Newcomers struggle in the top flight
by Phil Johnson, 13th May 2007

It is early days of course but on first glance it may be that Division A newcomers Newstead Village and Southwell are finding the step up to the top flight a difficult one. Newstead (103 – 8) clung on at home to Ellerslie (206 – 8) who had Samarat Sharma scoring a century to add to his 76 the previous week.

Southwell had spin twins David Rimmer and Stephen Wright, who were instrumental in their championship success last season take four wickets each, to help restrict home side Balderton to 173. However in reply they could only muster 105 for 7 thanks to a five wicket haul from John Redmile.

Elsewhere in A, rain prevented the games at Plumtree and Long Eaton from going past the first innings, Attenborough though will be cursing the bad light that followed after Eastwood had slumped to 37 for 3 off 21 overs chasing 166 for victory before the umpires called a halt to proceedings. Fourteen year old Dominic Harvey had impressed with the new ball for Attenborough taking the first couple of wickets to fall.

The weather deprived games of some close finishes and none more so than at Loughborough in B where the home side entertained West Bridgfordians. The visitors recovered from an early burst by Andy Harland thanks to skipper Jon Sheard (55), who showed the application required to succeed on a pitch where the batsmen were consistently misjudging the pace. A late thrash from Alan McLaughlin (20) ensured the visitors set a testing 157 for victory. In reply Loughborough stuttered early doors but whilst Pallav Patel (57*) remained at the crease victory you felt would be achieved. Unfortunately, with the game delicately poised at 98 for 4 with 59 required off 12 overs, the third and final rain stoppage caused the game to end prematurely at 7.45pm.

Continuing in B and Gotham, Rolls Royce Leisure and Bottesford all recorded their first victories of the season. Rolls (212) had a captains innings of 97 from Gordon Pearson to thank for their narrow success over Kimberley II (204), victory only being secured with three deliveries remaining. Gotham (197) had far too many on the board for Kirkby Portland (97) as Gary Kerslake and Tom Chamberlain helped themselves to four and three wicket hauls respectively. Bottesford (138 for 2) surprisingly overcame the challenge of Collingham (137) with ease, skipper Simon Claricoates top scoring with 70.

Hickling, who had won their first two games, came unstuck in Division C at Nottingham who passed the 138 target with one ball and two wickets remaining, earlier Darren Shaw and Irfan Mahmood had grabbed four wickets apiece. The strengthening of the first team squad at Plumtree has reaped dividends as their second team are the early pace setters, thrashing Bramcote (131 for 9) by ten wickets. Belvoir (203 for 5), who were edged out by Carrington Caribs last week, got their season up  and running with a 72 run success over Attenborough II. Belvoir’s Alex Dyer made up for the indignity of dropping three catches in one over by taking three late wickets, whereas defeat was rather harsh on ex Notts Amateur David Harris who contributed 80 of his sides 131.

Calverton II skipper Chris Miller achieved the notable feat of back to back centuries. Surprisingly though, on both occasions, it has been for a losing cause as on Saturday it was the turn of the  Thrumpton father and son act  of Steve (36) and Martin Weightman (104*) to steal Miller’s thunder in Division D. Two potential promotion candidates met at Radcliffe and it was the home side that came out on top chasing down Wilsons target of 189 with one over remaining thanks to 52 from Lee Houghton and an unbeaten 46 from veteran Paul Richardson. Another team to look out for is Thurgarton who so far, have posted scores of 231 and 244 and currently lead the way.

Into E and all of Long Eaton II’s wickets fell to spin as Southwell duo Jim Scott (4 for 23) and 15 year old Matt Wookey (6 for 16)  deservedly grabbed the plaudits in their victory. Elsewhere, despite a second consecutive five wicket haul for spinner Adam Scott of Hucknall II, his team went down by eight runs at West Bridgford Legion (139 for 9). A miserable weekend for Collingham was complete when their second team were defeated by fifty runs in the local derby at Farndon (236 for 5), Mark Townrow and Daniel Hubbard both recording fifties for the winners.

The name of Jani has long been taking wickets for Notts Unity Casuals. But now it may be the turn of Jit’s son Joe to take over. The youngster took 5 for 45 for the seconds in F but still couldn’t help his side to victory as a strong Gedling Colliery II (247 for 8) were victorious by 96 runs. Caythorpe III (159 for 9) also retain their 100% record following their 36 run success at Elks, John Kneal the man of the match with an unbeaten 79. Ellerslie II recovered their nightmare ”nul pois” start last week with a useful  34 run defeat of Ravenshead (149), 16 year old Chris Bellaby taking 5 for 17.

Only two games beat the showers in G, Chilwell, after gaining promotion through the back door last season are attempting to make no mistakes this time around after demolishing Epperstone (56) by eight wickets, Nick Bennett grabbing a “five fer”. Lowdham also look impressive having played two won two, both comfortable successes too, the latest at home to Bramcote II (123 for 8) by six wickets.

In H, Rob Sedgwick of Cotgrave must have been confident of the man of the match having grabbed five wickets as opponents Beeston Sycamore slumped to 52 all out. However, Tony Newby, who had earlier snaffled a couple of victims himself, smacked 53 out of 56 in reply, including four consecutive sixes to win the game.

Three teams have made the perfect start after two games in J. Newstead Village II came out on top by nine runs at Carrington Caribs II (145), Brian Thomas’ 70* being the game winning performance. Lambley had Tom Morley (63) and Philip Bowles (5 for 38) to thank for their six wicket success at Stapleford (186) whilst Sutton Bonington’s Dave Appleby (81 and 3 for 22) was in fine form with both bat and ball in his teams 74 run win at home to Ruddington.

The two promoted sides from L last season, Burton Joyce and Basford Hall OB have both made their intentions clear in K with two victories. Elsewhere, despite 37 from 14 year old Jack Peacock, Risley II (89) went down by one wicket in a thriller at home to Attenborough III.

Kimberley III and Clifton Village III continue to set the pace in L. Steven Tilley’s four wickets helped Kimberley defeat Nottingham Victoria (69) by 48 runs, whilst Clifton (148 for 8) were victorious against Stanton by Dale II (127) with Scott Fairhall (42) again top scoring. The most impressive result in the division though was Flintham’s demolition of Underwood II who could only muster 28, including six wides, Mark Arthur (5 for 14) was the chief destroyer.

Weather was the main winner in M but Long Whatton II and Keyworth II were rewarded for braving the elements and claiming their first victories. Long Whatton (175 for 8) had a comfortable success at Caythorpe IV (134), this despite four wickets from 13 year old James Mann, whilst Keyworth’s Lee Potts (66) and Richard Drury (45) both carried their bats in a ten wicket success at Farndon II (125).

The highest scorer in N was Adrian Tompkins who struck 93 in Radcliffe’s III success at home to Shepshed Town III. Cotgrave II were put to the sword by Richard Muzeja who took 5 for 18 for Newstead Village III as the visitors could only manage 65. However a superb performance in the field saw Cotgrave triumph by three runs. Plumtree III currently lead the way though after disposing of Balderton II (122 for 7) by 42 runs, the margin of victory could have been greater if it wasn’t for the fact that extras top scored with 32.

In P, Whatton and Aslockton crashed to 85 all out, only for bowler Paul Griffin to turn in a stupendous bowling performance taking 7 for 27 as Broad Street collapsed to 55 all out in reply. Clive Notman of West Bridgfordians matched Griffin’s figures, frustratingly though, rain and bad light was the winner here with West Bridgfordians tantalisingly poised on 104 for 8 chasing 120 for victory at Ruddington II.

The new teams continue to impress in R, with Notts Unity III, Hoveringham II and particularly Young Lions all recording comfortable victories. The mixed team of Wymeswold II also tasted success again, Aimee Sims striking an unbeaten 41 in her teams six wicket win at home to West Bridgford Legion II (114 for 9).