South Nottinghamshire Cricket League

The beer was flowing at Plumtree on Saturday night as the home side secured the championship and the golden ticket to the Premier League. Despite the season being hit by the weather there is no doubt that Darren Wright’s men fully deserve their success due to their all round strength in depth.

A positive result was all Plumtree required on Saturday and Navid Latif, back in the country after playing representative cricket in Pakistan went some way to achieving this on his own cracking 127. Rob Tapp (62) and Steve James (47) also chipped in whilst the extras also notched up a half century. Visitors Long Eaton, themselves title challengers until a fortnight ago were left chasing a formidable 316 for victory, however they made a decent fist of it, Tim Taylor (83) and Umar Hassan (81) the chief contributors in their 267.

At the bottom its all going down to the final game with no fewer than five teams still in fear of the drop.  The game between Eastwood and Radcliffe had all the twists and turns you would expect in a relegation battle. Batting first, Eastwood looked well set for 200 at one stage but yet again Neil Gregory (60) lacked sufficient support as the middle and late order, Stuart Hill (38) apart collapsed to 167 all out. Radcliffe’s reply was solely based around Zimbabwean Waddington Mwayeanga (97) who was put down twice. Wickets fell at regular intervals, particularly in the middle order to Dave Summers, but Mwayeanga found willing partners in Simon Hopson and Alex Reed Brewer. A further clutch of wickets followed leaving Simon Ward and Pete Vickers to nurdle the visitors through to a priceless one wicket victory.

Southwell knew that a defeat would probably see the end of their brief sojourn in the top flight, however by winning at Ellerslie they bring the home side right back into the mire. Southwell successfully chased down the 169 target set thanks to unbeaten contributions from Tim Green (78) and Dave Rimmer (46), for Ellerslie, skipper Eddie Pidduck fought a losing battle with 5 for 55. The performance of the day though went to Attenborough who could only muster 149 at home to second placed Calverton, yet the home side produced a tremendous performance with the ball to dismiss Calverton for 113, Sam Clulow the man of the match with 42 and 4 for 26.

Attenborough’s weekend got even better on Sunday with a superb victory at home to Plumtree in the semi final of the Popkess Cup. The winners chased 215 and got home with one ball and one wicket to spare, Clulow again top scoring with 78. Attenborough play the winners of Collingham and Carington Caribs in the final at Kinoulton on September 9.

There are no issues settled as yet in Division B with the top three of Rolls Royce, Gedling and Sherwood and Keyworth all winning. Seven wickets for Kevin Pearson who is enjoying another Indian summer was the catalyst in Rolls’ seven wicket win at home to West Bridgfordians (180). Rolls are in pole position but have to travel to Keyworth on Saturday. Its looking bleak for Collingham who are in danger of suffering their third successive relegation, they travel to Gotham on Saturday with the losers almost certainly relegated. Kimberley II breathed a huge sigh of relief after a four wicket win at home to Gotham, skipper James Griffiths (37*) anchoring the side home.

Clifton Village II require just one win from their remaining two fixtures to secure a quick return to Division B. They had the lions share of a winning draw at Hickling who could only make 88 in reply to the visitors 238. Carington Caribs are second following a win at home to Plumtree II, Belvoir are third but if they win their remaining two games, both against freefalling Long Whatton then they too will be promoted.

It is too little too late but Attenborough II have found some form in August. Chasing 172 at Long Whatton they only needed David Harris (79*) and Mike Dickinson (76). Whatton will be glad of their early season form as they cant buy a win at present. Nottingham seemed safe enough at the halfway stage but a poor run has seen them slump to second from bottom. Ian Lobb of Hucknall put them to the sword on Saturday recording an unbeaten 100 and in reply Scott Harris took 4 for 34 and Martyn Wagstaff 3 for 26 as Nottingham slipped to 122 all out and defeat by 60 runs.

Despite defeat at nearest rivals Radcliife on Trent II on Saturday, Fiskerton are promoted from Division D. Radcliffe must beat Stanton by Dale on Saturday to join them. A fine all round performance by Newark’s Steve Kennewell (133 and 3 for 31) was the reason behind their success at Stanton. Meanwhile Willoughby are making their own version of the great escape by grabbing their third win in four games, a comprehensive one too which ended Thurgarton’s slim hopes of promotion. Skipper Gino Taj was again in the wickets claiming 4 for 27 as the home side was shot out for just 109.

Wollaton hold on to top spot in E with Risley second , however with just the one game remaining Risley are the only side that are guaranteed promotion. Not for the first time this season, Risley (180) showed their strength with the ball, Matt Shaw claiming five wickets and Chris Gough four as Nuthall’s promotion push ended with a 68 run defeat. Wollaton’s Andy Rattray rolled back the years with 102 at home to West Bridgford Legion (129) who with a 113 run defeat against the table toppers are heading for a swift return to Division F.

The two promotion places in F are settled, congratulations go to Caythorpe III on their second successive promotion whilst Gedling Colliery return to E after just one season in the lower league. Gedling made light work of the 160 set by Ravenshead, Rob Platnam (70) and Geoff Moore (69) doing the brunt of the scoring, defeat for Ravenshead means they are relegated. Elks have had a good run of form in the second half of the season, Scott Law (87) again in the runs in their six wicket win at home to Wymeswold (181). Elks should finish third which should stand them in good stead for a crack at promotion next season.

Another week another leader in Division G, Chilwell (236) take over again following a comprehensive win at Gotham (100), Jason Woolliscroft being run out on 97. Kinoulton blased an incredible 372 against previous leaders Hoveringham, Tom Richards smashing 137 and the consistent Steve Harling 57. Hoveringham gave it a good go though with their star Stuart Walton smacking 152 and Murray De Banke an unbeaten 70 as the hosts finished on 298. A win for Hoveringham against Chilwell next week will see them promoted whilst Kinoulton must win their remaining two games and hope results go their way. In the battle of the bottom two, Whatton and Aslockton (154 for 8) gave themselves a glimmer of hope of avoiding the drop by defeating relegated Bramcote II by 53 runs, Alex White grabbing a hat trick for the winners.

The inevitable was confirmed on Saturday with a richly deserved title success for Oxton who have played 13 won 13. Chris Graham performed the star turn this week with 6 for 14 as fading East Leake slumped to 96, a target which the champions passed for the loss of five wickets. Kirkby Portland II looked the most likely side to join Oxton in G and if they are successful they will owe a huge debt of gratitude to seamer Adie Severn who added another five wickets to his impressive tally for the season in his sides 85 run win at home to Elks II (153). Beeston Sycamore had their relegation confirmed on Saturday following a heavy defeat at home to Loughborough Carillon II the remaining slot will be fought out between Rolls Royce II and Elks II who are separated by a single point.

Newstead Village II are just a win away from promotion from Division J. Thirteen year old James Bowker was the star with the ball in the leaders easy win at Ruddington. Wins for Lambley and Carrington Caribs II will keep the chase open up to the final week. Bestwood Village battled bravely for victory at Lambley (165), veteran Bob Limb top scoring with 55 but the run chase fell just 11 runs short and it condemned Bestwood to a third successive relegation.

Burton Joyce are home and dry at the top in K with a hundred percent record, the title winning victory came at Lenton Abbey who fell 66 runs short of the 229 set, Chris Seymour and Tony Downie recording fifities for the champions. The remaining promotion slot will be between West Bridgfordians II and Basford Hall OB who play each other in a winner takes all on Saturday. Both sides recorded comfortable victories, Bridgfordians being the more emphatic at poor Thurgarton II who once again are relegated.

Congratulations also go to Woodborough who are champions in L, however fellow promotion contenders Willoughby II’s bid was totally derailed at home to Clifton Village III who racked up 250 for 5 and bowled the home side out for just 72. Breaston took full opportunity to move into second with a 60 run win at home to Underwood II (151), Barry Rainsford (72) top scoring for Breaston.

Its extremely tight at the top in M with Thrumpton II currently in pole position defeating previously second Belton (84) by 29 runs, Thomas Harken the man of the match with 5 for 19. Defeat for Belton enabled Keyworth to take over in second following a 31 run win at home to Lambley II (124), Can Troung the star performer with 5 for 23.

Lowdham II are almost there in N with a win at Balderton II, Gedling Colliery III still remain the other favourites for promotion but  third placed Shepshed ensured a few last week jitters at Gedling lost by one run chasing 187 to win, this despite 50 from Dave Stanley.