finish. Heath Bush (63) and Ian Dennis (48) were on top of their game and whilst these two were in there was still a chance of victory. However some fine bowling by Jamie Bovill who still knows what it is all about with his 4 for 37 and James Blackwell (3 for 54) put a whole different feel on the game and nearly carried North Wheatley to victory.

Caythorpe 2^nd after a poor start are now rocketing up the league and they overcame Everton by five wickets to record another maximum points haul. Everton batted first and totalled 183 for 9 with Jon Mimms (60) and Mark Anthony (50) scoring the bulk of the runs. Daniel North (3 for 54) was the pick of the Caythorpe attack and the Everton total looked a few runs short of what was needed.

This proved to be the case as Matthew Daffin (64) and Paul Reddington (32) carried Caythorpe to 184 for 5 and victory. There are certainly a large number of teams in this section who are capable of beating each other and whoever are promoted or relegated it looks like its going right down to the wire.