Everton steal march in promotion stakes
by Paul Barker, 8th September 2008

Whilst virtually every match in the league fell victim to the rain, one has to pay tribute to the work put in by Everton and Wiseton in particular which saw one of the matches completed and another one finally thwarted by the rain but not before they had made a Herculean effort to complete proceedings.

In Division 2, Everton who are making a bold effort to regain the place in Division 1, which they lost in 2007 almost, pulled off a miraculous win over Retford 2^nd. Batting first, Everton smashed a colossal 242 for 2 with Jon Mimms (56) beginning the run feast before an unbroken stand between John Waghorne (39 n.o.) aided and abetted by a magnificent knock of 121 n.o. from Gareth Campion added to Everton’s joy and Retford’s woe. No Retford bowler could have enjoyed the treatment meted out to them as Everton put them out of their misery by declaring with only 38 overs gone.

After rain had once again interceded at tea time Retford were soon on the rack in a game that had now become a time match. Wickets fell at regular intervals and Retford were hanging on at 124 for 8 with only a defiant 52 from Sam Shepherd saving the day. Chris Woods (5 for 56) was the pick of the Everton attack, but once again the rain had the final say in a match that would surely have yielded a positive result had it have remained fine.

The one match that did produce a complete result took place at Wiseton Hall and with a six wicket win the home side clinched promotion to Division 2. Wiseton won the toss and put opponents Milton in to bat and the move proved to be an instant success. Only Neil Soper with 53 made any impact as none of the rest of the Milton batsmen made it into double figures.

Extras was the only other column that made it to double figures with 11 as Lee Peatfield (3 for 30), George Platts (3 for 17) and Nev Carter (2 for 17) completely decimated the Milton batting as they rocked to 103 all out.

In reply Nev Carter (36 n.o.) and Nick White (23) led the victory charged and other useful contributions came from Matthew Loates and Ian White (15 each) before Wiseton brought out the bubbly to celebrate their promotion.

Two other matches made a start but were denied much quicker. In Division 4, Rose Leisure stood on 68 for 3 at Langwith Road, Cuckney before no more play was possible. In Division 8, Anston 4^th were batting first and had reached 72 for 4 with Tom Bowes making 32 before rain halted play in their match with Blyth.

Relegation and Promotion

This scenario has caused more problems this season than any that I have ever known in any league and quite frankly it mustn’t be allowed to happen again. I would like to make things clear, that on this score proportion no blame to the Bassetlaw League Management Committee in any way whatsoever.

If it is not sorted out, this will carry on forever and a day. Some teams even at this stage of the season, haven’t got a clue what divisions they will be performing in next term and that should not be happening. Everyone should know what they have to do before the season starts and there is no reason whatsoever why they shouldn’t.

The Bassetlaw and South Nottinghamshire League should tell the Nottinghamshire Premier League that they steadfastedly refuse to be their ‘lap dogs’ anymore. We know the Champions of both these leagues are promoted to the Premier League and quite rightly, but it is what happens at the other end where the concern grows.

Both these leagues have to wait until they see which teams are being relegated before the composition of next year’s leagues can be formulated. If for example two teams that were originally from either the Bassetlaw or the South Nottinghamshire league are relegated then it makes things much more difficult to work out than if it is one of each.

There is of course an easy way out, which nobody has worked on yet. Rather than have to wait, every year for the two teams that come down one should be allocated to the Bassetlaw and one to the South Nottinghamshire. The most northerly would obviously go to the Bassetlaw and the most southerly to the South Nottinghamshire regardless of the leagues that they were in before.

Of course if one team says I would rather play in the other division, then I’m sorry its hard luck. It’s a difficult job I know but the current system is making it even more difficult and it needs sorting out. Caythorpe and West Indian Cavaliers which are Nottingham based teams played in the Bassetlaw so why is there any argument. This must not be allowed to carry on, take the easy way out and dictate to the clubs where they are playing rather than them tell you. It’s simple if you think about it.