Gunn and Moore South Notts Cricket League Report Saturday 4 May 2013
By Phil Johnson
After finishing runners up in Belle & Jerome Division A last season Balderton will be quietly confident of going one better this season. However even they could not have hoped for such a dream start to their title campaign.
After being inserted into bat, a partnership of 187 for the second wicket between Dan Freeman (112) and Alan Jackson (58) set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. For Freeman it was a maiden century for the first team. Chris Dobbie (41) and Akshu Fernando (39*) stepped up the tempo and the home side could even afford the luxury of declaring on 311 for 4.
Fifty two overs were available to bowl out Ellerslie but only 35 were required in the rout. It spun early doors and Fernando (6 for 18) together with Paul Colcomb (2 for 11) reaped the rewards to send the visitors crashing to a mammoth 230 run defeat.
Slender title favourites Wollaton had a far from easy ride at home to Unity Casuals. The visitors took first knock and opener Aidan Kerry, whose availability was severely limited last season, struck a brilliant 139 out of 250. Husnain Riaz, on his return to the club from Rolls Royce, made 24 as teenager Alec Cobbett (3 for 56) added more victims to his three in the National Cup last weekend.
Wollaton’s strength undoubtedly lies in their batting and there was a decent opening stand between James Godrich (38) and Karl Glendenning (33). The game was probably won when Tim Young (69) and Max O Dowd (41) came together. The pair almost carried the team over the finishing line but Freddie Sail claimed that honour in the penultimate over.
The game at Clifton Village II followed the expected path with only Anthony Hart (30) and Richard Harrison (27) offering any resistance to the medium pace of Radcliffe’s Simon Ward (6 for 26).  There were also two wickets apiece for Eddie Torr and debutant Kiwi Will Langsdale.
Chasing 134 to win, another debutant Luis Holliday (38) got the innings off to a rock solid start and the six wicket win was accomplished by Rob Sutton (51).
Hucknall (271) set a record at home to Calverton, recording the highest total at the Gatehouse without an individual half century. The main contributors to the score were Scott Harris (45), Lee Smith (40), Aaron Lee (39), Jake Wright (32) and Josh Buckley (27*). For Calverton, spinner Brinsley Kirkham (4 for 59) took wickets late on but the team will rue some early dropped catches.
The run chase never materialised, especially after first change Robin Maxwell worked up a head of steam to bowl some genuine pace. Maxwell picked up three wickets, including the prize scalp of Ryan Evans (32) caught and bowled before a knee injury curtailed his contribution.
Things looked bleak for the visitors at 118 for 8 but Kevin Evans and Richard Lee dug in before Lee fell leg before to Australian Nathan Thomas (3 for 37) with the penultimate delivery. Number 11 Kyle Welch survived a huge shout for a catch last ball therefore Hucknall had to be content with a winning draw as the innings closed on 153 for 9.
  There was a similar rear-guard action at Belvoir where Gedling Colliery’s Lee Gomersall completed his century off the last ball of the innings. Rhys Hayes (62), Sam Darling (41) and Geoff Burton (33) also impressed against an inexperienced attack.
Chasing an imposing 267 to win, Belvoir were comfortably poised at 87 for 2 thanks to skipper Ollie Clayfield (33) and 14 year old Lyndon James (30). However, as expected the pitch was taking some turn and Zaheer Rehman (5 for 17) filled his boots. However, Belvoir showed some spirit at the death and thanks to Ollie Elson and Matt Irvine the home team hung on for a losing draw on 153 for 9. Nevertheless, Gedling will be more than content with their opening day display.
There were local derbies aplenty in 200 Degrees Coffee Division B and a quick return game for Southwell who entertained Collingham.
The home side’s total of 185 was built around the consistent Tim Green (64) and Alistair Haynes (38) with David Pipes (4 for 43) continuing his early season form. In fact Pipes wasn’t done as together with Ben Hazledine (44) the pair chased down the target.
The visitors were then pegged back a little by Dave Rimmer (4 for 71) and 17 year old Zac Ashworth (1 for 14) and the final over began, bowled by Rimmer with Collingham requiring nine runs to win. Rimmer was coolness personified and with six required off the final delivery, Pipes (81) launched the ball high, it lacked any kind of distance though and a catch was taken at mid wicket to give Southwell a winning draw.
Eastwood have signalled their intentions with the signings of the Marsh brothers from Belper Meadows.  It was Richard (82) who top scored and together with a patient 69 from Jason Woolliscroft and 54 in 40 balls from Gordon Pearson, local rivals Kimberley were set a daunting 259 for victory.
After tea there was a half century opening stand between Prabhdip Sidhu (24) and the returning Vaughan Hamilton (20) but in truth Kimberley were never really in the hunt with Ryan Elliott (3 for 41), Dwayne Buckley (2 for 26) and James Longden (2 for 28) chipping away. Full credit to young Joe Platts though who batted out the final over to leave the home side hanging on for a losing draw on 158 for 9.
After three seasons of struggle, Long Eaton must have thought their luck had finally changed when visitors Attenborough stumbled to 6 for 4 and then 27 for 7 at West Park. However, surely the script was written when ex player Jack Harrison (33) strode to the crease. The keeper shared vital stands with Chris Allcoat (47) and Ben Bhabra (33*) to close on 158 with Ryan Cuthbert taking 5 for 50.
Bhabra went on to claim the man of the match award, claiming five victims as Long Eaton fell 46 runs short, the usual batting frailties again painfully exposed.
Newly promoted Gotham’s Rob Goddard took a wicket with the second ball of the day but that was as good as it got for the home side.
Hyson Green (202) had ex Rolls man Waheed Khan (42) top scoring but the day’s honours would go to Shahid Khan (27). Gotham were never at the races after the interval as Khan (5 for 14) and last season’s starlet Mohammed Bilal (3 for 26) sent them crashing to an 83 run defeat. Matthew Hogg (27) top scored for the home side on a day with few positives.
The other promoted club, Keyworth, fared little better as they were shot out for 118 at home to West Bridgfordians. What really twisted the knife was that it was an ex-player Alex Sheriston (4 for 29) who did most of the damage.
There was a couple of wickets apiece for Andy Hiller and Rob Baker after the break but number 3 John Sheard (65*) steered Bridgford home to a four wicket success.
Newark R&M (147) received a harsh introduction to life in Rothera Dowson Division C, crashing to a 127 run defeat at home to Plumtree II.
The winners had Ben Storey (117) and Cleb Mierklans (77) in the runs and Nigel Finney (3 for 18) and Ed Hodgson (3 for 19) in the wickets with only Alex Hales (34) and Rob Taylor (32) holding up the inevitable after tea.
After surviving on the final day of the last couple of seasons, there was a much brighter start for this time round for Thurgarton at Radcliffe II.
All eyes were on star signing Sam Cliff (22* & 2 for 30) but he was overshadowed by Chris Dutton who made 82 out of the 160 required for victory. Earlier in the day, Aaron Singh (3 for 42), James Faulkener (2 for 20) and Tim Kirkham (2 for 30) had shared out the wickets.
Relegated Wollaton II (113) were on the wrong end of an eight wicket thrashing at Gedling Colliery II who had Baz Bailey (2 for 11) and the returning Connor Scott (3 for 16) pulling the strings.
Victory was achieved in only 22 overs thanks to Danny O’Brien (60*) and Graham Burton (28) with James Cox taking both wickets to fall.
Bottesford recorded a slightly below par 168 at home to Hoveringham with Philip Irvine (38) top scoring. For the visitors Adam Hugill (4 for 43), Stuart Walton (2 for 29) and Murray De Bank (3 for 45) all contributed with the ball.
Skipper Ben Lee made 39 in the second innings but lacked any kind of support as Irvine (4 for 36) and Ben Ryder (4 for 35) bowled their team to a 47 run success.
In Millward Print Division D, Hucknall were on top at Risley with the home side struggling on 84 for 5 in pursuit of 159. However, not for the first time, the Shaw brothers came to the rescue with Matt (85) and Andy (27*) ensuring a five wicket win.
Gedling & Sherwood’s descent down the leagues would surely be over if Matt Oliver could play every week. The talented Guernsey batsman struck 63 as his team successfully chased down 134 at West Bridgfordians II.
New Ellerslie II skipper Nadeem Akhtar had a dream start in Star Foundation Division E and set a record in the process. Five wickets for Tauseef Raza and three for Tom Shields saw Southwell II blasted out for 22. Then the record fell with victory being achieved in just 9 balls!
Newly promoted Beeston & Toton Sycamore must have thought victory was theirs after bowling out Underwood for 86. However, six wickets for Craig Smithurst and two for ex Rolls man Leighton Upson saw Underwood claim an unlikely 21 run triumph.
Elsewhere in E, Fiskerton finally got the better of their nemesis Farndon with skipper David Hedge firing an unbeaten 111 to knock off 209.
There was a thriller in Trophy Master Division F where earlier 15 year old Will Peat struck 90 for Calverton (206). The game went into the final over and Belvoir II’s Paul Gadd was caught off the penultimate delivery which resulted in a five run defeat.
James Wilkes of Sutton Bonington has hit the ground running adding an unbeaten 103 to his 97 the previous Saturday. His efforts went a long way to ensuring an 82 run home success over East Bridgford (138).
GB Bookkeeping Division G looks an open league with newly promoted Lambley (184) signalling their intentions at West Bridgfordians III (87) with Jordan Whitehead (58 & 2 for 16) claiming the man of the match award.
Poor Gedling and Sherwood II came up against a strong Rolls Royce Leisure II side in Division H. Abdul Sultan Khan blasted 167 and Matt Anderson 117* as the visitors closed on 333. The home side were held back by Qasim Khan (4 for 12) and finished miles short on 141.
A youthful Kimberley III side rose to the challenge of the higher level with fifteen year old Alex Aldred (60) knocking off the 176 required at home to Bramcote II in just 27 overs.
In Carlton Car Centre Division J, it was a different league but the same old woes for Oxton (54) who were given a right hammering by visiting Attenborough III (271). For the winners, ex Wollaton man Gordon Airey made 89 and Jason Jandu took 4 for 17.
Perennial strugglers Basford Hall OB had something to smile about with Donald McDuff (5 for 8) playing a pivotal role in their five wicket success at home to Clifton Village III (115).
In Sign Solutions Division K Risley II will be rueing only having ten men when they lost their final wicket with the scores level at Radcliffe III (113). For the home side, it was Marcus Heath who claimed the vital wickets of Andy Halford (32) and Ryan Howes.
All sorts of records tumbled in King Stone Products Division L. The league’s highest ever total went to Hoveringham II who amassed 378 at home to West Bridgfordians IV (144). The team also declared with 17 balls remaining and the star of the show was undoubtedly Mike Cupit. The opening bat clubbed a brilliant unbeaten 219, an innings that included 24 fours and 10 sixes. Cupit shared in a third wicket partnership of 279, another record with Ian Hart (100*).
Not too far behind Hoveringham down the road were Caythorpe IV who made 361 at home to Ellerslie III. Lawrence Reynolds, John Smith, Steven Trueman and Ian Lane all recorded fifties and the total is made all the more impressive as the game was reduced to 40 overs per side. Ellerslie in reply were bowled out for 88 which broke another record in the highest winning margin (273 runs).
Kimberley IV’s Matt Ross is more renowned for his leg spin, however on Saturday in Division M the veteran made 92 at Wymeswold IV. However it was all in vain at Nick Shaw’s 90 guaranteed at four wicket win for the home side.
Newstead Village III are keeping the flag flying for the village after the folding of the first and second teams. On Saturday Phil Collins (99*) finished agonisingly short of a century but his efforts at least gave his team a 36 run victory over Gedling Colliery IV in Oracle Property Finance Division P.
 Finally, in Division R, thirteen year old Charlie Taylor of Ellerslie IV carried his bat to record a maiden fifty, it won the game too as Ellerslie overhauled Thrumpton III’s 159 in the final over.
       

With the lower league changed structure 2013 and the unfortunate withdrawals a number of clubs may find they have too many blank weekends. Why not contact some of the other clubs, in a similar position, to see if they require a friendly Saturday afternoon fixture.

In the next weeks the following clubs (by Division) have a blank week, go on make a game of it.

Div C 18-05 Radcliffe on Trent II

Div C 25-05 Thurgarton

Div K 18-05 Lenton Willoughby II & Radcliffe on Trent III

Div K 25-05 Gedling Colliery III & Risley II

Div N 25-05 Newstead Abbey III & Whatton Aslockton II

Div P 18-05 Beeston & Toton Sycamore III & Radcliffe on Trent IV

Div P 25-05 Burton Joyce II & Lambley II

Div R 18-05 East Leake II & Fiskerton II 

Some of these clubs will have a home ground available (see handbook for confirmed fixtures).