Cuckney pick up extra bonus points
by Paul Barker, 19th August 2007

On a day when for the umpteenth time this season the weather was the outright winner, league leaders Cuckney were the only side to complete half a match and therefore pick up extra bonus points. Their match at Marshalls started late and was reduced to 46 overs per side and when Marshalls had completed that task, the weather was then too bad to continue.

In the play possible, Marshalls skipper Paul Van den Heuvel was without question the star of the show scoring a magnificent 83 out of his side’s 148 for 5. His counterpart, the Cuckney skipper, Will Butler took 2 for 40 and it all added up to the Langwith Road side edging ever closer to the title.

Kiveton and Bolsover who are second and third in the table clashed at Stone Close and the latter were seemingly well in command when rain intervened. Kiveton whose form has nose-dived in recent weeks were on 88 for 5 when no more play was possible and Bolsover’s Hasnan Kazim with 3 for 17 had caused most of the damage.

Cutthorpe started at a brisk pace at Station Lane against a Farnsfield side that have crept up the table steadily in recent weeks. Asadullah Butt looked to be at his brilliant best with some splendid strokes all round the wicket and he had made 34 when he fiercely pulled Neil Sharp into the waiting hands of Rachid Riaz who made the catch look ridiculously easy at square leg.

Two balls later Sharp struck again having the dangerous Matt Cluer caught close in and when Tim Barlow was caught behind off the first ball of the next over from Tom Corbyn the whole complexion of the game had changed. Barlow never looked at the umpire and walked immediately, which is highly commendable in this day and age when not everyone is so honest. The rain came shortly afterwards with Cutthorpe based on 103 for 3.

Bridon were well based on 196 for 6 when play was curtailed at Ordsall with Glapwell the opposition. They had however recovered from around 130 for 6 but the wet ball was proving a huge handicap to the Glapwell attack and it was no surprise when they came off. Matt Makings (53 n.o.), Roger Wells (52) and Wayne Spooner (47) had all batted well for Bridon whilst Matt Hall had turned in his best performance in a while, bowling very well to take 3 for 43. 

Thoresby Colliery looked on their way to another big score as they reached 139 for 2 at Fourth Avenue against Notts. & Arnold Amateur. Martin Cheshire (52) and Nigel Birkett (70) had taken a heavy toll on the Notts. & Arnold attack and with New Zealander Chris Spring looking in fine form a mammoth total looked well within their capabilities.

The match between the two teams at the bottom proved totally inconclusive when the rains came. Ransome & Marles stood 88 for 3 when the break came with Henno Jordaan (34 n.o.) and Paul Taylor (27 n.o.) looking assured. For Worksop Jon Smith (1 for 7), Conner Smith (1 for 14) and Dave Hancock (1 for 29) had shared the wickets between them but the match was delicately poised and could certainly have gone either way.

In Division 2, Waleswood managed to put a bit of daylight between themselves and second placed Edwinstowe by picking up a few extra bonus points before the rain set in. Playing at the Metcalf Ground, Everton, they had bowled the home side out for just 121 with only Neil Waghorn making much impact with a well-made 34. The incomparable Gareth Davis was once again well to the fore taking 5 for 20 and adding even further to his impressive portfolio.

In reply Waleswood were sailing along rather nicely on 44 for 0 when the inevitable happened and no more play was possible.

Caythorpe 2^nd who at one time looked likely promotion candidates but have now slipped disastrously into the relegation regions were looking reasonably comfortable on 83 for 2 when rain intervened. Josh Bolus (34) and Paul Riley (33) had both batted well but it was impossible to gauge which direction this match would have taken.

Eckington who are on the fringes of the promotion race certainly looked well in command in their match against Mansfield & Pleasley at Chesterfield Road. The home side were in desperate trouble at 54 for 7 when rain intervened and Mansfield & Pleasley must have been highly delighted to see it falling.

Simon West (3 for 4) and Lewis Staniforth (3 for 3) helped themselves to terrific figures as the Mansfield & Pleasley innings simply crumbled. Things can change but Eckington looked to be on a sure-fire winner here.

Third placed Papplewick & Linby 2^nd were building up a huge score in their match at Anston’s Ryton Road ground when the rains came. In a match reduced to 39 overs per side, Jamie Peat (47), Mick Henley (47) and most impressive of all Ian Hardy with a brilliant unbeaten 74 had taken Papplewick to 211 for 4 when the premature end came with seven overs still in hand. Ian Barley (2 for 32) was easily the pick of the Anston attack that was wilting under the onslaught.

North Wheatley with Leverton and Whitwell managed nine points each after completing one innings between them. Richard Robinson (41) was top scorer for North Wheatley whilst Darren Westerby bowled extremely well taking 4 for 31 for Whitwell who have bounded up the table in recent weeks.

In the other match taking place Blidworth stood rather precariously positioned on 39 for 3 when the interruption occurred at The Fieldings, the home of Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd.