Classy Hassan helps Long Eaton cement top three spot
by Phil Johnson, 3rd June 2007

In a fiery encounter, Long Eaton (183 – 9) cemented their position in the top three in Division A with a 61 run victory over struggling Eastwood. On a slow and low West Park wicket it was heavy going for the home side at first, although this soon changed once the classy Umar Hassan (67) strode to the wicket. The overseas star was supported by Tim Taylor (37) as Long Eaton looked set to post a total of 220 plus. However, the visitors’ Dave Summers (4 for 41) and Mark Smith halted the charge and it was felt that 183 was a par score, given the application required to bat on this track.

The first half dozen overs of the reply passed without incident, but this all soon changed as Hassan and Craig Mellors took a couple of wickets apiece to leave Eastwood in disarray at 24 for 4. Stephen Leese (35) and new signing Tony Coupe (18) set about repairing the damge, however the return of Hassan ceased the fight back and despite some late blows from Sunjay Mannion (29*) the visitors finished some distance short on 124.

Eastwood drop to bottom as Newstead Village recorded their first victory over fellow  strugglers Southwell. Six wickets from Nick Hand enabled the winners to bowl out the home side for 92 and despite a monumental effort from Stephen Wright (4 for 14 off 18 overs) the visitors passed the total with two wickets intact.

Calverton remain top and Plumtree second after close fought victories over Radcliffe on Trent and Attenborough respectively. The divisions stand out performance though came from Balderton who walloped Ellerslie (88) by nine wickets. It was the first failure for Samrat Sharma with the bat as the new ball combination of David Lynn (5 for 47) and Ishan Ratnayake (3 for `14) tore the visitors apart, whilst in reply, in form Tim Clipsham struck an unbeaten 58 to keep Balderton in fourth.

Top met bottom in B, and previously winless Kirkby Portland (177) sprung a surprise, defeating Rolls Royce Leisure by 21 runs thanks in the main to Steve Richardson (47 and 4 for 45). Defeat for Rolls meant that Keyworth (201 for 7) returned to the top following a comfortable victory over Collingham (132), Dave Strong (5 for 18) and spinner Rob Baker (4 for 45) earning the plaudits, Collingham at present are in danger of suffering their third successive relegation.

Bottesford climb to second after opponents Gedling and Sherwood failed by two runs to overcome the 186 target set, this was despite having 51 overs to make the runs. For Bottesford, Simon Claricoates (73) recorded the divisions highest individual score. Kimberley’s Andy Platts has made a welcome return to the club after a decade out the game, but his 65 wasn’t enough as Loughborough Carillon (208 for 9) earned a 17 point winning draw as Kimberley fell 9 runs short. Bowlers were generally on top in the league on Saturday and none more than at Gotham where the home side squeezed past the 89 required at home to West Bridgfordians with nine wickets down.

There was a turn up for the books in C where Bramcote (144 for 9) defeated previous leaders Long Whatton (66), stand in skipper Dave Norwood (5 for 29) and veteran Paul Robinson (4 for 32) turning in the game winning performances. The defeat meant that Clifton Village II go top following a 16 point winning draw at Nottingham. There was a return to form for Belvoir (152 for 4) who comfortably disposed of Carrington Caribs by six wickets, Andrew Mitchell and Tom Neville both recording half centuries.

Radcliffe II and Fiskerton continue to set the pace in Division D, Radcliffe in particular had a convincing nine wicket success at home to bottom club Calverton II (147 for 7), Chris Miller, on his return to his former club top,  scored for the fifth game in succession with 39 but Calverton’s lack of depth in bowling is costing them dear in a higher division as Radcliffe skipper Ian Noblet (71*) and Lee Houghton (69*) knocked off the runs with ease.

At the other end of the table, Lady Bay Boots (137 for 9) notched up a vital one wicket win at home to Wilsons, the last pair Imran Shahid (39*) and Asim Mushtaq putting on an unbeaten 24 for the last wicket to win the game. Willoughby (132) went down by seven runs at home to Stanton by Dale and although its early days, the two newly promoted clubs in Willoughby and Calverton II have now both played five and lost five and need to start putting a decent run together in order to avoid a quick return to Division E.

The secret of Division E leaders Risley early success seems to be in their bowling line up as no team has managed to score over 150 against them so far. Collingham (78) were the latest club to be defeated, managing only 78 in reply to the visitors 148. Elsewhere the match of the day between second placed Wollaton II and Underwood lived up to its billing as the sides tied on 154, Underwood still having three overs remaining when they lost their final wicket in the chase. Elsewhere, scores were level too on 193 between Hucknall II and Southwell II  whilst a fine all round performance from Farndon’s Daniel Hubbard (60 and 6 for 23) saw his team to victory over inconsistent Nuthall.

A rare occurrence in the league on Saturday was that only one  player scored a century, Graham Burton of Gedling Colliery II in F  came close though, being agonisingly dismissed for 99 as his side remain top, winning at Bottesford II (123) by 99 runs to stay top, Gareth Hayes (6 for 14) also starring. Notts Unity Casuals II having narrowly missed out on promotion in 2006 endured a sticky start to the season but now seem to be back on track, recording their third successive victory, Saturday’s being a seven wicket win at Wymeswold (149), Gappage Lander top scoring with an unbeaten 88 for the winners who climb to fourth. Both Eastwood II and Caythorpe III won and lie second and third respectively.

Hoveringham made light work of Beeston Sycamore (63) to remain top in G, Murray De Banke claiming five wickets. However the divisions outstanding performance came from second placed Chilwell who racked up 204 for 4 and dismissed bottom club Bramcote II for just 20! Matt Murfin (6 for 3) and Ali Mohammed (4 for 12) the partners in crime. Kinoulton were left regretting playing with ten men as they failed by just three runs at home to Snibston Grange (129 for 9), defeat was harsh on consistent performer Steve Harling who was left stranded on 77.

Its played five won five for Oxton, who are at the summit in H, Chris Groom’s four wicket haul leading them to a 27 run success over struggling Beeston Sycamore II (106). Four wins on the trot for East Leake (151) who had Robert Grant adding 4 wickets to his five last week as he helped dismissed Cotgrave for 91. Talking of bowlers in form, Adie Severn of Kirkby Portland II now has 18 victims to his name in just four games, the latest being a six wicket haul as Rolls Royce fell 13 short of the 118 target, Kirkby rise to third.

Gladstone are the new leaders in Division J, thrashing Bestwood Village (116) by 120 runs. Carrington Caribs II, lost pole position after defeat by 16 runs at home to Ruddington. Lambley are second after Mick McMillan’s second successive fifty paved the way for a 35 run win against bottom club Caunton (103). At the foot of the table, Stapleford won by six wickets at Edingley (96), Neil Gelder (5 for 17 and 31*) the man of the match.

An opening stand of 177 was the catalyst of  West Bridgfordians II victory at home to Lenton Abbey in Division K. Rob Stewart scored the leagues only century and he was ably supported by veteran Tony Orange (79) as the home side posted an insurmountable 276 to stay top. Burton Joyce stay a point behind as five wickets for Mark Pratt ensured a comfortable win against Bingham.

There is no change in Division L as four wickets for Woodborough’s Matt Lane and three from Paul Wilson bowled out home side Clifton Village III for just 69, Woodborough lost just the two wickets in reply. Willoughby II had Brian Johnson (76) in the runs again as the winning boundary at Stanton by Dale II (195 for 7) came off the penultimate delivery. Breaston (150 for 8) change places with Kimberley III in third, Andy Travers (5 for 28) and David Arden (4 for 26) the chief perpetrators in their 63 run success.

Belton extended their stay at the helm in M following a six wicket win at Snibston Grange II (144 for 9) whilst Thrumpton II just about hold to second after tieing with Fiskerton II (155) the final wicket taken with one ball remaining. Keyworth II remain third after another five wicket haul from David Hillier saw them to a 64 run win at Caythorpe IV (91).

In Division N, Elks III suffered the indignity of the leagues lowest score, managing only 19 at home to Balderton II, left armer Paul Moon returning superb figures of 7 for 7, Balderton stay top. Radcliffe on Trent III maintained their good form and swap places with Gedling Colliery III (140 for 9), both Graham Lockwood and Tom Cross notching fifties in their 45 run success.   

There are new leaders in P as Chilwell II fell to a shock defeat at Long Eaton III, chasing only 97 for victory, the previous leaders crashed to 66 all out thanks to four wickets, including a hat trick for Dave Taylor. Broad Street replace them at the summit , requiring just 12 overs to motor past the 80 runs set by struggling Beeston Sycamore III. Mid table Ruddington II had Rashid Hussain taking 4 for 43 and then hammering 97 as his side defeated Kirkby Portland III (169) with 15 overs to spare.

Both Wollaton III and Wymeswold II maintain their 100% records in R. Wymeswold II ended Hoveringham II’s unbeaten start, 12yr old Jack Hayes’ 7 for 28 dismissing Hoveringham for 110, in reply the winners got home with four wickets to spare. Finally, a four wicket haul for West Bridgford Legion II’s Pete Ottewell was that extra bit special as three of his victims were caught by his grandson Liam Needham (14).