South Nottinghamshire Cricket League

Division A leaders Gedling and Sherwood showed their strength in depth to edge past mid table Unity Casuals on Saturday and so surge further ahead of the chasing pack.

On a fabulous Lenton Lane track the new ball pair of Paul McMillan and Shaun Carmody, so often the pinnacle of their success to date were put firmly in their place by some exquisite stroke play from Simon Neal (39) and Gurpej Landa (30). So much so that 70 runs were recorded off the first 9 overs.   

However spin then took over in the form of skipper Gerry Goodwin and Alex Norton. Goodwin produced a beaut of a delivery to dismiss Neal, whilst after a couple of close shaves Landa managed to run himself out. The game then appeared very different now as batsmen weren’t prepared to graft as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Unity’s remaining hope was ex Cavalier Andrew Jackman (44) who marshalled the tail and used up the overs to post  a competitive 175. Goodwin was the pick of the visiting attack with 4 for 35.

After a quiet start and a fifty opening stand Gedling’s reply began to stumble after the introduction of skiddy medium pacer Shoaib Khalil who took five of the six wickets to fall, including the smart stumping of Samrat Sharma for 56.

At 130 for 6 the home side were in the ascendency, but McMillan (37*) took a risk or two and,  aided by Stuart Morley (14*) the visitors got home with 3 overs to spare.

Long Eaton have endured a wretched week. After losing their unbeaten record last weekend, they have had points deducted in midweek due to fielding unregistered players and finished with a second successive defeat, this time to Radcliffe on Trent who are this seasons surprise package.

The losers posted a reasonable 184 with skipper Brett Scothern (63) leading the way. However the in form Ian Dodd (78*) and Mark Noblet (44) saw the visitors to victory and second place. Long Eaton slip to fifth.

In the battle of the strugglers the highlight of Southwell’s innings of 140 was a first fifty for the first team for fifteen year old George Bacon, whilst there was a further three wicket haul for Newstead Village’s Pakistani  Irfanuddin. Newstead’s  reply was not without its hiccups but they got there with two wickets and five balls remaining to record their first win of the season.

Grant Parker of Keyworth has been their only player to score consistently with the bat in their  sub-standard start. The Australian, who may miss the second half of the season to return home top scored with 110 out of a testing 194. However, Balderton’s run machine of 2007, Tim Cilpsham, finally got out of first gear with a brilliant unbeaten 104 and together with James Hurst (43) and Dominic Wiffin (37) the visitors coasted to victory.

Division B leaders Eastwood came through their sternest test to date with flying colours. Previously unbeaten Loughborough Carillon (98) had no answer to the medium pace of Ikram Ul Haq (4 – 21) and Umar Awan (3 – 18). After tea the attacking Ejaz Ahmed (52*) and local boy Adam Leigh (41*) made short work of the reply.

The two promoted clubs, Clifton Village II and Belvoir currently occupy second and third places. It looked like the hard work of Clifton opener  Anthony Hart (71) would go to waste after the home side slumped to 158 for 8. However there then followed an incredible innings from skipper Luke Gunn who thumped 72 in just 36 balls, including seven sixes. Good job too as Kirkby Portland chased the 253 target before running out of batsmen and clinging on for the losing draw at 227 for 9. The father and son combination of Jason (49) and Joe Caunt (61) impressed for the visitors who lie perilously above the relegation places.

Belvoir posted 234 at Gotham thanks to half centuries from skipper James Fellows and Andrew Mitchell, then it was the turn of fit again Matt Irvine (6 for 33) as the home side crumbled to 118 all out.

How Bottesford must be wishing they still had the services of Irvine as they fell to a heavy defeat at the Jeckyll and Hyde side they call Kimberley Seconds. Returnee Nick Silverwood made 89 in the losers 188. However that total is rarely sufficient on a tiny Newdigate Street pitch as Andy Platts (90*) and James Griffiths (71) eased the home side to success.

Ellerslie recorded a much sought after victory to halt Rolls Royce Leisure’s rise up the table. After taking four wickets in the visitors 193, Ellerslie captain Eddie Pidduck set a further example with 78, however it was James Povey (57*) who eventually won the game.

In C, Hucknall’s young side again stepped up to the plate for the second successive week to see off another potential title challenger. Hyson Green Carrington Caribs set an imposing 225 for victory, Muhammed Ihtshan (91) again impressing. However 83 from Scott Harris, 41 from Andy Wagstaff and an unbeaten 48 from Andy Foster saw the North Notts Club home.

Collingham climb back up to second and Bramcote would have rued dropping David Pipes on 30. The prolific batsman was eventually dismissed for 121 as the visitors ended with 225. In reply Dave Green notched up his third successive fifty and some stubborn resistance from Geoff Green and Mark Spibey ensured the home side  held on for a losing draw at 164 for 9.

At the other end of the table, Fiskerton were heading for another defeat at 160 for 8 chasing Plumtree II’s 196. However Dave Harper (27*) and Dan Collington had other ideas sharing a vital ninth wicket stand. Collington eventually departed but Harper stood firm and the winners squeezed home with two deliveries left.

After a slow start to the season, the talented Henry Straw of West Bridgfordians has recently come to the fore in the last fortnight. Straw struck a match winning 87 to help overcome bottom club Nottingham (202) who at least showed some fight after their dismal display last week.

Attenborough climbed back to the top of D without bowling a ball as previous leaders Wollaton II were surprisingly defeated at Newark (186 for 6), Rob Matchett (66) being the match winner. Long Whatton (179 for 5) have moved ominously into third with a third straight victory. Chasing 178 to win at home mid table Thurgarton the home side success fully chased the target down thanks to fifties from in form Mark Vellacott and Jack Foster.

There was no change at the top of E with wins for leaders Nuthall and second placed Gedling Colliery II. Southwell II had chased leather for most of the afternoon at Gedling due to Duncan McKeown (79*) and Graham Burton (38). The last thing they needed towards the end of the innings would be Mike Bailey striding to the crease. Bailey blazed 47 in just 17 balls as the home side closed on an insurmountable 275. Despite a fifty on debut from L Harris, the visitors fell some distance short on 131. Nuthall meanwhile had the talented Adrian Marsh (68* and 4 for 22) to thank for their success at home to Long Eaton II (132).

The eagerly awaited clash at the top of F between Chilwell and Hoveringham went the way of the previous season with a win for the home side who have not dropped a point to date this season. Chilwell made 232 with newcomer Sid Knonna making 75. Khonna then took the ball and claimed five victims and despite the consistent Stuart Walton striking 72, the away side fell 33 runs short.

Kinoulton took full advantage of Hoveringham’s slip by thrashing West Bridgford Legion (78) by seven wickets with Andrew Wilcox (5 for 20) the man of the match.

There were easy wins for the leading duo of Kirkby Portland II and East Bridgford in Division G. However they may well be looking nervously over their shoulders at Oxton who won convincingly at Ravenshead (82) to climb to third, James Crudgington again in form with an unbeaten 47 and four wickets.

Another player consistently performing week after week is Epperstone’s Richard Stanton. Saturday saw him make 40 and snaffle four victims in his teams 89 run thrashing of lowly Snibston Grange (94).

No problems either for the leading pack in J with comfortable victories for Whatton and Aslockton, Loughborough Carillon II and HG Carrington Caribs II. Whatton’s win was particularly impressive as Johnathan Wallis (84*) John Mancaster (66) knocked off the 160 Newstead Village II set in just 28 overs.

Burton Joyce’s 100% in J record came to abrupt halt after crashing to 46 all out at Bingham, James Wilson taking 5 for 17 for the winners. West Bridgfordians II draw level winning a low scoring game at Ruddington.

Run machine Mark Whyatt  (136*) delivered again for Basford Hall OB, together with Jon Smith (81*) they surpassed the 226 target set by Belvoir II in just 36 overs. However that wasn’t the days  highest partnership. That honour went to Andy Carden (131*) and 16 year old Jake Wright (91) Rolls Royce Leisure II who put on 235 for the first wicket in their 168 run demolition of poor Stapleford (82).

The story of the day in K came at Kimberley III where the home side were handily placed on 160 for 6. Enter 15 year old Lawrence Johnson who took four wickets in four balls, all bowled! It turned out to be a game winning performance as Willoughby II sneaked home with two wickets intact. Elsewhere in K the top two of Flintham and Attenborough III both recorded successes with Matt Brick of the latter scoring a century in their win at Clifton Village III.

 A good day for leaders Caythorpe IV in L who won convincingly at home to Thrumpton II (165) with Matt Woods (59*) and Richard Manning (45) the chief contributors. Closest rivals Keyworth II  slipped to defeat at Wilsons II who had Iftikhar Ahmed and Nadeem Ghani grabbing four wickets apiece.

An easy day for top dogs Gedling Colliery III in M, Matt McBride taking four wickets as visitors Lowdham II were shot out for 44. Fiskerton II had no game but Balderton II were defeated by 9 runs in their local derby at home to Newark II (162) with Craig Havelock’s 79 being the difference between the two sides.

Its as you were in N with a straight forward win for West Bridgfordians III at Ellerslie III (112) but a setback for second placed Broad Street who were nudged out by improving Kimberley IV.

Whatton and Aslockton remain at the helm in P and in the clash between second and third, Wollaton III came out on top, successfully chasing down Wymeswold II’s 147 thanks to Harry Somekh (33) and 14 year old Alex King (30).