South Nottinghamshire Cricket League

The champagne could finally be opened at Radcliffe on Trent with a richly deserved Division A title and promotion to the Premiership.

Just like their predecessors Attenborough, Radcliffe’s success has been built around a strong team ethic with each and every player doing their bit over the course of the season. Saturday’s innings highlight against Long Eaton was a second wicket partnership of 104 between Marc Ellison (77) and Rob Sutton (44). From 137 for 1 the innings faded somewhat to 194 for 9 with only Richard Fentum (26) achieving double figures in the middle and late order. Credit to the home sides change bowlers of Leon Botha (3 for 58) and Tim Ainsworth (3 for 34) for restricting the champions elect.

There was no way back for Long Eaton after slumping to 45 for 4 with Taylor, Scothern and Botha all back in the pavilion. Three of those wickets fell to Simon Hopson who began the season as second team captain but is another player that has more than contributed to the success. Mark Harrison (48) again showed some resistance but it was never going to be enough and the home side had to hold on for a losing draw on 129 for 8.

The title was confirmed with news of a defeat for nearest rivals Notts Unity Casuals at fourth placed Southwell who were unrecognisable from the team that folded over at Radcliffe the previous week.

Unity posted 215 thanks to Simon Neal (87), Wasim Rana (33) and runs in the middle order from skipper Usman Mussafer (41). Southwell’s reply was centred around 17 year old Matthew Wookey who did his hopes of a permanent top order slot a power of good with 77 quality runs. Support was given by Patrick Whelan (48) and Chris Miller (38) and when a clutch of wickets fell at the death it was left to another teenager, George Bacon (23*) to steer the winners home in the final over.

The remainder of the action in A was centred around the relegation places and it is goodbye to Calverton who will play in Division B for the first time since 2002. Gedling and Sherwood’s Samrat Sharma has hit top form at the right time, adding a century to the double hundred that he hit against the same opposition in 2006. Sharma had valuable support from the unorthodox Jerry Cruise (72) as the winners posted a formidable 259. For the losers there was an impressive display from 15 year old Brinsley Kirkham (6 for 64).

Alex Norton of Gedling and Sherwood has certainly enjoyed an interesting season. The original captain resigned from his post after just one game due to injury but has been cajoled into playing again at the business end of the season. His six wicket haul on Saturday meant that it was the correct decision as despite a battling 75 from Callum Jayes, Calverton fell short on 203.

Gedling Colliery slipped into the bottom two after a bad day at the office at home to Bicknelless Belvoir who have surprised a few teams this season with their improvement. Colliery could only manage 117 with Lee Fazackerley picking up his second successive five wicket haul. That total caused no problems for the winners with Jack Copley striking 55 and Tom Neville 39 not out.

Balderton are almost safe after a good bowling display saw off Eastwood who will be nervously looking over their shoulders after a poor run of form. Balderton scored a below par 159 with young Jack Beckett top scoring with 31. Balderton’s Ishan Ratnayake has endured a frustrating season, but he saved his dynamic best for Eastwood with another five wicket haul. Tim Clipsham chipped in with a couple of victims as the losers fell 31 runs short on 128.

Hyson Green Caribs are almost home and dry in B after a powerful display over fast fading Newstead Village. Caribs batting was a real team affair with Zahid Iqbal (61), Mahmood Ali (40), Zak Hussain (39) and Kaisar Altaf (38) all in the runs in a final total of 237. Poor Newstead had no answer to the leagues outstanding bowler Liaquat Ali (4 for 20). Ex Cavalier Monty Douglas weighed in with three scalps as the losers came a distant second on 82.

The race is on for the remaining promotion slot with third place possibly being good enough due to Loughborough leaving for the Leicestershire League. It’s nervy times for Gotham who have slipped to third following two successive defeats. They had a disastrous start on Saturday with two run outs in the first over before Kiwi Misty Jones Middleton took centre stage with a fabulous 130. However 222 is only par score on Loughborough, and despite being 70 for 3 in the reply, the home team ran out comfortable winners thanks to a second century of the season for John Harrison (116*) and an unbeaten 67 from Shane Litchfield who was batting against his former club.

Keep your eyes on Rolls Royce though who have won eight out of their last nine games and brushed aside Clifton Village II on Saturday. Knocks of 41 from Luke Gunn and 34 from Richard Harrison had put Clifton in a decent position at 117 for 3. However, the last seven wickets fell for just 8 runs to Wasim Karim (3 for 12) and Graeme Wright (4 for 7) who was enjoying a rare spell. Rolls’ batting has finally become more consistent and the total was knocked off in just 23 overs thanks to Rahim Karim (60) and Wright (26). The only sour point of the day was an injury to skipper Jason Gorman which may cause him to miss the remaining two games. The win was a fitting tribute to club stalwart and umpire Steve Bagnall who died suddenly in the week.

Down at the bottom and Kimberley II’s stay in B is over after a three year stint as they snatched a tie from the jaws of victory at Keyworth. Once again it was a poor display with the bat from Kimberley with only young Ben Barsby (31) impressing in a final score of 136. However there followed a fine display in the field at first with three wickets apiece from Jordon Lee and veteran Craig Pitts restricting Keyworth to 80 for 8 at one stage. It looked all over bar the shouting, but Dave Strong (37*) and Dave Hiller (16*) had other ideas. Even so twelve off the final over looked a tall order, however a six from Dave Strong and a scampered two from Hiller off the final delivery tied the scores.

In the division’s other game, a superb 130 from Husnain Riaz saw Ellerslie to victory in a high scoring game at Hucknall (238). This was despite the efforts of Shaun Cauldwell (67) and Jamie Braybrook (5 for 72).

In C, Kirkby Portland return to the top without bowling a ball in anger following a heavy defeat for Collingham (170) at Plumtree II. The winners could even have a chance of promotion themselves as runs for Paul White (75) and the in form Steve James (72*) ensured they cruised to a nine wicket win.

West Bridgfiordians are locked in joint second with Collingham following a hard fought victory at home to struggling Hickling. The winners only managed 135 and things looked ropey as Wayne Daniell scored 43 out of the visitors first 54. However, once the Australian had been dismissed the remainder had no answer to the pace of Kushal Shah (4 for 26) and the experience of Dave Terrill (4 for 10), the losers collapsing to 101.

It was a third defeat in a row for leaders Gedling Colliery II in D, this time to Long Whatton, however Fiskerton and Wilsons failed to take advantage. Fiskerton knocked up 210 at home to Thurgarton and then removed Colin Cliff cheaply. However, they then looked on in astonishment as a woeful bowling effort saw Mick Sewell (104*) and Adam Bloomfield (70*) get to the target in just 34 overs.

Wilsons looked favourites for victory with Willoughby 100 for 5 chasing 185 but Gulzareen Chaudry (65*) and Ben Boot (41*) had other ideas.

After leading from the front for so long, Hoveringham lost top spot to Thrumpton (229) in E with the latter being victorious by 66 runs thanks to Tom Rye (89) and Mohammed Aleem (5 for 31). Elsewhere in E, Hucknall II still have an outside chance of promotion following a comfortable seven wicket win at Kinoulton (138) with Steve Fearn and Max Thompson both racking up centuries. For Kinoulton it was a step too far this season ending in relegation with the team badly missing the influential Steve Harling.

Ellerslie II are almost there in the promotion race from F following an eight wicket win at home to nine man Oxton (128). For the winners, Alan Lewis fired an unbeaten 55 and Sarmad Masud took 5 for 22 whilst there was five catches for keeper Danny Hammond.

It’s all to play for in second place with Kirkby Portland II (134) edging ever closer to Eastwood Town II after defeating them by four wickets thanks to four and three wickets apiece for Dan Seven and Geoff Jones. The other highlight in F was a hat trick for Ryan Cuthbert of Long Eaton II, and at one stage he had an outstanding 5 wickets from 5 balls with two carried over from the last game.

Congratluations go to Whatton and Aslockton who are promoted from G after a ten wicket hammering of Ravenshead (56). For the winners, who will surely become champions, Alex White’s five wicket haul means he needs just five more victims from three games to break the 50 wicket target which would be a phenomenal achievement.

Beeston and Toton Sycamore look favourites to join Whatton in the honours but Gedling and Sherwood haven’t given up with new signing Nick de Villiers (65*) enjoying a perfect debut in their seven wicket win at home to West Bridgford Legion (146).

Burton Joyce edged closer to promotion in H after a nerve jangling one wicket win at home to Hyson Green II. Chasing just 98 the winners struggled against Shazal Sharran (5 for 13) but Burton had their hero in Gavin Bagguley. The opener had to retire hurt but bravely came back in with nine wickets down to ensure Ken Scholey had a partner for victory.

Elsewhere in J, Edingley’s batting crashed again at promotion hopefuls West Bridgfordians III (165). The losers, who made just 41 last week, surpassed that with 26 on Saturday. Five people recorded ducks and five managed just a single as Pete Jordan (5 for 11) and Muhamma Khan (5 for 13) created havoc.

In J, leaders Sutton Bonnington cruised past relegated Bingham (73) thanks in the main to a five wicket haul from Ian Stone. Second placed Lenton Abbey got back to winning ways with Sam Lloyd firing a century in a 125 run thrashing of Lambley (86).

Kimberley III suffered a defeat in K and had their lead reduced somewhat as Ruddington (210) climbed into second following an easy win at Risley II (118). For the winners, Mohammed Yasuf (4 for 18) and Aziz Waqas (3 for 18) impressed with the ball.

It’s as you were in L with wins for newly promoted Thrumpton II and 2nd place Balderton II, the latter having Sam Ross and Paul Lambert both striking fifties in their victory over Long Whatton II (149).

Surprisingly the top three in M were all defeated. Second place Broad Street OB lost at home to Stanton by Dale II who had Imran Patel firing 85 out of a winning 182. Patel then got to work with the ball, taking an astonishing seven wickets in 21 deliveries.

Young Lions are promoted in N with Badwa Digwa and Ravi Singh Digwa taking three wickets apiece in an eight wicket win at Ellerslie III (67). It was another good day for Louisa Hayes of Wymeswold II whose four wicket haul went some way to securing a vital win at Newstead Village III (71).

In P there were two fine performances for the struggling Beeston and Toton Sycamore III and Kimberley IV. Firstly, six wickets for Ian Day ensured leaders Hoveringham II crashed to 34 all out and a shock reversal at Beeston whilst Kimberley’s captain Marcus Beale (88*) led by example as they squeezed to a one wicket win at second place Belvoir III (170).

Finally, well done to David Thompson of Poplars who demolished Kinoulton II (96) with a brilliant spell of 8 for 27, a career best. For good measure, Thompson struck an unbeaten 31 in his teams successful reply.