South Nottinghamshire Cricket League

Plumtree took a huge step towards the Premier League following an astonishing last gasp victory at struggling Attenborough. The Strand at Attenborough was seeing its first cricket since mid June so perhaps it was no surprise that the visitors progress, after being into inserted into bat was cautious against the economical bowling of Martin Rayner and Sam Clulow. However, Nigel Finney (38) and 15 year old Ben Milnes dug deep and together with a late onslaught from Michael Tew (32) got the score up to 170, Rayner ending with 5 for 35.

Not for the first time this season, Attenborough’s batting proved to be their undoing. Scott Bailey picked up the prize wicket of McKinlay for single figures and despite some brave resistance from Pete Turner (26) and Mike Aplin (24), wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, mainly to Dallas Coull ((4 for 33). Nevertheless, prior to the penultimate delivery, Attenborough looked set to hang on for the losing draw. However, the home side seemed to be distracted by the prospect of earning a batting point at 120, culminating in a calamitous run out and a simple catch to mid wicket to give the visitors an unlikely victory.

The day just got better for Plumtree when news filtered through of defeats for Balderton and Long Eaton, their closest rivals. Ellerslie successfully chased the 181 target set  for victory by visitors Balderton thanks to fifties from skipper Eddie Pidduck and Lachlan Grace whilst four wickets for in form Seyd Ammed assisted Eastwood (215 for 8) to a 26 run victory at home to Long Eaton, this despite a fine performance from all rounder Umar Hassan (81 and 3 for 56).

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Attenborough though as freefalling Radcliffe fell to the bottom after managing just 74 at home to Calverton who had David Fraser Darling (5 for 33) in exquisite form. In the division’s remaining fixture, Tariq Mahmood seems to be adjusting to life in North Notts rather well as the Newstead Village spinner destroyed Southwell with 8 for 43 as the home side romped to a ten wicket victory.

In Division B, an eighth wicket stand of 60 between Zafeer Wallet (41) and keeper Dave Dixon (33) was the catalyst of Rolls Royce Leisure’s twenty run success over local rivals Kirkby Portland (139). Rolls’ win together with defeat for Gedling and Sherwood at Bottesford means that the Hucknall side take over at the top.

Keyworth (211 for 7) climb to third with Ian Graham (63 and 5 for 21) the man of the match in their winning draw at Collingham. Loughborough Carillon (195 for 8) felt the full force of Kimberley’s Vaughan Hamilton’s demotion to the second team, Hamilton striking an unbeaten 109 in the six wicket win. Elsewhere, the battle at the bottom was won convincingly by Gotham who had Alex Haowrth starring with 87 in their success at West Bridgfordians.

Undoubtedly the team performance of the day was produced by Hucknall in Division C. Severely depleted by a wedding, the home side  set leaders Clifton Village II a daunting 240 for victory, then the teenagers took over as Adam Scott, Ben Lake and Tom Carlisle each grabbed three wickets apiece as the visitors crashed to 110 all out.

There was no game for Belvoir so Carrington Caribs (215) took the opportunity moved up into second following a 17 point winning draw at home to struggling Bramcote (142 for 8) with Arslan Shah (77*) and Wasim Karim (40 and 4 for 18) earning the plaudits. Hickling still harbour hopes of promotion after earning the lions share of the points at home to Nottingham, however Attenborough II looked doomed following another defeat at Plumtree II.

A couple more wins should see Fiskerton up in Division D, their latest success came at Thrumpton (183 for 7) and was courtesy of a superb 127 from in form Richard Robson. How things could have been different though if Thrumpton would have held on to the chance offered by Robson on nought!

Radcliffe II (157 for 4) remain favourites to join Fiskerton in C after success at winless Calverton II (154 for 6), James Godrich top scoring with 94*. At the wrong end of the table, a second success for Willoughby has given them hope of avoiding a swift return to division E. Willoughby successfully chased 144 for victory at Stanton by Dale thanks to a captains performance from Gino Taj (34 and 3 for 33), John Newton and Shahid Mamood also chipped in with three wickets each.

There are new leaders in Division E as Risley (85) fell to a shock defeat at struggling West Bridgford Legion (119), Darren Shaw taking the honours for the winners with 5 for 15. Wollaton replace Risley at the summit after winning at Underwood whilst Nuthall remain in the promotion race after bowling out Farndon for 97. Elsewhere, Collingham II will need to win all their remaining games to survive after a heavy defeat at Long Eaton II (229 for 5).

Caythorpe III take over at the top in Division F by the narrowest of margins. Caythorpe thrashed Bottesford II (43) by 192 runs whilst Gedling Colliery II (244 for 3) remain hot on their heels after a comfortable success at home to Wymeswold (118), Tom Coffey (105) and Matt McBride (7 for 50) the star performers.

Elks have moved almost unnoticed into third, replacing Eastwood II whilst a first win of the season for Ravenshead has given them a glimmer of hope of avoiding relegation, particularly so as that only one team will drop down form F this season. Ravenshead had brothers Andrew and Julian Tadd and Numan Shafiq taking three wickets each at inconsistent Ellerslie II (121).

Chilwell once again take over at the helm in Division G. Previous inhabitants Hoveringham (110) slumped to an eighty five run defeat at Beeston Sycamore. True, Hoveringham were down in numbers due to a stag weekend but nothing should be taken away from Beeston who were worthy winners as Tony Beck (3 for 20) ex Notts Amateur Dave Fawcett (3 for 10)  and Tom Fullwood (3 for 30) all played their part in the success.

Chilwell made light work of Bramcote II (52), Paul Fletcher taking 5 for 20 but wins for Kinoulton, Lowdham and Epperstone will mean this promotion chase will go down to the wire.

The first promotion issue could well be decided in H next week as Oxton made it eleven wins out of eleven at Beeston Sycamore II. Kirkby Portland II (196 for 2) remain second winning the local derby at home to Rolls Royce Leisure II, Dave Gilwhite and Mick Barratt both recording fifties for the winners.

Elsewhere East Leake came out on top in a high scoring encounter at Cotgrave and change places with the losers in third, Chris Neal continuing his seasons good form with an unbeaten 103*. This wasn’t the divisions highest individual score however as Mike Phillips of struggling Gedling and Sherwood II crowned the opening of the new ground at Regatta Way, Holme Pierrepoint by blasting 124 in just 24 overs in the win over Elks II.

The leagues highest team score came in J where Carrington Caribs posted a huge 311 at Ruddington,  with Sultan Khan (115), Asif Haq (51) and Fraz Ahmed (52) all weighing in with the bat. The win wasn’t enough to secure top spot as Newstead Village II remain in pole position after a five wicket win at Sutton Bonington (148). Wins too for Gladstone and Lambley keep them firmly in promotion contention.

There is no stopping Burton Joyce in Division K, its eight wins out of eight now as Scott Pratt (50 and 2 for 38) was the chief contributor in their win at mid table Bingham. The other promotion place looks to be a two horse race between West Bridgfordians II and Basford Hall OB. The latter destroyed Attenborough (68) by 163 runs as Jamie Lees (78*) and Mark Whyatt (70) put the visitors to the sword.

Woodborough have a healthy lead at the top in Division L and probably just require two wins out of four to gain promotion. The leaders had a comfortable seven wicket win at home to Clifton Village III (133) thanks in the main to Paul Wilson (52* and 3 for 16). The runners up spot is less clear cut as Breaston (96) lost ground losing to Kimberley III by 62 runs. The hero for Kimberley was number nine bat Sam Freeman who made a priceless 49 and then chipped in with three wickets.

Belton are the new front runners in M following success at Snibston Grange II. Thrumpton II drop to second, losing at Fiskerton II, however  Lambley II missed the chance to capitalise being edged out by one wicket at home to Long Whatton II. Extremely tight at the bottom too with at least five teams involved in the picture due to all the cancellations.

Its as you were in division N with wins for the top two of Lowdham II and Gedling Colliery III. Youth was very much the winner for the latter as 16 year old Matthew Brooks and 14 year old Ryan Campbell took the honours with four and three wickets respectively in their win at home to Radcliffe III.

Wins for Chilwell II and Ellerslie III in P keep them in the promotion places but successes for Broad Street, Kirkby Portland III and West Bridgfordians III keep their outside hopes of elevation alive.

Wollaton III  and Wymeswold II had comfortable wins in R and continue to lead the way. Alec Cobbett returned superb figures of 6 for 9 in Wollaton’s win at Edingley II whilst 17 year old Emily Marriott (6 for 31 and 28*) was the star of Wymeswold’s success a home to Bingham II.

Elsewhere in R, Pete Dawn of West Bridgford Legion II recorded the days highest score, but his brilliant 130 was still not enough to secure victory in an excellent game at home to Young Lions. Finally congratulations to 17 year old Sam Jennings of Kinoulton  who recorded his maiden century in his teams win over Shepshed Town IV.