South Nottinghamshire Cricket League

In Division A, Ellerslie were rewarded for switching their game to their Wilford Lane ground by securing only their second twenty point haul of the season and in doing so hauled themselves off the foot of the table.

Batting first, Andy Birch (75*) delivered his highest score since his pre season move from Notts Unity Casuals  and together with useful contributions from Samrat Sharma (46) and Kaizer Shukat (43) enabled Ellerslie to post a daunting 270 – 4. In reply, visitors Radcliffe on Trent, despite 71 from Lee Houghton, fell some distance short on 155 as new signing from Gedling Colliery Zaheer Rahman took 4 for 40.

In the divisions only other game to beat the weather, Balderton remain third after a 16 point winning draw at home to Attenborough who in turn slump to the bottom.

Tim Clipsham (76) carried on where he had left off on June 9, by top scoring for the home side in the final total of 188 for 9, for the visitors, 14 year old Dominic Harvey continues to impress with 5 for 35. Attenborough battled hard with the bat, Sam Clulow striking 58 but eventually they had to cling on for the losing draw at 169 for 8.

Just the one game was possible in B, and form team Kirkby Portland continued their decent run by defeating Bottesford (112) by four wickets. The father and son combination of Jason (5 for 37) and Joe Caunt (51) were the chief perpetuators of the victory. Kirkby climb to mid table whilst Bottesford, relegated from A last season fall to second from bottom.   

In Division C, Belvoir’s hard work in recent weeks to get games on looks to have paid dividends as they climbed to joint second. Visitors Hucknall posted 159 thanks in the main to 55 from veteran Andy Wagstaff, for the home side, 18 year old Richard Gadd returned excellent figures of 6 for 38. The game was in the balance at 142 for 8 in  Belvoir’s reply, however an unbeaten 28 from Tony Wade and a six and four from big hitting Dan Greengrass saw the home team to victory.

Fiskerton cemented their position at the helm in D following a comfortable victory at mid table Stanton by Dale (142 for 9), Richard Robson (51) top scoring with 51 as the winners recorded their seventh win in eight games.

Division E saw the leagues only completed fixtures and leaders Risley were involved in an astonishing encounter at fellow promotion hopefuls Farndon. Led by Lee Jackson (5 for 22) and Dan Hubbard (3 for 9) Farndon dismissed the table toppers for a paltry 60. However, not for the first time this season, Risley displayed their prowess with the ball as four wickets for Matt Shaw and three for Dan Gough helped shoot out the home side for 34!

It was generally a good day for the leading sides in E as fifties from Sunil Sharma and Andy Rattray eased Wollaton II to a four wicket win at home to Southwell II (162 for 4)  whilst four wickets for Richard Marsh and three each for Rod Sanders and Mick Mason were the catalysts of Nuthall’s four wicket success in a low scoring encounter at home to Long Eaton II (75).

The game of the day between Eastwood II and Caythorpe III in F fell victim to the weather leaving Gedling Colliery II to win and share the leadership with the latter. Winless Ravenshead could only muster 100 as 14 year old Adam Burton took 3 for 21, whilst in reply, Gedling’s Ryan Easom struck 47 to see the winners home by five wickets.

In G, Hoveringham took advantage of closest rivals Chilwell’s game being cancelled to return to the summit. On a day where drying wickets produced mainly bowler friendly pitches, ex Caythorpe man Ben Lee struck an outstanding unbeaten 110 in Hoveringham’s 203 for 5. Bottom club Bramcote II (52) were never in the hunt as Sturart Walton and skipper Tim Etherington grabbed three wickets apiece.

In G’s remaining game, Lowdham set a target of 135 for victory at fellow promotion hopefuls Kinoulton, Andy Norris top scoring with 40. Kinoulton captain Shaun Campbell looked to have batted his side to victory with 42 in reply but when he was dismissed Lowdham grabbed the opportunity and six off the final delivery proved to be four too many for the home side.

Oxton made it the perfect ten out of ten in H with an eight run victory over visitors Gedling and Sherwood II (110). Credit must be given for this particular success as the opposition fielded several first teamers who usually ply their trade in B. Steve Thornhill and Mark Zajac were the heroes for the home side with four and three wickets respectively.

Elsewhere in H, Rolls Royce Leisure II looked dead and buried earlier in the season after losing their first six games. However three successive victories have given them real hope of avoiding a second successive relegation. Third placed Cotgrave set a testing 181 for victory and Rolls looked to be heading for defeat at 96 for 7. However, enter 15 year old Jake Wright who starred with his first senior fifty and together with Gordon Pearson (74*) the pair produced an unlikely victory.

The days only other game in H saw Elks II ease their relegation worries as they came out on top by 23 runs at home to East Leake (73). Scott Law took five wickets for the winners and it was a double celebration for ex Kimberley all rounder Neil Sanderson (3 for 21) who scored his first runs of the season after six successive ducks!

In J the top two of Lambley and Gladstone both fell to defeats. Lambley lost to a strong Newstead Village II (120) by 49 runs who climb to the top whilst Gladstone (175 for 8) slipped to a surprise four wicket defeat at Edingley for whom Shaun Stocks (91*) was the man of the match. Defeat for the pair meant Carrington Caribs II now hold the remaining promotion slot after crushing bottom club Caunton (83) by 141 runs.

Division K leaders Burton Joyce were without a game so Bingham, West Bridgfordians II and Basford Hall OB all took advantage to reduce the gap with victories. Bingham in particular though must have been doubtful of success at the tea interval after being dismissed for just 95, however Glenn Warwick and Graeme Warwick bowled superbly to bowl out visitors Belvoir II fro 42.

Just the one game survived in Division L where early pace setters Kimberley III finally returned to form with an 81 run win at Stanton by Dale II (135), Daniel Pheasant continuing his fine season falling just four short a century.

Thrumpton II stay top in M, Grant Woolley (65*) and Mark Payne (45*) the chief contributors in their 50 run success at home to Farndon II (105). Lambley II took advantage of Belton II’s inactivity by moving up to second, Fiskerton II (110) falling way short of the 200 set for victory thanks to 4 wickets from veteran spinner Dave Groves.

There was a one sided relegation battle in N as Hucknall III improved their chances of survival after bowling out Cotgrave II for just 28!

Its as you were in P as the top two were both successful. Chilwell II fielded a strong side due to the first teams lack of action and had too many aces for struggling Whatton and Aslockton II who slipped to 61 all out chasing 195 for victory. For the winners, Ali Mustafa (74*) and David Grant (69) earned the plaudits. Ellerslie II remain second as Will Shields (7 for 19) recorded the leagues best bowling performance in their victory over mid table Kimberley IV.

After weeks of inactivity, Division R finally got underway again, Wollaton maintaining top spot with a nine wicket win at West Bridgford Legion II (89 for 7), Stuart Cobbett striking an unbeaten 53 for the winners. Wymeswold II again caught the eye with the brother and sister due of Jack and Sophia Hayes each taking four wickets to demolish East Leake II (35).