Kiveton surge to the top
by Paul Barker, 17th June 2007

However it would be very wrong to say that Kiveton were lucky. Earlier in the season, rain put paid to their chances when they were in with a good chance of victory at Farnsfield whilst rivals Cuckney were winning at Worksop.

Its all a case of swings and roundabouts and it is very possible that before the end of the season something will happen that neither side can control once again. Over the season, things happen, but if you work them out fairly, everybody has their share of good and bad luck. On Saturday it was Kiveton’s turn whilst next time Cuckney or Cutthorpe may well benefit.

Batting first at Stone Close, Ransomes could only manage 133 all out with Nigel Murray top scoring on 32. A long rain break took place of 1 hour, 35 minutes in which tea was taken, midway through the innings but amazingly the skies cleared and play was possible once again.

Sri-Lankan star, Harsha Cooray made his presence felt taking 4 for 30 with his off spin which has made such a big difference to Kiveton this term. Cooray extracted a terrific amount of turn at times and troubled all the Ransomes batsmen.

In reply, Kiveton got away to a good start before losing Richard Grainger at 31 and from this position they lost wickets steadily but always looked the likely winners. Whilst most Kiveton batsman got started they failed to capitalise and Ian Sellars with his seam-up style bowled excellently to take 4 for 23.

Kiveton finally arrived at 134 for 7, which made it look rather tighter than it really was with two wickets falling as they scored the final twelve runs. Credit must go to Ransomes for not ‘giving up the ghost’ and fighting to the bitter end. This resolve will serve them well if they can maintain it in the difficult times that lie ahead.

In Division 2 Edwinstowe leapfrogged to the top with a crushing 178 run win over Everton. Batting first, Edwinstowe were once again well served by their South African star Dean Elgar who made a magnificent 87 in conditions, which were not conducive to stroke players. Good support came from Paul Benson (41) and Ian Smith (41) as Edwinstowe piled up 213 for 7 which represented a good score in these trying conditions.

The conditions became more pronounced as Everton were bowled out for just 35! James Peacock (3 for 13), Jon Garnham (4 for 11) and Paul Benson (3 for 7) were completely unplayable, as the Everton innings resembled a procession forward and back to the pavilion in double quick time.

In this form, Edwinstowe are going to be very difficult to stop. A few weeks ago they were shaken when they lost at Anston, but that result seems to have done them a power of good as they now realise that nothing but their best is needed to guarantee victory.

Papplewick and Linby 2^nd managed a close run five wicket win over North Wheatley with Leverton in a well-fought encounter. Batting first, North Wheatley again failed with the bat and were all out for just 138. Jim Rhodes (3 for 34), Steve Alford (3 for 23) and Nagasair Sookram (3 for 34) did the damage as Papplewick kept things tight in surprisingly good conditions.

In reply Papplewick finally reached their target as they made 141 for 5 with just over three overs to spare. Jim Rhodes enjoyed a fine all round match scoring 35 and Jamie Peat added the same score. It was however a tremendous unbeaten innings of 31 by Mick Henley that tilted the balance as Papplewick squeezed home. James Blackwell (3 for 48) bowled with great control as North Wheatley made a brave effort to turn things around.

The battle of the two bottom clubs was terminated abruptly as the weather intervened once again. Who would have won between Whitwell and Mansfield & Pleasley will never be known but the position of the match suggests that the latter where overwhelming favourites.

Batting first Mansfield & Pleasley were tied down and never given the chance to loosen the shackles as Heath Bush (4 for 24) and Darren Westerby (4 for 27) limited them to a miserly 84 for 9 from 46 overs.

Most sides would have thought that this score was easy enough to secure victory from, but Whitwell made an horrendous start and were in the dire position of 23 for 5 when they must have been very grateful that it rained again. Australian Brett Stengstock (3 for 7) was their tormentor in chief but Mansfield & Pleasley must have been left cursing the weather as a much needed win looked there’s for the taking.