Caythorpe take Tomlins in major upset
by Paul Barker, 17th September 2008

An upset of major proportions took place in the Tomlin Trophy final at Fourth Avenue, Edwinstowe on Sunday when Division 1 side Caythorpe 2^nd easily saw off the challenge of their Championship opponents Cutthorpe by 54 runs.

The match broke away from tradition with the Central Avenue ground at Worksop being under water. It was hastily switched to Thoresby Colliery’s ground and what an inspired move it turned out to be. The game was fantastically supported and a large crowd attended, and this will give the Management Committee of the league food for thought in regard to next year and forthcoming finals.

Do they move back to Central Avenue, or do they spread it around the other quality grounds in the league? That is the burning question they now have to answer after the success of this venture was forced upon them. After this occasion the idea of spreading it around must be in the forefront of the Management Committee’s minds.

Caythorpe 2^nd have enjoyed a wonderful season and have been promoted to the Championship for the next campaign. They have a wonderful blend of youth and experience in their ranks and although Eckington deprived them of the title in their division, they recorded more outright wins than any side in that section.

They began extremely well as they batted first on a pitch which was still drying after all the rain suffered recently and reached in excess of 80 runs with only one wicket down. Josh Bolus who has been in great form all season top scored a fine 37, and he was admirably backed up by Richard Coleman (29), James Oldham (20) and Peter Mansfield (23). However from this fine start, Caythorpe rather lost their way and were nine wickets down for 130 putting Cutthorpe right back in the game.

That ex Farnsfield warrior, Tim Haines then drew upon all his experience and managed to conjure the final score up to 157 for 9 with the right combination of defence and some lusty blows which kept the scoreboard ticking.

Sajid Hussain (4 for 17) and Andy Knowles (4 for 25) bowled superbly for Cutthorpe, but they would have been disappointed that their grip was loosened at the end when they had the Caythorpe innings on the rack.

Needing a good start, Cutthorpe got just the opposite and wickets fell at regular intervals as the Caythorpe attack enveloped them in a stranglehold. Not for the first time this season, some of their talented batsmen where made to look rather ordinary by some excellent Caythorpe bowing and they were dismissed for a rather unflattering 103 with only Chris Cowley (20), Steve Chapman (16) and Rob Plested (12) reaching double figures!

Caythorpe’s Lea Hawkes bowled a superb line and length and was rewarded with figures of 5 for 28 that also deservedly won him the prize of Man of the Match.

Jim Garton the league Chairman thanked Thoresby Colliery for preparing such a good wicket despite the elements and also for their hospitality and then introduced the Presentation Party with Keith Board the league President presenting the Tomlins Trophy to Caythorpe and commemorative tankards to umpires George Evans and Stuart Broadley.

Incredibly Cutthorpe have contested nine finals and only won once and can be excused if they believe they are jinxed. However on this day there can be no excuses as Caythorpe were completely the better side and Cutthorpe who are leaving the league at the end of the season were disappointingly left empty handed once again.