Cuckney almost there
by Paul Barker, 12th August 2007

After giving long term favourites Cuckney, a serious run for their money, Kiveton Park look to have slipped off the pace in recent weeks. After losing to Notts. & Arnold Amateurs last week they slipped up again this week, losing to a rejuvenated Bridon side who picked up a very valuable twenty points which steered them ever nearer to safety.

At Cuckney, Bolsover who had been flying were easily put in their place by the home side. Batting first Bolsover could only manage a meagre 150 all out with only Saeed Ramani (49) making any impact at all. Once again it was Cuckney’s giant South African Richard Stroh who extracted most of the damage taking 5 for 51 and that was not to be his last deed of the day.

Cuckney sailed to 151 for 3 and victory, with Kunil Jogea (44) and yes you’ve guessed it, Richard Stroh making a fine unbeaten 72 who took them past the winning post. Speaking to me later, Bolsover skipper Mark Bull said ‘you can’t take it away from them, they are a very good side’, and quite frankly that says it all.

They have now opened a huge gap at the top of the table and although they might blow-up, nobody really thinks they will.

As previously stated Kiveton went down to a shock three wicket defeat at Bridon and just about blew away any lingering hopes they might have had. Along with Bolsover, Kiveton have struggled once the holiday season kicked-in, whilst Cuckney have been able to keep their side together and the other two have suffered badly through it. 

Batting first Kiveton were sitting comfortably at 180 for 3 with Ian Hampshire (35), Richard Grainger (72) and Harsha Cooray (55) all batting superbly, but then they collapsed dramatically to 212 for 9 when the overs ran out. Jeff Saxby bowled splendidly for Bridon on what was a very hot day and his efforts were duly rewarded with the excellent figures of 5 for 57.

In reply, Bridon certainly didn’t find it too easy and seven wickets were down when they finally arrived at 215 and victory. The talented Will Lee (33), skipper Wayne Spooner (75) and Mark Brewer (61 n.o.) all batted excellently whilst Harsha Cooray gave them plenty to think about, taking 4 for 27 in a mesmerising stint.

Farnsfield are closing up all the time at the top and might well finish as runners-up. Their latest win was over Worksop who again put up a spirited display but could not cope with a well oiled Farnsfield machine which is in top gear at the moment.

Batting first, Worksop made a highly commendable 235 for 6 with Tim Ward (55) and inspirational skipper Luke Ambrose carrying his bat for a magnificent unbeaten 105. Rashid Riaz was Farnsfield’s best bowler taking 2 for 59, but one had the impression on a wicket as good as this was, that the score set, although it was a good one, wasn’t enough.

And this theory proved 100% correct as the elegant Riaz stroked and cajoled his way to 61 before aimlessly running himself out for the second time in three weeks. Paul Delaney (54) and Tom Corbyn (46) also made telling contributions as Farnsfield cruised to 236 for 5 and victory by five wickets. Worksop are still in deep trouble and their position looks more hopeless by the minute, but they are fighting for their lives and if their early season form had matched what they are doing now, they might not be in this mess.

Notts. & Arnold Amateur gained a winning draw in a tight match against Cutthorpe at Goosedale. It was one of their unsung hero’s, Mark North who set up the match in his side’s favour with a terrific unbeaten 104. Australian Tom Elliot (36) and the hard-hitting Sham Yaqoob (38) both weighed in as Notts. & Arnold closed out there overs on 246 for 6.

Cutthorpe’s innings was based exclusively around the not inconsiderable talent of young Matt Cluer who made a bold 94 runs out of 218 for 9. Had anyone given Cluer the support he deserved the result might have been very different but at the moment, Cutthorpe appear to be just a pale shadow of the side that everyone knows they can be.

Shaz Ahmed (5 for 45 was the wrecker-in-chief as Notts. & Arnold picked up another 18 points to climb even further up the league.

Ransome and Marles have almost gone and look to be a completely dispirited outfit. The season started off quite well for them but they have literally fallen apart at the seams in their quest to compete at this level and their hopes are diminishing further every week.

This week they were easily beaten by Marshalls who batted first and made a useful looking 210 for 6. Chris Hearn (40 n.o.) top scored and there were other excellent contributions from Paul Van den Heuvel (27), Andrew Coles (27) and Kevin Housham (28).

In reply Ransomes merely folded up at 151 all out. Darren Andrews with 4 for 34 was the pick of the Marshalls attack that once they had maintained a grip, never let it relax until victory by 59 runs was achieved.

In an incredible game at Fourth Avenue, Thoresby Colliery saw off the best that Glapwell had to offer by a staggering nine wicket margin. Played on as good a wicket as you are ever likely to see, Glapwell got away to a great start with Rob Davison and Lee Topham scoring feely until the former was dismissed for a well made 47.

Topham went on to make a superb 86 and Dean Graney battled well towards the end of the innings to make 32 as Glapwell closed on a huge 240 for 8. Shaed Akram was the best of an overworked Thoresby attack taking 3 for 65 whilst Bill Liippeatt nipped in with 2 for 70 also. 

When Matt Hall had the dangerous Martin Cheshire caught behind on 13, Glapwell’s hopes must have been sky high, but this was to be the last time they tasted any success in the match. They paid dearly however for no-balls and Nigel Birkett would have been out twice but for this, but after settling in he never looked in a scrap of trouble.

Burkitt went on to make a fabulous unbeaten 113 and New Zealander Chris Spring 106 n.o. in an innings of pure class and quality and this pair added an unbroken stand of 231 as Thoresby cruised to victory on 244 for 1 with four overs still locked in the bank. Glapwell’s ground fielding left something to be desired, but the praise must go to the Thoresby batsmen and groundsman for supplying such a wonderful wicket to play cricket on.

All the teams at the top excluding Eckington took 17 points each in Division 2 so everything stayed the same and it looks as though this section will go right down to the wire. Waleswood were once again brilliantly served by Gareth Davis who made a superb unbeaten 100 and was well assisted by Martin Long (37) as their team made 215 for 8 when the overs terminated.

Craig Scholes with 3 for 35 was the best of the Mansfield Hosiery Mills attack and they could feel quite satisfied with their work at this stage.

However with wickets falling steadily, Hosiery Mills decided to close up the shop and their innings finished on 162 for 7. Darren Johnson (36 n.o.) top scored whilst all the Waleswood attack chipped in with important wickets along the way to keep them at the top of the table.

Edwinstowe came out on top (just) against Eckington in a hard fought winning draw at Forest Corner. Tom Ward (46) and Mohammad Wajihuddin (43) top scored as Edwinstowe reached 193 for 8 whilst South African Ian O’Neill (5 for 24) was easily the pick of the Eckington attack.

Eckington finished just 12 runs short on 181 for 8 and if they had not lost their way a little in the middle of their innings, might well have won the match. Karl Fields (55) and Steve Nicholas (41) both batted well, whilst Ian Smith, Aaron Rhodes and Shaun Bullin who all bagged two wickets each kept the pressure up for Edwinstowe. 

Papplewick also took 17 points against an Everton side who showed more conviction than they have done over the last few weeks. Batting first, Papplewick made 247 for 8 declared with Steve Thomas (58), Ed Somekh (56), Jamie Peat (48) and Ian Hardy (33) all batting well. Mark Anthony with 4 for 50 was easily the best of the Everton attack.

In reply Everton dourly defended to 124 for 8 which was a significant change from their recent efforts where they have been bowled out extremely cheaply. Craig Anthony (39) and Andrew Snell (29) both batted well whilst young slow bowler Kris Barfield (3 for 41) bowled exceptionally well as his side tried to prise Everton out.

North Wheatley with Leverton who had slipped into the danger zone recorded a very welcome twenty-point win over Caythorpe 2^nd at South Wheatley. Batting first, Caythorpe who have had a major dip in form recently made 162 all out with Peter Mansfield top scoring on 56. James Blackwell with 3 for 35 was the pick of the North Wheatley attack.

This target simply wasn’t enough as North Wheatley reached 163 for 6 and a much needed win. Young Jon Loates (32) and the hard-hitting James Blackwell (50) were the batting heroes and North Wheatley will be more than happy with this result.

Mansfield and Pleasley who have climbed up the league dramatically over the last few weeks came to grief against a side attempting to do just the same, Whitwell. Mansfield & Pleasley batted first and reached 161 for 9 with Matt Page (43) and skipper Darren Walker (35) both batting well. Andrew Shaw bowled superbly for Whitwell to take 6 for 46 in an excellent spell of bowling.

This target proved no obstacle for Whitwell and they raced to a comfortable eight-wicket win with skipper Heath Bush (82) and Duncan Forrest (55 n.o.) both batting with sylish aplomb. As it is at the top, the same is now in full force at the bottom and all sides involved will be sweating right through to the finish.