Ninth wicket pair give Radcliffe unlikely victory
by Phil Johnson, 27th May 2007

The game of the day in Division A came at Ellerslie where 73 from Indian Samrat Sharma took him to 386 runs in 4 innings in the month of May. At 174 for 5 with 10 overs to go, the home side would have been looking for 220 but visitors Radcliffe on Trent fought back in the shape of Waddington Mwayenga (3 for 70) and left arm spinner Frankie Brown (5 for 46), the home side lost their remaining wickets for just six runs, and what more, by being dismissed in the 43^rd over, they gave Radcliffe an extra 5 overs to chase the 181 required for victory.

The additional overs seemed inconsequential when Radcliffe slumped to 121 for 8 in reply, skipper Eddie Pidduck and veteran Phil Lafbery grabbing four wickets apiece. Enter Mwayenga (30*), who together with Matt Stewart (25*) put on an unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 59 as victory was achieved in the first of the extra allocation.

Ellerslie wasn’t the only tense finish in the division as Balderton edged past Attenborough (192 for 7) with three deliveries remaining, Tim Clipsham (81) top scoring for his side for the fourth consecutive game. Winless Newstead Village (192) also gave Long Eaton a run for their money before losing out by three wickets in the penultimate over, skipper Brett Scothern steering the winners home with an unbeaten 57.

Plumtree’s third winning draw sees them currently in second place, Southwell closing on 134 for 8 in reply to the home sides 235. Struggling Eastwood can consider themselves unfortunate as they just held the upper hand in their fixture against leaders Calverton. The visitors were 151 for 6, needing a further 80 off the final 14 overs before bad light became the winner, earlier Ejaz Ahmed (96) had posted the divisions highest individual score.

Rolls Royce Leisure are the new leaders in B following their third successive victory, Saturday’s being a three wicket success at home to Gotham (155). Overall though it wasn’t a good day for the leading sides as both Keyworth and Gedling and Sherwood slipped up. Keyworth were defeated in the final over at Kimberley who passed the 170 target with two wickets intact. Earlier Steve Bennett and Craig Pitts had each took four wickets.

Gedling and Sherwood meanwhile were involved in an topsy turvy encounter at Loughborough Carillon. The visitors were set a target of 213 for victory, an outstanding spell of bowling from Paul McMillan (4 for 49) being the highlight of the first innings. In reply Gedling crashed to 49 for 5 as Andy Harland helped himself to four wickets and it seemed only a matter of time before outright victory was obtained. Survival was the first objective for middle order batsmen Jerry Cruse and McMillan but they began to take advantage of some lack lustre bowling and fielding to the extent that they were well within a shout with ten overs remaining. However the return of Pallav Patel to the attack accounted for McMillan (68) and the visitors shut up shop, ending 15 runs short.

One has to feel sympathy for bottom club Kirkby Portland who had three defeats to their name prior to Saturday. It did look as though their fortunes had changed as they posted a mammoth 275 at Bottesford, Jason Caunt recording an unbeaten century. In reply Bottesford were in disarray at 112 for 7 before rain washed the game out with twenty overs remaining.

Clifton Village II and Long Whatton continue to lead the way in C. Clifton (231 for 7) had a 39 run success at home to Belvoir who have surprisingly struggled so far, Scott Browitt taking 6 for 54 foe the winners. Long Whatton squeezed past Nottingham (178) by two wickets, Alex Lester (63*) and Chris Shilton (7 for 37) producing the game winning performances. Carrington Caribs are hot on their heels though in third following a crushing eight wicket victory at bottom club Attenbrough II (117) thanks to an unbeaten 65 from Sageer Akhtar.

Its extremely tight at the top in Division D with the leading five teams all winning. Fiskerton, who merged with Old Paviors in the close season are top after hammering Stanton by Dale (117 for 9) by nine wickets, Michael Rees recording an unbeaten 70 for the second successive week. A young Radcliffe II side currently occupy the runners up spot and two teenagers in James Ison and Mark Taylor shared nine wickets in their ten wicket success at struggling Willoughby (109). There was a further fifty from Calverton II skipper Chris Miller to go with his two centuries in May, but it didn’t improve his sides fortunes as they fell to a heavy eight wicket defeat to improving Newark, Jim Hemstock (62*) top scoring for the winning team.

The league’s outstanding performance came at Wollaton II in Division E as fifties from Andrew Rattray, Harry Somekh and Chris Cuzon enabled the leaders to post a daunting 251 for victory ay home to Hucknall II. The drama had yet to begin though as Wollaton’s Ashley Stephenson then produced a career best 8 for 13, all eight victims being bowled! Yet the figures could have been more impressive as Stephenson sent down nine no balls! Nuthall’s Russ Kirk is enjoying a new lease of life since his move from Kimberley, grabbing five wickets to add to his six the previous week as Nuthall thrashed bottom club Long Eaton II (68) by ten wickets.

There was agony for Paul Thompson of Souhwell II who was run out backing up for 98, though some may say it had been justice as previously he had run the captain and vice captain out! Southwell required eight off the final over for victory at home to West Bridgford Legion and it was 17 year old Nathan Burton who became the hero striking the first and third balls for boundaries. Mention must also be made of Risley who have played four won four, their latest success being a two wicket win at home to Farndon, Jack Havron (29*) seeing the victors through.

Caythorpe III (115) surrended the top spot in F rather tamely, Matt McBrides four wickets enabling Gedling Colliery II to replace them at the top with a seven wicket success. Its been a miserable winter and spring for Elks who saw Awsworth Village form their own breakaway team and then the merger with Rainworth Welfare has been anything but successful, however Scott Law (82 and 3 for 30) finally gave the club something to smile about on Saturday as the first team were victorious over Ellerslie II (151) by the margin of 23 runs. Elsewhere, despite a fine all round performance by Ravenshead’s Julian Tadd (64 and 4 for 25) his side still came second at home to Wymeswold and remain bottom.

Hoveringham have pulled clear at the top of Division G after a surprise defeat for Lowdham (123) at Kinoulton (219) who recorded their first win of the season. Chilwell, recovered from their setback last week by bowling Whatton and Aslockton out for just 29, Ali Mohammed (6 for 12) being the chief destroyer. Gotham II were again involved in a last over finale but it ended in defeat this time as Beeston Sycamore edged past the 170 required with one wicket intact.

Oxton (240 for 6) remain in pole position in Division H, Simon Widdision blasting 81 in his teams mammoth 195 run success over Gedling and Sherwood II. There was a third successive win for East Leake (219 for 9) over Elks II (85), Robert Grant taking 5 for 11. The divisions highest score came from East Bridgford’s Andy Wright who struck 118 in his team 92 run win at Beeston Sycamore II (174).

In J, the division’s remaining 100% record went in some style as Newstead Village II (165) were thrashed by nine wickets at Lambley thanks to 94 from Nick McMillan and 44 from ex Arnold man Jamie Marchant. Carrington Caribs II moved to the summit after overcoming the challenge of bottom club Caunton (155)  by three wickets. Still no joy for Bestwood Village though who were defeated by 83 runs at Sutton Bonington (185), Ian Stone taking four wickets for the winners.

West Bridgfordians II  hold on to their 100% record at the top in Division K, being comfortable winners at home to Attenborough III (117 for 8), veteran Paul Garton grabbing a hat trick,  whilst Basford Hall OB and Bingham moved up to third and fourth respectively.

Willoughby II looked down and out in Division L on 70 for 9 chasing 121 for victory at home to Flintham. However a superb last wicket stand of 52 between Jon Chicken (34*) and 14 year old Lawrence Johnson ensured a dramatic victory, the win moved Willoughby up to second place. Previous leaders Kimberley III (103) turned in a poor performance and lost heavily at Stanton by Dale II (171 for 6), they have been replaced at the top by Woodborough who comfortably disposed of Nottingham Victoria. The leagues highest individual score was by Barry Rainsford of Breaston who struck an unbeaten 120 in his teams 134 thrashing of Clifton Village III (135).

Both Thrumpton II and Belton recorded victories to continue to lead the way in M, although Wilsons (214) II remain just behind the promotion spots, Fayaz Ahmed and Amir Khan both scoring 72 in their teams hammering of Snibston Grange II (54). Not even six wickets for David Fairbrother of Long Whatton II could bring his team success as they  went down by seven runs at fourth placed Keyworth II.

Gedling Colliery III edged home with two wickets to spare at home to Lowdham II (115), the win keeps Gedling top in N. Both Shepshed Town III and Balderton II won though to keep the pressure on the leaders.

Chilwell II are mirroring the successful start made by their first team, the seconds are top in Division P following an easy victory at home to Whatton and Aslockton II (103). Broad Street Arrows returned to winning ways, Mike Hallam striking 71 as they passed Long Eaton III’s 142 with four wickets remaining. Elsewhere there was an outstanding individual performance by Ellerslie II’s Nasser Hussain who took 7  for 23 and struck an unbeaten 33 as his side demolished Kimberley IV (90) by seven wickets.

In Division R, Wollaton III, Hoveringham II, Wymeswold II and East Leake II hold the top four positions and have yet to be beaten. Young Lions unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt after being bowled out for 59 by Wymeswold II, Sophia Hayes taking 6 for 24 to add to her “five fer”  on the opening day.  Finally,  the wicket at Shepshed Town IV was hardly what you call a batsmen’s paradise. Neil Chantril took 8 for 15 as visitors Collingham were shot out for just 24, yet incredibly the home side lost six wickets in reply, after a brave attempt from Lee Bowditch (4 for 10).