South Nottinghamshire Cricket League

There are new leaders in Division A as Calverton were the latest team to fall victim to Balderton, the surprise package of the season so far. Three wickets apiece for Chris Dobbie and Ishan Ratnayake ensured that Calverton collapsed from 95 for 4 to 117 all out. Thirty more runs and it would have been interesting though  as Balderton made it home with just three wickets remaining, Tim Clipsham’s 42 ensuring that he continues his record of top scoring in each game to date.

Plumtree (231 for 8) climb to the summit after a 47 run win over Ellerslie who now occupy one of the relegation places, Mahmood Ali (7 for 43) returning the divisions best figures. At Eastwood there was a long awaited first appearance for Newstead Village’s first overseas player Tariq Mahmood, however it was fellow Asian Seyd Hammed who stole the show for Eastwood with six wickets as the visitors fell 64 runs short of the 159 target set. The win moves Eastwood out the bottom two and hopes are high their overseas player will arrive in time for next Saturday.

A more successful debut was that of Faisalabad star Asad Ali of Southwell whose four wickets contributed to Attenborough’s downfall. There was the usual obligatory fine spells too from Stephen Wright (3 for 18) and David Rimmer (3 for 21) and  the winners passed  the 93 target set for the loss of five wickets. Attenborough seem to be sliding down the table at an alarming rate. Its now three wins on the bounce for Long Eaton who move into second, Tim Taylor (68) and Umar Hassan (6 for 34) being the chief contributors in their six wicket win at Radcliffe on Trent (190 for 9).

Keyworth (210 for 9) remain top in B after winning at Gotham (154) although the home side were in the game until the final quarter. Keyworth got off to a bright start thanks to Australian Grant Parker (53) and Chris Ladd (25), however the change bowlers of Brett James (2 for 32) and Simon North (2 for 17) turned the innings in Gotham’s favour at 110 for 5. The number 4 Geoff Tindsley (36) dropped anchor and some late hitting from Stuart Meek (30), who was dropped four times in ten balls, Rob Baker and Steve Rendu enabled the home side to post a challenging 210.

 In reply, Gotham were well in with a shout at the half way stage thanks to a captains innings from Kevin Perrell (57) and 39 from 17 year old Matthew Hogg. However the introduction of slow left armer Rob Baker into the attack changed the course of the game. Both Perrell and Hogg fell to Baker who ended with 5 for 26, and the rest of the side offered little resistance as Meek (2 for 56) assisted in wiping up the tail.

Rolls Royce Leisure return to the promotion places, replacing Bottesford (131) following a comfortable six wicket victory, the Pearson’s, Gordon (66*) and Kevin (4 for 41) playing a pivotal role in the success. Gedling and Sherwood bounced back to form with an eight wicket thrashing of an inconsistent  Kimberley II side, occasional bowler Jerry Cruise the chief perpetrator with four wickets. The visitors managed only 102 and will now be nervously looking over their shoulder at the wrong end of the table.  

The game of the day between the top two Division C tuned out to be a disappointing affair as Clifton Village II (276 for 9) had too much in the tank for Long Whatton (176 for 7). Hickling take Long Whatton’s place in runners up following a thrilling one wicket success at home to Belvoir (184 for 9), the last pair of Peter Playle and Charles Hogg putting on the ten runs required for victory, earlier in the innings skipper Ian Fisher had struck a superb 108.

The game between Plumtree II (186 for 8) and Bramcote went to the final delivery where a run out meant that Bramcote failed to grab the single run required for victory. Elsewhere Attenborough II’s woeful start to the season continued as four wickets from Nottingham’s Irfan Mahmood and three for skipper Darren Shaw enabled the winners to bowl out the bottom club for just 100.

Fiskerton have now gone clear at the top in Division D following a four wicket success at Wilsons (162) who are struggling to live up to last season’s form where they missed out on a promotion place on the final day. Radcliffe on Trent II stay second but lose ground on the leaders following a 56 run defeat at third placed Thurgarton (230 for 7), Colin Cliff (95) top scoring.

The league’s outstanding individual performance came from Imran Shahid of Lady Bay boots whose 8 for 31 helped his side to a three wicket win at home to Newark (153). Another close game ended in Stanton by Dale (207 for 8) edging out Thrumpton by two runs, Stanton climb to fourth. Something had to give as the two winless sides met at Willoughby, and it was the home side that came out on top, thrashing Calverton (118) by 134 runs thanks to an unbeaten 102 from Mark Lindley.

Risley increase their lead at the helm in E, and it was the turn of their batters to shine as 82 from Matt Shaw and 75 from Mark Addison helped them post an insurmountable 277 for 5 at home to Southwell II. The shock in the division came at Long Eaton II where the struggling home side hammered second place Wollaton II (106) by six wickets, Mark Simnett, making a rare appearance taking 5 for 24 for the winning side. Collingham II’s miserable run continues, managing just 55 in reply to Nuthall’s 167 with Richard Marsh, more renowned for his batting, helping himself to a five wicket haul.   

Graham Burton of Gedling Colliery II has experienced some bad luck in the past fortnight. On Saturday he followed the previous weeks 99 with 49, the consolation being that his contribution enabled his side to stay top in Division F. The chasing pack all were victorious though as a gap begins to appear between the top four and the remaining sides. Eastwood II remain in second after Tom Buckley’s five wickets dismissed Wymeswold for 74 whilst Unity Casuals II won their fourth successive game, skipper Mark Taylor (62) leading the way in their 57 run win at bottom club Ravenshead (172).

Its played five won five for Hoveringham in G as they disposed of third place Lowdham (155) by five wickets thanks to six wickets from veteran David Campbell. Chilwell stay hot on their heels though as there were more wickets for the in form Ali Mohammed (3 for 25) and Matt Murfin (3 for 40) in their 44 run victory at home to Beeston Sycamore (144). Elsewhere, an unbroken last wicket stand of 61 was the highlight of Kinoulton’s total of 226, 16 year old Chris Meek earning the plaudits with an unbeaten 75. The partnership was to prove unnecessary though as visitors Gotham II were shot out for 55, Steve Fox, Andrew Wilcox and Shaun Campbell all taking three wickets apiece.

Oxton show no signs of faltering at the top in H following a comfortable 85 run success at Loughborough Carillon II (140), Simon Widdison and Chris Berry, both recording fifties for the winners. The headlines though went to Adie Severn of Kirkby Portland II whose five wicket haul meant that his tally to date rises to 23 wickets in five games. Kirkby beat East Leake who themselves had been in good form to stay second. Tom Russell of Cotgrave enjoyed a memorable day, carrying his bat for 73 and then grabbing three wickets as his team thrashed Elks II (93) by 125 runs.

In J there was a return to form for Newstead Village II (157) who beat winless Caunton (115). Stapleford won their second game in succession against fellow strugglers Bestwood Village (121), Gary Dawson’s four wicket haul assisting in a 23 run success.

Burton Joyce take over the leadership in Division K shooting out struggling Risley II for 53, West Bridgfordians II slipped to a surprising defeat at Belvoir II , Olly Clayfield keeping the family name going at the club with 59 as his side successfully chased down the previous leaders 157 target. Wins too for Attenborough III and Bingham who move to fourth and fifth respectively.

Woodborough stay at the summit in L after bowling out Kimberley III for 72. Kimberley who were top at one stage have now lost their last three and their total included 22 from last man Richard Straw as ex Newstead man Matt Lane (6 for 33) caused havoc. Willoughby II remain in touch though as the Johnson’s of Gareth (43*) and Brian (4 for 43) played a major part in their five wicket success at Newark II. Clifton Village III collapsed from 158 for 0 to 202 all out as all the early work done by Craig Fairhall (86) and Andy Doulton (51) threatened to be undone. However, Jeff Kemp returned the figures of 5 for 2 as home side Underwood II, who came up with Clifton last season were bowled for 117 in reply.

Keyworth II are on a great run in M, their latest win came at home to previous leaders Belton, Richard Drury’s unbeaten 85 being the highlight in Keyworth’s reply to the 143 target set. It wasn’t a good day Belton’s closest rivals Thrumpton II either  as they fell to a seven run defeat at mid table Long Whatton II. A tense finale at Lambley II who edged out visitors Caythorpe IV (180) by eight runs, veteran Dave Groves rolling back the years with 5 for 48 for the winners.

The top two clashed in N and Dave Stanley’s unbeaten 75 and five wickets for 14 year old Adam Burton assisted Gedling Colliery III to a three wicket win at Balderton II (145). Lowdham II take Balderton’s place in the promotion places after defeating Hucknall III (153) by 42 runs. Mid table Shepshed were the impressive destroyers of Newstead Village III who crashed to 24 all out thanks to four wickets each for Richard Camp and Michael Price. The misery continues for Elks III who followed up last weeks dismal showing with just 45 at Plumtree III, James Brydon (5 for 19) and 12 year old Matthew Milnes (3 for 4) the chief destroyers.

A thrilling tie in Division P at Kimberley IV who couldn’t be separated from Ruddington II (148). There were still 12 overs remaining when Kimberley lost their final wicket, for the home side though there were notable performances from the father and daughter combination of Carl (62*) and Becky Widdowson (4 for 32). There were wins for Ellerslie III and West Bridgfordians III to stay part of the promotion picture, for the latter there was a brave innings from Siddhart Patwardhan who struck an unbeaten 75, this was after temporarily retiring hurt after being hit in the eye.

The main news in R were first defeats for Wollaton III and Wymeswold II against Notts Unity III and Thrumpton III respectively, Unity’s win elevates them to second place. An exciting climax at West Bridgford Legion II where visitors Kinoulton II won off the final delivery thanks to 62 for Sam Jennings. Shepshed IV demolished East Leake II for 42, James Riches grabbing six wickets, but there a few nervy moments in their reply, losing five wickets themselves.  Finally congratulations to Poplars who are off and running, thrashing winless Edingley II (49) by 159 runs.