South Nottinghamshire Cricket League

Belvoir are in sight of the winning post and within touching distance of the Premiership. With just two games remaining, they require just 27 points after Plumtree pressed the self destruct button on Saturday.

Away at Hyson Green, who need points for altogether different reasons, Plumtree took early wickets and it took a contribution of 41 from number 7 Shahid Khan to get Caribs into three figures. Liaqat Ali chipped in with 16 at the death but a final total of 134 was well below par. For Plumtree, Australian Brad Evans grabbed five wickets with Ben Thompson and Scott Bailey picking up two apiece.

The visitors lost Thompson in the first over of the reply but a partnership of 69 between Steve James (39) and Notts Academy star Hassan Azad (36) seemingly saw Plumtree well on their way to victory. However, Caribs never gave up and the losers simply imploded to the spin of Kaisar Altaf (4 for 17) and the little seamers of Moshin Qayyum (3 for 27), falling 14 runs short. Ex skipper Ali also grabbed three wickets and at 43 is still a handful at this level with pace and movement.

With this result, Belvoir would have been more than content with a sixteen point winning draw at home to Balderton. Batting first, Tom Neville (75), Jim Clayfield (56), Ollie Clayfield (43), Darren Bicknell (41) and James Needle (41) piled on the runs, the latter’s’ innings coming off just 23 balls. The final score was 296 with Balderton’s Marlon Franklin who enjoyed an impressive first half of the campaign, seeing his 16 wicketless overs dispatched for 107.

Balderton were happy to bat out for the draw and finished on 198 for 6 with Dominic Wiffin top scoring with 53 and Lee Fazackerley ((2 for 43) and Bicknell (2 for 41) the pick of the bowlers.

Hucknall Rolls climb back into second, a point ahead of Plumtree after seeing off relegated Gedling and Sherwood. The bottom club made 145 with Jerry Cruise (27) and Greg Bloor (26) getting starts before Rahim Karim (5 for 38) ran through the batting. Bloor took three wickets after tea but Rolls successful run chase was scored in excess of seven runs an over and owed much to a lightning fifty from Wasim Karim and 46 from Mansoor Khan. Rolls even had the luxury of leading run scorer Gordon Pearson being dismissed first ball.

With the prospect of three clubs being relegated from Divisions A to L looking increasingly likely most divisions are going to go down to the last day. However a defeat next week for Long Eaton will see them relegated to Division B. Visitors Southwell made 202 on a helpful track with young Grant McCarthy (66) impressing. Villiers, Harrison and Mellors all took a couple of wickets each for Long Eaton who had Brett Scothern notching a fifty after the interval. Unfortunately though, for much of the season, Scothern has ploughed a lone furrow and the losers slipped to 111 all out with Dave Rimmer again the best bowler with 5 for 36.

After looking reasonably safe a few weeks ago, a poor run of form has seen Gedling Colliery slip into the bottom three and Saturday saw them come a distant second in a losing draw at Unity (285 for 3). Samrat Sharma (90) came close to a third century and was supported by Dominic Terkowski (80) and Gurpej Landa (66). Colliery never came close in the chase and ended on 155 for 7 with Duncan McKeown (40) top scoring. For Unity, spinner Usman Mussafer (5 for 49) continues to earn the plaudits in a successful season.

Into B and Clifton Village II’s batting was again prominent in a nine wicket thrashing of local rivals Gotham who had made 215 thanks to the Haworth brothers of Alex (60) and Steve (54).  For Clifton, another set of brothers, the McDermott’s were in the wickets in the shape of Richard (4 for 33) and David (2 for 55).

One of the players of the season has to be Sam Jones, the Clifton opener, previously with Portslade CC recorded his third century of the season as the total was chased down in only 34 overs with Daniel Mierkalns and James Taylor also both recording 49 for the winners.

Ellerslie stay second after Kane Wilson (87), Simon George (80) and Shahid Mohammed (59) starred in the run feast at home to Newstead Village. Chasing an improbable 283 to win, an early finish looked on the cards when Newstead’s top order crumbled, however a partnership  between James Easom (73) and Andy Paulson (46) ensured they avoided defeat on 153 for 7. For Ellerslie, Tariq Mahmood (6 for 38) was once again superb and has now 47 wickets to his name.

Hucknall are now in the other promotion slot in fourth but they did things the hard way at home to Eastwood who recovered from 75 for 6 to post 163 thanks to runs late on for Dwayne Buckley (46), who has returned after a short spell at Kimberley and Luke Elderkin (31). Hucknall themselves struggled early on with Josh Buckley (3 for 72) and Elderkin (2 for 49) in amongst the early wickets. In fact the home side were 73 for 6 at one stage before Robin Maxwell (84*) and Adam Scott (28*) saw them home.

The big relegation clash was all over by 4pm with Calverton continuing their great escape by dismissing woeful Kirkby Portland for 41. Mark Haseman, on a rare outing took 5 for 16 and ex pro Kevin Evans chipped in with three with Eddie Lee (22*) ensuring that the run chase had no alarms.

Plumtree II got back to winning ways against a Radcliffe II side whose disastrous run has seen them drop to next to bottom. Radcliffe made 153 with Alex Sheriston’s four wicket haul taking his tally to 42. Tom Crosse made 31 for Radcliffe and took three wickets at the start to leave Plumtree II stuttering somewhat on 47 for 4 before Justin Stockdale (73) saw the winners through to a five wicket success.

There was very little change in C with leaders West Bridgfordians (244) settling for a 17 point winning draw at home to struggling Bottesford (194). Bridgford have a man in form in Henry Straw and the opener followed up three successive fifties with a brilliant 110. Andrew Sharpe (54) also assisted as did Chris Navin (33), whilst Kushal Shah (4 for 55) kept a rein on the run chase.

Collingham remain second and now seem to have the right mix of youth and experience in their promotion quest. Kiwi Karl Tew (3 for 3) has started playing again, as has veteran Joe Edge (39), however it was skipper David Pipes (81* and 3 for 37) who was the star in his teams seven wicket win at home to Wollaton II (155).

Wilsons (230) stay on their trail though after Iftikhar Ahmed fired 85 in his team’s 17 point winning draw at Gedling Colliery II (193 for 7) for whom promotion looks increasingly unlikely.

Kimberley’s Steve Bennett has endured a difficult first season in charge of Kimberley II, both in terms of results and his own performance. However the side are on a decent run, have a Popkess Cup Semi Final to look forward to and on Saturday Bennett (4 for 24) played the major role in his teams four wicket at home to Keyworth (118).

Just when Hoveringham looked set to claim the title in D, along come Southwell II who must be rueing their form in May as they are beating all comers at present. It was a tight affair though, Hoveringham had set 182 and after Chris Miller had hit 60, the home side got home with two balls remaining.

Thurgarton took full advantage and closed the gap in second, however they too struggled at times, stumbling to 57 for 5 in pursuit of 111 at home to out of form Risley before Will Higson (32) and Niels Hart forged the match winning partnership. Earlier in the day Adam Bloomfield had recorded a seasons best of 6 for 44.

It’s anybody’s guess whose going through the trap door in D. Two candidates met at Newark with Willoughby failing by just one run with Pete Forster taking the game winning wicket to go with Rob Matchett’s 74 for the winners.

One more win for West Bridgfordians II in E should see them secure promotion after successfully defending 143 at Farndon (91) thanks to three wickets each for Fred Notman and the in form Adam Hancocks. Nuthall keep the pressure on though in second with Adam Leigh (113) and Richard Marsh (5 for 2) sharing the honours in a 151run demolition of Kirkby Portland II (82). Convincing wins for the second teams of Hucknall and Ellerslie means that the promotion race will run and run.

Wymeswold are almost home in F. The leaders are now 33 points clear with Richard Shelton  striking a six off the penultimate delivery to snatch a thrilling win at Kinoulton (210) for whom Shaun Campbell (107* & 3 for 69) can consider himself unfortunate to be on the losing side. All is not lost though with a defeat for fellow promotion rivals Calverton II (141) at home to Whatton and Aslockton for whom ex Radcliffe man Matt Stewart (65*) top scored.

   At the wrong end of the table, a partnership between Keith Oxspring (48*) and Grant Newcombe (38) won the game for East Leake at home to East Bridgford (127) and gave them renewed hope of avoiding the drop. Time is almost up though for Long Eaton II (75) who failed to chase down 104 at Epperstone (104).

Beeston Sycamore’s unbeaten record in G is over after losing by 35 runs at home to closest rivals Ravenshaead who had Numan Shafiq (4 for 47) and Julian Tadd (3 for 32) in the wickets. Ravenshead needed to win too as there was a victory for third place Burton Joyce at Gotham II (212) with Gavin Baguley (81) and Kris Seymour (68) the match winners.

Snibston Grange have slipped alarmingly in recent weeks and could not defend 168 with Kwesi Spencer (66), 14 year old Alistair Petitt (44*) and an unbeaten 24 in just 9 balls from Tom Kirkham seeing West Bridgfordians III through to an eight wicket win.

There is no change in H where leaders Sutton Bonington read the last rites to Basford Hall OB (98) with Ian Stone, Lee Wheedon and Mark Sturgess all taking three wickets and Dave Appleby striking a fifty in the victory. Second place Collingham II were even more impressive, bowling out Edingley (38) in just 13 overs with Tom Gilbert (7 for 23) recording the days best figures. Near the foot, not even the presence of Andrew Jackman (40) could inspire Hyson Green II (97) as they fell to a heavy defeat at Flintham.

After a slip last week, Hucknall Rolls II secured promotion in J and in some style too! The leaders racked up 309 with Dave Dixon, Graham Cauldwell and Jake Wright all firing fifties. After tea it was the turn of the old guard with Leighton Upson (5 for 30) and Ian Wade (3 for 20) demolishing Keyworth II for 59.

Lambley remain in the promotion race and had a 169 first wicket partnership between Elliott Burnett (101) and Geoff Spurr (59) to thank for a nine wicket win at home to Woodborough (180).

Leaders Thrumpton II had no problems at home to Beeston Sycamore II (141) in K whilst Bingham remain second with a thrilling two wicket win at Risley II (208) with the Spencers of  Tom (57) and Mike (79*) the heroes.

Not so good news for top team Radcliffe III in L who fell to defeat at home to Underwood II (155 for 6) who are on a tremendous run and have the divisions star player at present in Matt Thorley (37). After looking doomed in early July, a third win on the bounce for Willoughby II have given them hope of avoiding relegation. The latest success saw Tim Ward hit 51 in a 99 run thrashing of Broad Street (93).

Both Gedling Colliery III and Young Lions (165) have now been promoted in M with the latter emerging victorious in the top of the table clash by 82 runs. Down at the other end of the scale, 60 from Steve Gibson and an unbeaten 47 from Tommy Hassell saw Breaston gain a priceless win at home to West Bridgfordians IV (164).

Drama in N with leaders Ruddington II being deducted five points for failing to raise a side at Lowdham II. This paved the way for Ellerslie III to go top, thrashing Lambley II (93) 128 runs.  The days highest team score went to Hoveringham II who crashed 338 at home to poor Stanton by Dale. Paul Lewis (109) and Matt Brown (86) helped themselves before Steven Campbell (7 for 26) tore through Stanton’s batting to tee up an incredible 277 run success.

Madni are close to honours in P after defeating closest rivals Kimberley IV by 54 runs. This was despite a battling 71 for the losers from veteran Chris Mozley. Attenborough IV climb over Kimberley into second after making light work of Collingham III with Carl Knight (37*) and Mark Bateman (5 for 12) enjoying good days.

Finally in R, top dogs Poplars continue to impress, knocking off 187 at Old Dalby in just 24 overs with Sharath Rajan (87*) and Abhishek Jha (63) blasting their way to victory.

Gunn and Moore South Notts Cricket League Report Saturday 24 July 2010

By Phil Johnson

It proved to be a bridge too far for Rolls Royce on Saturday. In a week that saw them triumph in T20, the Hucknall club were outplayed in every department by closest rivals Plumtree who once again take over at the top in A.

There was an early wicket apiece for both Jason Gorman and Raheem Karim, but from then on, some solid contributions from the Plumtree batsmen enabled the home side to post a testing 224 with Australian Brad Evans (49), Steve James (39) and Charlie Kingsbury (39) the chief run scorers.

 The writing was on the wall for Rolls immediately after tea with Evans (4 for 11) decimating the top order.  Ben Thompson (3 for 26) and Matt Milnes (3 for 32) took care of the rest and Rolls only got to 72 thanks to a contribution of 21 from tail ender Ansar Khan.

Plumtree’s closest rivals are now Belvoir whom they meet next week. Belvoir had a comfortable eight wicket win at home to Long Eaton for whom games are running out to save themselves.

Brett Scothern (41) continued his good form of late and there was a welcome 36 for Tim Taylor, however the innings was kept in check by Lee Fazackerley (3 for 48) and Darren Bicknell (2 for 41). Chasing 183 to win, Belvoir lost a couple of early wickets to Craig Mellors, but the result was never really in doubt with an unbroken partnership of 130 between Bicknell (77*) and Jim Clayfield (59*) sealing victory.

There could be as many three teams being relegated from divisions this year, depending on who goes down from the Premier League so there was welcome success for Balderton, Gedling Colliery and Hyson Green.

Balderton had to chase leather for a while at Unity with Gurpej Landa (94) and Dominic Terkowski (78*) starring in a total of 252. Tim Clipsham (41) and Dominic Wiffin (29) batted well early doors in the reply, and together with some indifferent bowling and fielding, Balderton required 70 off the final ten overs. Chris Dobbie (52*) and 18 year old Josh Tranter (58*) both recorded their first fifties of the season and it was Dobbie that hit the six in the final over to secure victory.

Gedling Colliery put doomed Gedling and Sherwood to the sword again at Mapperley Top. Sixteen year old Callum McKenzie (123) recorded a fabulous maiden first team century and with Duncan McKeown (53) also in the runs the home side had the luxury of declaring on 269. South African Dereck Bamber (70) is batting well at present, trouble is no one is following his lead and Sherwood, who again could only field ten players closed on 165 with Connor Scott and Dan Mather taking three wickets apiece for Colliery.

For Hyson Green, in form Ikram Ul Haq and Andrew Jackman, who has joined the club from Unity, both recorded fifties for Hyson Green at home to Southwell for whom David Rimmer (6 for 65) excelled again. Chasing 221 for victory, young Sam Johnson hit 67 but Southwell were held back by a superb 16 over spell from Liaquat Ali (3 for 42) and finished way off the pace on 124 for 7.

Division B leaders Ellerslie were without a game so Plumtree II closed the gap ever so slightly with a winning draw at home To Eastwood. The hosts recovered well from 14 for 3 to post 240 thanks to a fourth wicket partnership between Ben Marvin (91) and Alamgir Khan (66), for Eastwood, Josh Buckley (6 for 72) continued his astonishing run of from since rejoining the club. Steven Leese (45) made runs in the top order but no one else really followed suit and it was left to the tail of Ryan Elliott (39*) and Luke Elderkin to hold on at the end on 205 for 8. Four wickets for Alex Sheriston makes him the leagues highest wicket taker on 38.   

Clifton Village lie right behind in third as they took advantage of another poor performance from Hucknall at the New Gatehouse. The home side made 196 with Scott Harris (38) and Robin Maxwell (35) making useful knocks. Free scoring Clifton were 37 for 3 at one stage but run a ball innings from Dan Mierkalns (49) and Anthony Hart (54*) saw the winners home in just the 28^th over.

There is still hope for Calverton who moved to within 26 points of safety with a win at Radcliffe II. The home side had a strong batting line up and had Ian Noblet (62), Will Torr (43) and Richard Fentum (39) all contributing in a total of 215. This soon proved to be in vain though after a opening stand of 169 between ex Plumtree man Darren Wright (92) and skipper Scott Andrew (78) saw Calverton on the way to maximum points.

Kirkby Portland’s recent slump hit a new low with a losing draw at home to local rivals Newstead Village. The visitors posted their highest total of the season, 260, thanks to 80 from James Easom, 31 from James Radford and 30 from Danny Greenhalgh. After tea, Kirkby were pinned back by Andy Paulson (4 for 39) whose tally of wickets is now 16 in three games and ended on 187 for 8.

The match of the day in C was a damp squib with a third successive defeat for Gedling Colliery II seeing them slip from first to fourth in July. Gedling could only manage 114 at leaders West Bridgfordians with Oliver Straw (3 for 19) and Aiden Bell (3 for 7) doing most of the damage. After losing Jon Sheard for a duck, the winners had Henry Straw (53*) and Andrew Sharpe (52*) completing a nine wicket hammering.

Collingham stay in the promotion hunt with David Pipes (65* and 5 for 38) the star in his teams five wicket win at Attenborough II (162) who need to win a couple of games for them to be safe.

Wilsons are third after halting Kimberley II’s decent run. Kimberley (159) had got to 98 for 3 with Paul Rockley (36) again the runs. However, a familiar collapse followed with Nadeem Ghani (4 for 15) and Iftikhar Ahmed (3 for 40) ripping through the middle and lower order. Kimberley recovered well to restrict Wilsons to 51 for 4 at one stage, with Danny Williams grabbing a couple of early successes. However, that was as good as it got for the hosts with Nabil Syed (80*) and Ahmed (44*) sharing a match winning partnership.

Mid table Keyworth had Ian Graham back to his pulverising best, the ex Minor Counties star smashed 114 in 76 balls, including 14 fours and 4 sixes in a total of 290 at home to Wollaton II. Despite the best efforts of the long serving Steve Rendu (6 for 42) after the interval, Wollaton just managed to hold on for a losing draw at 148 for 8.

Hope springs eternal for bottom club Long Whatton who successfully defended 141 at home to Bottesford thanks to Mark Lester (5 for 19), George Scottorn (2 for 3) and Jack Foster (2 for 17).

Incredibly, after beating promotion rivals, Risley, Thurgarton and Hoveringham in July, Thrumpton (128) slipped up at mid table Southwell II in D, falling to third as a result.

 Thurgarton are the new leaders although they had an early scare with the score on 2 for 2 at one stage. It was all one way after that though with a first century for the club for the much travelled Tony Fawcett. Sixteen year old Freddie Sail also impressed with a hard hitting 78 as did Ed Mordaunt (42) before being ran out by Fawcett for the second successive game. Thurgarton finished on 274 and Bramcote (124) got nowhere near with Dutton, Hart, Kirkham and Bloomfield all grabbing two wickets apiece.

Hoveringham move into second and in doing so put a huge dent in the promotion aspirations of Risley. Marc Addison (54) carried on his hugely successful season but that was about it for Risley in a below par 156 with ex Caythorpe man Paul Reddington (5 for 39) the pick of the Hoveringham bowlers. Skipper Ben Lee had a rare fail after tea but the consistent Shaun Polley (67*) and Richard Coleman (52) cruised past the total with eleven overs to spare.

At the other end of the scale, Fiskerton had Paul Todd (74) making his first contribution since his mid season move from Collingham. Chasing 242 for victory, fellow strugglers Newark had Steve Kennewell making a brilliant 97 but the visitors were agonisingly all out three runs short with young Dan Collington (4 for 24) keeping a cool head to take the final wicket with fourteen balls remaining, Todd himself taking the vital catch.

There is no change in E with all the top five winning. Leaders West Bridgfordians II were ruthless, completing their run chase in 23 overs at Underwood (114) thanks to a fifty from Chris Spragg. Nuthall were just as convincing at Eastwood II (102) as were Hucknall at Stanton By Dale (131) where four wickets for Graeme Lake took his tally to 36 for the season.

Second placed Farndon were made to fight all the way with Kirkby Portland II falling just shy of the 184 target. Earlier in the day, Adam Tait (6 for 47) had shone with the ball for the losers.

In the merry go round that is Division F, previous leaders Kinoulton (80) came a cropper at East Leake for whom Andrew Elkington (4 for 14) and Norman Guerin (3 for 3) shared the plaudits. This paved the way for Wymeswold to return to the top following a five wicket win at Calverton (118). For the winners, Rob Pitman (68*) and Olly Plummer (4 for 30) had good days.

Going into the final over, Chilwell looked favourite to surpass the 222 set by Epperstone and needing just a four for victory.  However, Mansoor Ahmed was run out and on the fourth ball Richard Stanton took the final wicket of Alex Mowarth to secure a thrilling one run success.

Top played bottom in G and Jake Hutchinson of Bottesford hit a brilliant 119 in a total of 206. This proved no bother for Beeston Sycamore though as 85 from Andy Burrell and 57 from Rob Darby secured a twelfth straight win.

It looks like Burton and Joyce and Ravenshead will fight it out for the remaining promotion slot. Burton Joyce ran out comfortable 117 run winners at Snibston Grange (106) thanks to Kris Seymour (79) and Darren Smith (4 for 28) whilst 92 from Andrew Tadd and 68 from Peter Smith saw Ravenshead comfortably overhaul the 191 target set by Gedling and Sherwood II.

 The top two met in H and in an entertaining clash, Sutton Bonington (246) nudged home by 13 runs at Flintham. The result was harsh on the in form Matt Lyas who fired 104. Collingham II wasted no time at Basford Hall OB, needing just 14 overs to get the miserly 80 set by the bottom club.

A twenty point haul for Rolls Royce II in J next Saturday will see the first promotion issue settled. The Hucknall side have claimed an impressive 212 points out of a possible 220 and on Saturday they had Alan Pearson (39 and 3 for 17) starring in their six wicket win at mid table Lambley (149).

It was a red letter day for 16 year old Andrew Rose of Caunton who struck his maiden century in his teams 285. In reply, run machine Richard Drury also fired a hundred but Keyworth II fell way short on 211.

It’s as you were in K with comfortable wins for the top two of Thrumpton II and Wilsons II to leave them first and second respectively. For Wilsons, five more wickets for Atiq Ul Rehman saw him pass the thirty wicket mark.

Bingham lie in third after 14 year old Tom Spencer top scored with 61 in their 220 run hammering of bottom club Caythorpe IV (65).

After managing just 33 a fortnight ago, Stapleford turned the form book on its head by beating Division L leaders Radcliffe III. Stapleford fared much better with the bat than of late making 190 then had Gary Dawson claiming three wickets as the losers fell 53 runs short. Plumtree III closed the gap at the top after making light work of ten men Broad Street (84).

Young Lions and Gedling Colliery III continue to dominate matters in M, Colliery bowled out strugglers Breaston for just 67 with Des O’ Grady (6 for 12) claiming the honours.

It is tight at the top in N with Belvoir III and Ruddington II scraping victories. Belvoir had a last wicket partnership of 36 between Robbie McNeish and Paul Gadd to thank for a win at Whatton and Aslockton II (153) whilst Ruddington slumped from 100 for 2 before finally crawling over the line with two wickets intact at Hoveringham II (132).

Madni  gained seventeen points from a walkover at the top in P, however second placed Kimberley IV will be kicking themselves after losing at Kirkby Portland III. Chasing just 98 to win, Kimberley fell away to 78 all out with Chris Fletcher taking 6 for 47 and Tom Crossland four wickets in two overs without conceding a run.

Finally in R, Poplars remain on track for a rare promotion success with Vinay Bendigiri (35 and 5 for 14) again prominent in the teams 79 run win at Thrumpton III (90).

Gunn and Moore South Notts Cricket League Report Saturday 17 July 2010

By Phil Johnson

Next weeks game between Plumtree and Rolls Royce takes on even greater precedence after the Hucknall club displaced Plumtree at the top in Division A.

If Plumtree don’t make a swift return to the Premier League they will look back on Saturdays game at Unity with more than a twinge of regret at what might have been. Once again Unity’s top order misfired and at one stage the home side were floundering on 39 for 6 with Scott Bailey (4 for 32) and Matt Milnes (2 for 44) making the early inroads.

However, Unity still had Indian Samrat Sharma at the crease and he found the perfect ally in skipper Usman Mussafer (29) and the pair forged a century partnership. Sharma recorded his second hundred of the season as Unity still finished on a below par 173, but it was probably 70 or so more than they could have hoped for at one stage.

Plumtree, missing the influential Thompson and Gamble, had reached 56 for 2 in reply, then Husnain Riaz (3 for 23) entered the fray and together with Mussafer (3 for 41) and Ben Savage (2 for 25) the trio ripped through the batting to leave the losers all out on 114.

Hucknall Rolls had new signing Hasitna Da Silva impressing with 55 at Long Eaton. Saleem Karim (24), brother Rahim (21) and Gordon Pearson who clubbed two colossal sixes all chipped in to a final score of 203. The strugglers battled away in reply and had Brett Scothern (35) and Alan Villiers (29) making decent starts but they lacked the big innings to win the game and were 34 runs short going into the final over. Rolls desperately needed the outright victory and in a niggly game, Rahim Karim trapped Mark Simnett leg before with his second delivery and bowled Craig Mellors with the penultimate ball to send Rolls top.

With Hyson Green having their home game with Belvoir falling victim to the week’s rain it gave fellow strugglers Southwell and Gedling Colliery an opportunity to claw themselves away from the relegation zone. Both teams managed to do this, albeit with varying degrees of difficulty.

Gedling travelled to Jekyll and Hyde Balderton and had Dan Mather (3 for 13) and Baz Bailey (3 for 23) in the wickets as Balderton, Tim Clipsham (31) excluded, put up little resistance, succumbing to 113 all out.  After tea, Graham Burton (33) ensured there were few alarms in the reply with the visitors running out winners by six wickets.

Doomed Gedling and Sherwood (97) put up no fight with the bat as veteran Steve Wright exploited the conditions superbly to pick up eight wickets. Southwell made a mess of the reply with Dereck Bamber (5 for 36) showing some form and at 69 for 7, Gedling looked poised for an unlikely first win. However, the cool head of skipper Dave Rimmer (17*) together with George Bowie saw the home side through to a vital win.

Leaders Ellerslie kept a tight rein on things early doors in their home game with Hucknall in B with the visitors crawling to 40 for 2 at the half way stage. A partnership between Rob Stewart (63) and Richard Greatorex (55) gave the score some respectability but a late collapse saw Hucknall dismissed for 158 which is well below par on the tiny ground. For Ellerslie, Jurgen Charlesworth (6 for 24) and Tariq Mahmood (2 for 40) now both have in excess of thirty wickets to their name. It looked an easy chase on paper but Ellerslie were 120 for 7 at one stage before Simon George (31*) and that man Charlesworth saw the table toppers home.

The second teams of Plumtree and Clifton Village stay second and third respectively after both recorded resounding victories.  Plumtree had Justin Stockdale (75) and Chris Mortimer (60) recording half centuries as they piled on the misery at home to Calverton who could only manage 146 in reply to 265. For the winners, Alex Sheriston picked up a second consecutive five wicket haul.

Clifton racked up another daunting total, 276 with Sam Jones firing a run a ball 118, the only bright spot for visitors Kirkby Portland was the performance of 15 year old Connor Fleming (3 for 56) with the ball. Shell shocked Kirkby took only 22 overs to capitulate with Ian Hardy (5 for 34) and Luke Jones (4 for 18) bowling the visitors out for a miserly 53.

Keep an eye on Eastwood in fourth which at present would be good enough for promotion. Neil Gregory again top scored with 34 out of 167 at home to Radcliffe II. The fast fading visitors had Michael Bratt (40) fighting a losing battle after tea. The next highest scorer was a pathetic 4 as teenagers Luke Elderkin (6 for 15) and Josh Buckley (3 for 27) wreaked havoc in a 96 run success.

Newstead Village struggled as usual at Gotham before a last wicket partnership of 42 between Chris Cook (28*) and Rob Casterton (15*) gave them some hope to finish on 162. For Gotham. Ed Neville (4 for 28) and Paul Blatherwick (3 for 36) impressed with the ball. After the interval, Alex Haworth showed that cricket is a great leveller, collecting a duck after successive centuries but knocks from Kevin Perrell (60) and Gary Kerslake (34) saw the home side comfortably in command at 120 for 3. However, Andy Paulson collected five wickets to go with his seven a fortnight ago and it took  Richard Pitt and Neville to edge Gotham home in the penultimate over by two wickets.

Gedling Colliery II were knocked off their perch in C following another poor bowling performance at home to new leaders West Bridgfordians. The home made 211 with 14 year old starlet Rhys Hayes (69) again impressing, however fifties from Andrew Sharp, Jon Sheard and Henry Straw saw the visitors stroll to victory.

Previously second Wilsons (141) blew their chance of taking over after failing to chase 153 at home to Keyworth who had club stalwarts Steve Rendu (3 for 24) and Rob Baker (3 for 31) in the wickets, this was despite a fifty from Doud Ali.

Collingham kept the pressure on at the top after hammering Bottesford who now slip into the relegation spots following a 130 run defeat. For the winners, all rounder Harry Shepherd fired his first senior fifty whilst Kiwi Karl Tew (4 for 31) and David Pipes (3 for 33) were in form with the ball.

After a disastrous first half of the season, Kimberley II have shown a marked improvement and on Saturday they recorded their fourth win in six games which includes a fabulous Popkess Cup win over Premier League hopefuls Belvoir. Visitors Long Whatton (84), who agonisingly lost to promotion chasing Wilsons the previous week put up no resistance as Ian Wright (5 for 7) recorded his best figures since joining the club. Paul Rockley (39) and Andy Layton (35*) then ensured Kimberley move out the relegation places.   

Attenborough II (127) will be looking nervously over their shoulders after occasional bowler Andy Crossley added four wickets to his 33 in a 47 run success.

In the big game at the top in D, Thrumpton (233) had too many aces up their sleeve for Thurgarton (145). For the winners, Rajiv Govindarajan (60) and new signing from Hucknall Rolls Arslan Shah (43) starred with the bat.

After a couple of setbacks Hoveringham got back to winning ways at struggling Willoughby (201). Ben Boot, who is enjoying a fine season with the bat made 60 for the losers whilst Peter Kay fired an unbeaten 56. Willoughby did some hard work by moving the dangerous Lee (1) and Walton (0) however a century from Shaun Polley  saw him pass the five hundred mark, the winning runs coming with ten overs to spare.

There was a thriller at Bramcote with Marc Addison continued his superb season for Risley with an unbeaten 112 out of 199. The game ebbed and flowed after the break with ten required off the final over. Nine were scored off the first five but then Chris Green was run out off the final delivery leaving the match tied. For Bramcote, Kenny Dhariwal (45) and Chris Parkes (48) were the chief run contributors.

There is no change at the top in E where James Belshaw and Chris Spragg both hit 117 for West Bridgfordians II in a mammoth 334 at home to ten men Stanton By Dale who could only muster 110 in reply.

Second placed Farndon were 39 for 6 at one stage at home to Eastwood II after James Longden had ripped through the top order. However the situation didn’t seem to bother Andrew Duckmanton who blasted five fours and four sixes in a quick fire 58. The home side still only managed 110, yet that was plenty for Eastwood who fell to 57 all out with Mark Everington and Nick Lam taking three wickets apiece.

There were wins for promotion chasing Nuthall and Ellerslie II whilst five wickets for Steve Wilson of Caythorpe III (187) gave the team hope of avoiding the drop with a win at fellow strugglers Kirkby Portland II (84).

There were runs aplenty for Tom Richards of table topping Kinoulton (250)in F. The opener fired 142 in 114 balls at home to East Leake (163), however he had a lucky escape on nought with the ball hitting the stumps but failing to dislodge the bail.

Wymeswold and Calverton II change places in second place with a defeat for the former whilst after seven successive defeats, five wickets for Ian Burrows of Epperstone (167) ensured a 27 run win at Whatton and Aslockton (140).

It’s looking all over for the title bar the shouting in G with Beeston Sycamore now 57 points clear. Saturday saw Dave Hoon fall five runs shy of a century in the teams 60 run win at home to Gotham II.

Ravenshead climb back up to second, despite managing only 100 at home to promotion rivals Burton Joyce. After tea, five wickets for Alistair Fearn together with five catches for Luke Stephenson ensured an eight run success.

In the battle at the bottom, despite a brilliant performance from Adam Wainwright (64 & 5 for 26) his Snibston Grange team fell to a 36 run defeat at Lowdham (134).

There were defeats for the top two in H, Sutton Bonington (144) slipped up at Lenton Abbey (159) whilst Collingham II were unlucky in the extreme after Hyson Green’s first team game was called off meaning that the seconds were strengthened by Monty Douglas (74), Ikram Ul Haq (64) and Nishan Morathota (52).

Things look bleak for Basford Hall at the foot who could only muster  9 men and 46 runs at home to Bramcote II for whom Pater Bacon grabbed five wickets.

Hucknall Rolls II stand an impressive 59 points clear in J with brothers Alan (37*) and Kevin Pearson (4 for 27) the main men in their four wicket win at home to Cotgrave (136).

Elsewhere in J, in form Ariz Rasul fired 105 in Ruddington’s 58 run win at Keyworth II (194) for whom Ted Elliott (89) battled in vain. Attenborough II also stay right in the promotion hunt following a final ball victory at home to Kimberley III.

It’s as you were in K with a straight forward six wicket win for Thrumpton II at Shepshed (126). Wilsons II stay close behind with a further six wickets for Atul Ul Rehman at Risley II (56).

Radcliffe III march on in L with Chris Owen – Jones’  spell of 6 for 9 from 10 overs the catalyst of their 41 run win over Willoughby II (126). Underwood have developed a mean streak bowling out Stapleford for 36 last week and following that up with a demolition of Broad Street (40) thanks to three wickets each from Matt Thorley and Mark Holmes.  Fellow promotion chasers Belton were just as brutal taking just 8 overs to overhaul the paltry 60 set by bottom club Thurgarton II, this was after Tom Orrill and Steve Hands had grabbed four wickets each.

Young Lions and Gedling Colliery III are way out in front in M and look certainties for honours in a few weeks. Gedling ripped apart 8 men Chilwell II (42) whilst Young Lions had the Landa brothers, Gurj and Mantek firing fifties in their 135 run thrashing f Newark II. Elsewhere in M, Aston Smith of West Brigfordians IV had the impressive figures of five wickets for two runs in ten overs in his sides hammering of Breaston (57).

Leaders Ellerslie III in N enjoyed a comfortable afternoon with Tom Shields and Jeremy Culley each snaffling four victims in a eight wicket win at Snibston Grange II (50). However Madni’s proud unbeaten record in P finally went as West Bridgford Legion II successfully defended 102 thanks to three wickets apiece for Steve Hopkinson Mick Woolliscroft and John Walters.

Finally, in R, Chris “Blocker” Brown rolled back the years for leaders Gedling Colliery IV, firing 80 as his side cruised to a six wicket win at Long Eaton III (144).