More Mallen Trophy news
by Paul Barker, 29th June 2007

Group A

Whitwell 119 for 6, Worksop 93 all out

A resounding victory for Second Division Whitwell over a disjointed Worksop side. Batting first Whitwell were superbly served by there Australian skipper Heath Bush who made a very good 52 runs out of a reasonable total of 119 for 6. John Smith bowled his usual steady line and length for Worksop and was rewarded with the excellent figures of 3 for 20, whilst Conner Smith added excellent support with 3 for 17.

However all the good work which had been done by the Worksop attack was completely un-done by an abject batting display which saw them bowled out for just 93 runs. Heath Bush was the main wicket taker with 3 for 15 to complete a fine all round performance by the Whitwell skipper.

Marshalls 131 for 4, Whitwell 94 for 7

A fine virtuoso performance by Chris Hearn was the key to a 37 run for Marshalls. Batting first the Marshalls side produced a good display with Hearn the outstanding contributor with 31 most valuable runs.

In reply it was Hearn again who dominated proceedings taking 4 for 16 with his medium pacers, which ripped the heart out of the Whitwell innings.

Waleswood 148 for 8, Worksop 150 for 4

This was a match that was an absolute credit to both sides and all the officials. Played in appalling conditions neither side moaned and just got on with things and the result was a very good game which saw Worksop the victors by six wickets.

Batting first Waleswood made an impressive 148 for 8 with terrific efforts from Gareth Davis (33) and Peter Norbury (46). Credit must go to the Worksop attack that bowled extremely well with a ball that must have resembled a bar of soap by the time the innings ended.

Richard Snowden (3 for 20) and Dean Randall (3 for 16) were the pick of the Worksop attack, which did a fine all round job.

In reply Worksop scored a famous victory with James Hubball (53 n.o.) and Tim Ward (34) both batting well as conditions became progressively worse. Both teams however deserve every credit for getting this match on.

Group B

Cuckney 90 for 3, Glapwell 85 for 5

Another match where both teams deserve credit for getting it on. A late start saw the match reduced to ten overs per side and Cuckney emerged as narrow winners by 5 runs.

Batting first Cuckney rattled along at a terrific pace with Steve Bentley who is enjoying a superb season being unbeaten on 34 whilst Daniel Brown also batted well with 28 valuable runs.

Glapwell made a bold effort in reply but couldn’t quite keep up with the nine runs an over target. They finished after a valiant effort on 85 for 5 with Rob Davison (28) and Lee Topham (42) both batting well whilst Cliff Adwick showed that he is still a threat to one and all taking 2 for 16 in a very tidy spell.

Cuckney 99 for 8, Mansfield & Pleasley 65 for 9

Another win for Cuckney in what is turning out to be a very good season for them. The damp conditions made batting rather difficult and only Richard Stroh (26) managed to make much of a score as Cuckney could only make 99 for the loss of eight wickets. Mansfield & Pleasley belied their lowly status in Division 2 with a gritty display and some good bowling by Andrew Bestwick (3 for 18) and Ian Woodall (3 for 14) kept things in check.

However Mansfield & Pleasley found the bowling of young spin specialist Tom Ullyot far too much for them. He picked up 4 for 7 in an amazing spell as they collapsed to just 65 for 9 when the overs ran out giving Cuckney a 34 run win.

Bolsover 133 for 9, Cuckney 134 for 3

This was Cuckney at their zenith as they produced a great display against a side that cannot be taken for granted this season. Batting first Bolsover managed a reasonable total of 133 for 9 with Matt. Griffith top scoring on 55.

One got the impression that this target might well test Cuckney, but they produced a tremendous batting display with Richard Stroh again proving outstanding with an unbeaten 63, and Tom Ullyot making an excellent 38 to secure a tremendous seven wicket win.

Bolsover 144 for 6, Thoresby Colliery 149 for 4

Bolsover must be wondering what they have to do to win in this competition as once again they batted well only to lose by a massive six-wicket margin.

Eddie Grant (31) and a swashbuckling unbeaten 57 from Chris Pemberton saw them pile up an impressive 144 for 6 whilst Martin Cheshire (3 for 24) was the best of the Thoresby attack.

In reply, Thoresby had Kiwi Chris Spring in imperious form as he made a brilliant 63 and Thoresby reached a match winning total of 149 for 4 to further their chances of progress in this competition.

Thoresby Colliery 72 for 4 v Cuckney

In a match between the two unbeaten clubs in this section the weather had the final word driving the players to the pavilion after 12.4 overs. Sadly now under the rules of the competition both sides will be sweating whilst the mathematicians work out who goes through to the next round.

In the play that was possible two fantastic pieces of fielding by the Cuckney side ran out the two Thoresby openers with direct hits on the stumps. Chris Spring, Thoresby’s Kiwi scored an impressive 31 and Nigel Birkitt was unbeaten on 15 when the rain put paid to any further hopes of play.

It is rather sad that who goes through to the semi-finals should be decided this way, but the way the weather has been this year, I suppose it won’t be the last we hear of it.

Group C

Eckington 128 for 5, Killamarsh 55 all out

A strong Eckington side proved much too good for Killamarsh with a powerful 73 run win. Chris Ludlam who has proved to be a reliable collator of runs this season top scored with 41 as Eckington built up a useful looking 128 for 5. Good support came from skipper Tom Dawson with 19 and John Griffith was the best of the Killamarsh attack taking 2 for 25.

The Killamarsh reply never really got moving and only a dogged 14 by Danny Parks saved them from a complete rout.

Ian O’Neill (3 for 20) and Arran Green (2 for 8) did most of the damage as Killamarsh were dismissed for just 55 runs.

Kiveton Park 104 for 7, Eckington 89 all out

This was a very tight and tense match between Kiveton who are challenging strongly in Division 1 for the title and Eckington who are high-flyers in Division 2. Batting first Kiveton made 104 for 7 with Sri-Lankan Harsha Cooray making 27 and Matty Cartwright a very valuable 29. Eckington bowled well particularly skipper Tom Dawson with 2 for 13, and Ian O’Neill 2 for 18 to give their side a real chance.

In reply Eckington fell just 15 runs short and once again it was a brave captain’s innings by Tom Dawson (38) that nearly steered them to victory. Chris Storey (2 for 18) and Dean Walker (2 for 28) bowled well as Kiveton picked up some extremely valuable and hard-earned points.

Holmewood 129 for 7, Kiveton Park 131 for 0

This was Kiveton at their very best with a dazzling display against a game Holmewood side who made them battle to the end. Batting first, Holmewood managed a more than respectable 129 for 7 with David Gray (31) and Jamie Horton (38) both batting very well.

Incredibly enough, Kiveton sailed past this total without losing a single wicket with Richard Grainger (65 n.o.) and James Bullivant (60 n.o.) both in fabulous form with some glorious shots piercing the field with regularity. 

Cutthorpe 181 for 2, Eckington 104 for 3

Eckington were rather unlucky to come up against a near full strength Cutthorpe side who totally dominated the match. A tremendous start by Andy Thompson (75 n.o.) and Rob Plested (57) saw Cutthorpe set Eckington up for a mammoth nine runs an over run chase that never looked likely.

With Farhun Ayub and Steve Chapman bowling a miserly line and length, Eckington got away to a slow start when they needed a barnstorming one and although Chris Ludlam batted well for his unbeaten 40 and Nick Dawson was also unbeaten on 28 the task was much too much for them. Andy Knowles with 2 for 26 was Cutthorpe’s most productive bowler in an attack where everyone bowled well.

Holmewood v Killamarsh

Match Cancelled, Rain

Group D

Papplewick & Linby 112 for 5, West Indian Cavaliers – Rain stopped play

What looked like being a very interesting game turned out to be a washout as the Papplewick innings was interrupted by torrential rain, which prevented any further play in this match.

Papplewick & Linby 95 all out, Edwinstowe 70 all out

In a low scoring encounter Papplewick overcame the challenge of Edwinstowe by 25 runs. Batting first on a track, which was still rather damp and not easy, to score on, Papplewick made 95 all out in 19.1 overs with good contributions coming from Ritchard Winton (20) and Jamie Peat (18). James Peacock (3 for 19) was the pick of the Edwinstowe attack, although excellent support came from young Aaron Rhodes who claimed 2 for 5 in a very good stint.

In reply, Edwinstowe were always struggling and only one player Tom Ward (10) reached double figures. The incredible statistic was that there was 31 wides, otherwise, Edwinstowe’s score would have been much worse than the 70 all out they finally reached. Robin Rhodes had the incredible figures of 3 for 0, whilst Steve Alford bagged 2 for 10 and Kriss Barfield (2 for 14) as Papplewick kept their interest in the competition at large.

West Indian Cavaliers v Blidworth

Match Cancelled, Rain