It's Cuckney again
by Paul Barker, 24th June 2007

As we suggested last week when Kiveton Park leapfrogged everybody and went to the top of the table, the ‘luck factor’ that all teams have, has a way of working itself out over a season. Whilst Kiveton were the only team to play in Division 1 last week, they could only sit and bite their nails in frustration this week as there nearest rivals Cuckney recorded an emphatic win to go back to the top.

It didn’t look that way at one time however in the conditions as they did everywhere, certainly favoured the fielding sides and Cuckney were bowled out for the unflattering total of just 131. When one considers that Richard Stroh whose batting has improved out of all question, made 41 and Steve Bentley (34) scored 75 between them, it doesn’t say too much for the rest.

These two players were the big difference however as opponents Thoresby Colliery bowled well with Bill Lippeatt (3 for 26), Shailesh Patel (2 for 33), Farook Aziz (2 for 21) and Martin Cheshire (2 for 22) outstanding.

Facing possibly there most daunting task of the season, Cuckney with the inspirational Stroh again well to the fore, set about Thoresby right from the word go and quickly turned around a situation which might have been tricky into a stroll in the park. Wickets fell at regular intervals and Thoresby were all back inside for just 63, and defeated by 68 runs.

Stroh helped himself to 5 for 34 and with skipper Will Butler taking 2 for 12, Thoresby just had no answer to the Cuckney assault. One thing this match has taught us is that Cuckney are a side that will ‘scrap’ it out to the bitter end even when their position isn’t all that good. Other teams beware!

The only other match in Division 1 took place on a surprisingly dry outfield but a fairly damp wicket which dried out considerably as the match wore on at Goosedale Lane where Notts. & Arnold Amateurs hosted Bolsover.

It was always going to be difficult for the batsmen and when Notts. & Arnold lost Ian Flood early a struggle was on the cards from the word go. A decent stand between Tom Elliot and Joe Pallister then appeared to have quelled the danger but when the latter was dismissed it was downhill all the way. Even in the most trying of conditions there was no doubting the class of the Australian Elliot who although the ball was not ‘coming on’ never looked in any real danger.

However when he had reached 40, he was beaten and bowled by a ball that pitched and then scuttled along the ground before smashing into the base of the stumps. It is doubtful if anyone would have been able to prevent themselves from being out to such a delivery and incredible bad luck for someone who had carried the fight single-handedly to the Bolsover attack. The rest of the tail folded meekly to 84 all out and Bolsover certainly looked to have the whip hand at half way.

The damage had been done by Husnain Kazim (3 for 14) with his accurate seam-up style but the real thorn in the Notts. & Arnold side had been the left arm spin of Kirrum Sehraz who found considerably turn and bounce and would have troubled everyone with his control.

Bolsover skipper Mark Bull got his side away to a great start scoring nine runs off the first over, but they quickly lost Chris Cowley, Andy Rogers and Steve Wooley to give Notts and Arnold a glimmer of hope. When Sehraz fell at 45 a shock looked possible, but a fine partnership between Mark Bull and (42) and Matt Ryalls took Bolsover to the point of victory before Bull and then Pemberton were dismissed.

Mohammed Billal (3 for 30) bowled well for Notts. and Arnold but the target set was always too shallow and Bolsover crossed the line with four wickets to spare on 86 for 6. This victory takes Bolsover up to third in the table and no longer are they anybody’s pushovers.

Division 2 leaders Waleswood recorded another big victory and shoved two fingers up to those who say the bubble will burst. Quite frankly it doesn’t look like that will happen, because this side are just mowing anything out of their way that stands in front of them.

Batting first, Waleswood were all out for 162 with Gareth Davis again showing what a good player he is with 53 very valuable runs. Heath Bush (3 for 32) and Ian Dennis (3 for 33) both bowled well as Whitwell who are the only side to beat Waleswood this season tried hard to repeat the feat.

This target however was miles too many and Whitwell were dismissed for just 100 with Dave Jessop top scoring on 21. All the Waleswood attack weighed in with wickets with Gareth Davis (2 for 2), Jason Clarke (2 for 32) and Simon Cope (2 for 18) all proving virtually unplayable. There is a long way to go yet, but Waleswood keep increasing their lead at the top and they are certainly going to take some stopping.

An absolute thriller took place at Ryton Road with Mansfield Hosiery Mills 2^nd beating hosts Anston by just two runs. Batting first, Hosiery Mills made 156 for 6 with Bill Frodsham (32 n.o.) and Darren Johnson (32) both top scoring whilst Neil Carter (3 for 41) was the best of the Anston attack.

In reply Anston were thankful to Matt. Hewitt (30) and Mark Parkinson (39) as they clawed ever closer to victory. Kyle Garside (3 for 39) and Adam Dobbs (3 for 24) bowled well for the Hosiery Mills but it was Anston (154 all out) who threw it away in the last over, losing with one ball remaining via two run outs owing to panic stations when a cool head would have been more in keeping with the situation.

For the spectators however it was a real thriller, but the Hosiery Mills will probably be wondering how they managed to win, whilst Anston must be totally amazed that they lost.