South Nottinghamshire Cricket League

Alex Kelly exploded on to the scene in his first game for Gedling and Sherwood in Division A. The recent signing from Clifton Village claimed three wickets in four balls, and, aided by Paul McMillan (5 for 30) shot out struggling Newstead Village for 104, with only Adam Gilbert (44) and Paul Nott (31) troubling the scorers.

However, in reply, Newstead put up a fight, taking five cheap wickets, including Samrat Sharma for a duck. The game was finely balanced until a sixth wicket partnership between Simon Smith (28*) and spinner Alex Norton (29*) saw the winners home to remain joint top of the league.

Long Eaton (212) also made it four wins out of four, easily disposing of Balderton (149) who just cant seem to get going this season. In the game there was another star performance from Umar Hassan who scored 61 and then claimed five wickets to take his tally to 22 in just four games.

Radcliffe on Trent have quietly slipped into third and skipper Richard Brooks will be more than content with his young sides start to the season. They set Keyworth 227 for victory with Brooks himself finding some form with 55, however it was Mark Noblet, who has impressed since his promotion from the seconds, who top scored with 68. Keyworth had Australian Grant Parker (68) and Dale Collison (52) in the runs, however they fell short on 205.

After a slow start, Notts Unity Casuals have recorded back to back wins. They have some exciting young talent down at Lenton Lane under the watchful eye of Andrew Jackman and it was sixteen year old Gurpej Landa (61) who starred in their seven wicket success at home to Attenborough (155).

In Division B, Eastwood (116 for 3) totally outplayed Ellerslie (115) to remain at the summit. However Loughborough Carillion are matching them stride for stride and the early indications are that the side may have found the cutting edge required to seriously push for promotion. An influx of new players always assists matter and it was one of these, James Dovey (7 for 33) who destroyed Kimberley II (139). In reply, left handers Julian Richardson (60*) and George Webber (58*) saw the winners cruise to victory.

Pre season title contenders Rolls Royce Leisure were again in disarray after slumping 135 for 7 chasing 237 for victory in a quick return fixture at local rivals Kirkby Portland. However, an unbroken stand of 102 between all rounders Saleem Karim (65*) and Graeme Wright (47*) saw the Hucknall side through to an unlikely victory. Skipper Gordon Pearson will be hoping that this success finally kickstarts their season.

In the battle at the bottom, Bottesford (149) came a poor second at Gotham (210) who had Kevin Perrell (83), Gary Kerslake (42) and Brett James (4 – 28) pulling the strings. The losers hope that the return of Nick Silverwood from Gedling will improve their fortunes.

Collingham remain at the helm in Division C after a David Pipes century helped them to 237 and a winning draw at Radcliffe II (203). Hucknall (228) stay second after coming out on top in an entertaining game at Fiskerton (211).

The headlines though in the division are being made by third place Hyson Green Carrington Caribs and in particular their free scoring batsmen. Muhammed Ihtshan recorded his second century of the season and Rehan Iqbal his third consecutive fifty as the home side amassed 260 which was way too many for Plumtree II (164).

Elsewhere in C, West Bridgfordians are finally up and running, and in some style too as the double act of skipper Jon Sheard (5 for 14) and Sam Winch (3 for 21) helped shoot out Bramcote for just 53.

The top two met in Division D. However an early finish was ensured as Attenborough II comfortably passed the 122 target set by Wollaton II. James Piper hit 62 for the winners, earlier Bryan Aplin had swung the game the way of the home side, taking 5 for 22.

Long Whatton haven’t had much to smile about in the last year or so. An horrendous run of form saw them relegated on the final day of 2007 and two successive defeats has seen a severe dent in their hopes of an instant return to C.  However, Saturday saw a return to winning ways as 94 from Mark Vellacott and 6 wickets for Alex Lester, including a hat trick saw the home side outclass bottom club Willoughby (73).

Nuthall must consider themselves strong contenders for promotion in E, as they can call on the talents of the Marsh brothers who excelled in the Derbyshire Premier League for a number of seasons. On Saturday in the top of the table clash with Thrumpton, Richard struck 122 and AJ as Nuthall posted an insurmountable 266. Thrumpton made a decent fist of it, but lost top scorer Mike Millward (42) who had to retire hurt and the innings petered out on 198.

Calverton II must have been hopeful of a first victory, setting a testing 207 for victory thanks to 82 from Bilal Waheed and 66 from John Leafe. However, Long Eaton stalwart Steve Higton struck 68 and in a thrilling climax Chris Garratt scraped the single required off the final delivery.

The two remaining unbeaten sides in F met and Kinoulton (128) were no match for Chilwell (199). This slip up for Kinoulton enabled Hoveringham to take second place after ex Caythorpe man Ben Lee (77*) and Nick Walton (53*) eased their side to a ten wicket success at Bottesford II (135).

Fifty three year old Jeff Kirkham rolled back the years for Collingham II striking a superb 122 in his teams 204. Yet he was then upstaged by 13 year old Adeel Shafique (94) and 15 year old James Marshall (69) as Unity Casuals II recorded their first victory of the season.

For the second time this season, the honour of the days joint highest individual score went to Kirkby Portland II in Division G. This time it was Jack Ellis who excelled with an unbeaten 138. Home side Lowdham (146) fell some distance short of the 274 required.  Elsewhere, not even some magic from Tommy Cooper (56) could inspire Gotham II (131) at Epperstone (241) for whom Richard Stanton added four more wickets to an impressive tally this season.

In H 106 from skipper Ian Huskison and 96 from Australian Ben Webb saw Loughborough Carillon II (262) inflict the first defeat of the season on Whatton and Aslockton (189). Geoff Spurr of Lambley also struck a century to add to his unbeaten 99 the previous week as his side were victorious at Newstead Village II.

Cotgrave fared little better than a week ago. After being dismissed for 93, Michael Phillips (74*) of Gedling and Sherwood II chased down the total in just 12 overs.

Burton Joyce have a 100% percent record at the top in Division J. Their latest success was a 154 run thrashing of Beeston Sycamore II, Scott Pratt (82) and Darren Smith (4 for 30) being the chief perpetrators.

Its also four wins out of four for Flintham (198) in L as 64 from Mark Lethbridge led the side to victory in a close fought game at previously unbeaten Lenton Abbey (183) who had Gareth Lewis top scoring with 52.  Watch out for Attenborough III though as four wickets for skipper Colin McConnell and three for Lee Simkiss demolished Willoughby II (33).

No slip ups so far for leaders Caythorpe IV in L who had Simon Park (50) top scoring in their 26 run win at home to Keyworth II (183). Wilsons II stay on their trail though as an unbeaten 55 from Jeff Moore and four wickets for Naseem Ghani were the catalysts in their victory at Lambley II. Thrumpton aren’t too far behind either as a century from Steve Sheehan guided them to an easy win at home to Underwood II (72).

The prolific Mark Fish of Fiskerton II added 93 to his ever growing tally this season. Fiskerton were thankful for the contribution as they only managed 128 in total in M! However five wickets for Dick Stead in reply saw the home Hucknall III fall short on 116. Fiskerton stay second as leaders Gedling Colliery III (165 for 3) made no mistake at home to Radcliffe III (162).

Broad Street continue to impress in N. Chris Cupit smashed 87 amd Mike Butler 59 in an imposing 245. In reply, Kirkby Portland III collapsed to 64 all out having no answer to Chris Cupit (3 for 15), Ben Wiltshire (2 for 15) and Mike Cupit (2 for 9).

The highlight in N though came from 17 year old Kane Wilson who struck a fabulous unbeaten 135 for Ellerslie III in their home game with Snibston Grange II (140).

Hoveringham II have been strengthened by Dave Whitehurst and Dave Groves joining from Lambley II and the pair paid leading roles in their fourth success of the season at home to Collingham III. Whitehurst struck 138, the joint highest score of the day, and the wily old left arm of Groves (4 for 16) was too much for the visitors to deal with.

Beeston Sycamore III lead the way in  R in their hope of a quick return to P. Five wickets for Shehzad Iqbal and three for Rahul Sarwal helped the leaders to an eight wicket success at Kinoulton II (59). Finally a man of the match performance form David Thompson (54 and 5 for 36) of Poplars ensured a second success of the season.