Hope for Worksop?
by Paul Barker, 5th August 2007

There can be no doubting that Worksop have had a season to forget in Division 1 and one could be forgiven for thinking that they would be ready to see it all end. However at Central Avenue against third from bottom Bridon they just might have seen a chink of light at the end of the tunnel with a stunning 103 run win.

There is no doubt that a win like this can do wonders for a side’s confidence and it might well be that it can for Worksop. They still have a mountain to climb and the odds are against them but with 120 points still available to them, a miracle is still just possible.

Batting first, Worksop looked a lot more confident than in recent weeks and took a toiling Bridon attack for 230 for 6 in their 50 overs at the crease. Tim Ward top scored with 64 and Glenn Pym batted well for 34, but the cameo came with a blistering knock from Sri-Lankan Nandika Ranjith who blasted an unbeaten 60 from just 32 balls as the Bridon attack simply disintegrated under the pressure.

Bridon never recovered from this assault although Will Lee (42) and Arran Haycock (36) showed what a crop of talented young players they have at their disposal. They were bowled out for just 127 with David Hancock (4 for 33) and that man Nandika Ranjith (2 for 16) proving the most potent force that Worksop have used this season.

It was a very good victory and draws Bridon closer to the bottom two although there still is a healthy gap. With the floods and other things Worksop have shown that they do not lack the ability to ‘scrap out’ a result and other sides will have to be on their mettle against them.

Cuckney opened up a 22-point gap over Kiveton Park with an exciting 19 run win over Cutthorpe. Batting first, Cuckney were totally indebted to skipper Will Butler who made a brilliant unbeaten 96 and Steve Bentley with another good knock of 35 out of a meagre total of just 168 for 9.

It could have been much worse as Cuckney were really struggling at 120 for 8 but Butler led from the front and totally dominated the strike to such an extent that they finished with a total of many more than they could have expected. Andy Knowles (3 for 43) was the pick of the Cutthorpe attack that lost its way a little towards the end.

Earlier in the season, one would have expected Cutthorpe to have knocked off a total like this without too many problems, but no side in the league has suffered as much with the weather as they have and this was the first time they had played for a month and it showed. They were bowled out for just 149 with Steve Randall helping himself to 5 for 33 in a terrific spell that was well backed up by the rest of the Cuckney attack.

A few weeks ago I made the statement that Notts. & Arnold Amateur would create a shock before the season ended with a win over one of the top two and Kiveton Park must now be wishing that I had kept my trap shut as they were the unfortunate victims by just 2 runs at Stone Close.

After a few weeks without a century, Australian Tom Elliot was back at his imperious best scoring 105 and was well supported by Sham Ahmad (53) as Notts. & Arnold piled up an impressive all out total of 222. This was Elliot’s fifth century of the season and there is still time for more to be achieved before the term ends. Lee Brooks (3 for 46) and Ashley Rhodes (3 for 46) were the chief wicket-takers for Kiveton.

In reply Kiveton were bowled out for 220 in an absolute thriller. Ian Hampshire top scored with 48 and Matty Cartwright again showed what a talent he is becoming with 37. Notts. & Arnold skipper Ian Flood has not bowled very much this season and Kiveton must have wished things had stayed that way but his return to his side’s attack saw him achieve the brilliant figures of 6 for 33. It was always going to happen, this was, and Kiveton can count themselves unfortunate that they were the recipients. 

Bolsover who have been having a tremendous season came out the worse for wear against a Thoresby Colliery side firing on all cylinders. Martin Cheshire (37), Kiwi, Chris Spring (80) and Ben Marson (35 n.o.) piled up a massive 268 for 7 as Bolsover wilted under pressure. Hasnan Kazim (4 for 53) and Charlie Walker (3 for 59) were the pick of the Bolsover attack that suffered a severe mauling.

At no time did Bolsover threaten this score and they closed on 185 for 8 and were mighty grateful to Andy Rogers with 82, and Andy Pierrepont (38 n.o.) for their survival. Shaed Akram (3 for 41) was the best of the Thoresby attack that was always in total command.

After a promising start Ransome & Marles first season in Division 1 is turning into a nightmare for them and they suffered another crushing defeat at the hands of Farnsfield at Elm Avenue, and are beginning to look ready for a quick return to Division 2.

Their score of 158 for 9 was never going to be enough and had it not been for Ian Sellars (45), Peter Litchfield (34) and Robert Buckley (33) one wonders how few they would have achieved. Mark Silcock (4 for 28) and Paul Franks (3 for 26) quite simply were much too good for them and they simply could not get the ball off the square.

In complete contrast even though they were facing such a low target the magnificent Rashid Riaz eased his way quite effortlessly to another century, 101,with time and class to spare and young 14-year-old Sam Wood (41) showed immense talent beyond his years as Farnsfield cruised to 159 for 4 and a six-wicket win. Jim McKay (3 for 22) bowled well but they were never going to be able to defend such a poor target and Farnsfield climbed further up the table.

After last week’s blip at Papplewick, Division 2 leaders Waleswood came back to record their ninth win of the season at Caythorpe, and keep their place at the head of affairs. Batting first Waleswood made a not too impressive 154 all out with only Gareth Davis (39) propping up the innings against Tom Hemmings who took 3 for 46 in a fine stint.

It was easily good enough however as only James Oldham (31) made any impact and Caythorpe were dismissed for just 124 after a promising start. It was the introduction into the attack of the brilliant Davis that stood things on their head as he virtually ‘turned it square’ and proved practically unplayable. Peter Norbury also weighed in with 3 for 14 and Davis’s figures of 5 for 26 showed what an effect he had had on the match. He is certainly some player and Waleswood are indeed fortunate to have him in their ranks.

Second placed Edwinstowe kept up the pace with a 26 run win over Blidworth in a match that they always looked to be winning although it was very tight at times. Batting first Edwinstowe were well served by Mohammad Wajihuddin (60), but the priceless stand which sent the score rocketing towards the end was between Gareth Price (34) and Paul Benson (38 n.o.) whose running between the wickets had to be seen to be believed.

Blidworth however didn’t help themselves over the last ten overs with an ultra defensive field with a ‘ferret’ either side of the wicket and seven players on the fence. This enabled two quick players like Price and Benson to scamper two runs from virtually every ball and Edwinstowe took full advantage of this to finish on 195 for 6. Dave Willcock (2 for 40) was the pick of the Blidworth attack.

After losing an early wicket, Blidworth took up the challenge and Dave Willcock (62) certainly didn’t deserve to end on the losing side. The big left-hander is a fine aggressive player and he was unfortunate to be out in freak circumstances when a ball popped and climbed suddenly onto his glove before looping up to the wicket keeper. He certainly deserved better than that!

Nobody else came close to staying long enough to clinch victory despite some great efforts by the tail. Mohammad Wajihuddin completed a fine all round afternoon taking 4 for 25 and skipper Jon Garnham bowled a superb stint of 13 overs to take 4 for 31 as Blidworth were bowled out for 169.

Papplewick and Linby 2^nd are a huge threat to everyone and they kept up the pace by annihilating Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd by eight wickets at the Fieldings. Batting first, Hosiery Mills were dismissed for just 163 with only Bill Frodsham (38) showing any application against the wiles of Steve Alford who helped himself to 4 for 30 in another impressive stint.

This was never going to bother a side with the batting pedigree of this Papplewick team and they literally cruised to victory with Steve Thomas (61 n.o.) and Matt Dear (67 n.o.) both in premium form as their side raced to 165 for 2. Without a doubt this side looks to be as strong if not stronger than anybody else in the division and they are going to take an awful lot of stopping.

Eckington did a similar job on Anston as they simply crucified them by 58 runs at Staveley Lane. Ian O’Neill the South African who has made such a big impact was again in fine form with 76 and the consistent Chris Ludlam added 34. Karl Fields (30 n.o.) gave good support as Eckington reached 190 for 6 when the overs ran out.

This target was simply way too much for Anston and only Michael Norbury (31) made any impact as they were bowled out for just 132. Simon West (4 for 37), Ian O’Neill (3 for 29) and Luke Dawson (3 for 33) were the chief destroyers as Eckington kept their hopes alive at the top.

Mansfield & Pleasley have really turned the corner and registered a massive winning draw in a totally one-sided match against North Wheatley with Leverton. Batting first Mansfield & Pleasley rattled up a fantastic 271 for 3 with Darren Walker (74) and Australian Brad Stengstock scoring a magnificent 158 n.o., which included 17 fours and 5 sixes.

North Wheatley just could not get into the game and were 107 for 8 at stumps and hanging on for dear life. Ian Woodall (4 for 18) was the best of the Mansfield & Pleasley attack with 4 for 18 and their side that looked nearly doomed a few weeks ago is now pulling clear in good style.

There simply looks no hope for Everton at all as Whitwell absolutely crushed them by a staggering 155 runs. Batting first Whitwell piled up the runs finishing at a highly impressive 257 for 3 with Heath Bush (34), Duncan Forrest (75 n.o.), Dave Jessop (44) and Tom Chesters (55 n.o.) all sending the scoreboard rocketing.

In reply, Everton were bowled out for just 102 with Rob Nicholas (30) top scoring. Andy Shaw (4 for 32) and Dave Jessop (3 for 20) claimed the wickets as Whitwell continue their fight to get clear of any relegation fears.

A Family Affair

It came to my attention that four players of the Donaldson clan at Blidworth all played in the Division 5 game at Cuckney. Dave who was one of the best wicket keepers the Bassetlaw League has ever seen was accompanied by Richard, Philip and Barry who are sons and other relatives.

Blidworth secretary Arthur Whitehead asked me if this was a first and I thought it might be, but on thinking about this I was not sure. Perhaps Peter Norbury might be able to help as I am thinking that the now defunct Dinnington side might have at one time had as many as five or possibly more Norbury’s in their side. It would be interesting to hear from readers of this column if any more families come to mind.