Gunn and Moore South Notts Cricket League Report Saturday 8 August 2009

By Phil Johnson

Division A leaders Radcliffe on Trent are now approaching the final furlong in the gallop for the Premier League. They now require just 30 points from their final three games after overcoming a disappointing Southwell outfit.

The losers were outplayed from the very start although in fairness the losing the toss had a bearing on the outcome. Southwell made just 103 with all Radcliffe bowlers impressing, in particular Chris Holden whose 16 overs leaked just 21 runs and included three victims. Tom Crosse (3 for 28) also proved his worth in a rare first team outing whilst Eddie Torr (2 for 20) wrapped up the tail.

The early dismissal of overseas Marc Ellison and a couple of late scalps for Stephen Wright were as good as it got for the visitors after tea as Richard Brooks (45*) and Rob Sutton (42) made hay in the drying conditions.

Notts Unity are determined to take the title race all the way though after fighting back to win a thriller against mid table Balderton. Unity posted a par 166 with Wasim Rana top scoring and the visitors looked well set on 121 for 2 with Dominic Wiffin striking 59. However the spin of Usman Mussafer (5 for 39) began to reap rewards and Balderton’s middle and late order, with the exception of Jack Beckett (22) panicked. With two runs off two balls required, Ben Savage had Paul Colcombe caught behind to leave Unity with an outside chance of the main prize.

Belvoir move up to third and they didn’t require the services of the injured Darren Bicknell as they brushed aside a Calverton (96) side for whom the end is nigh. The losers struggled all day as left armer Lee Fazackerley gained his first five wicket haul for the club. After the interval it was the turn of Charles Hubbard to shine with a run a ball fifty. Hubbard was one of the stars of last years promotion side but has had to be patient for his chance this term.

Both Gedling sides recorded vital victories at the wrong end of the table and their wins ensured that Long Eaton have now been dragged into the dogfight.

In truth, it was an uncovered track at West Park where the home side could only muster 62 against Colliery. In fact 62 was somewhat of an achievement after Long Eaton had slipped to 27 for 8 before number 9 Alan Villers showed some stomach for the fight with an unbeaten 29. For Gedling, veteran Baz Bailey (7 for 21) was magnificent in exploiting the conditions.  Jeff Burton also chipped in with three victims and was unbeaten on 21 when the winning runs were scored.

The day was slightly soured for Colliery with news of a comfortable victory for Gedling and Sherwood, their closes rivals. Samrat Sharma was again at the heart of things taking 5 for 8 as visitors Eastwood slumped to 111 all out with only Adam Leigh (47) showing any resistance. Sharma needed some help from a couple of vets who have agreed to play again. Kev Cowlishaw and Alex Norton took a couple of wickets apiece before Sharma blasted 75 in the winning reply. Colliery and Sherwood meet in a fortnight.

Hyson Green Caribs seem to be back on track in B with a second successive victory, this time at Ellerslie (186). Liaquat Ali (3 for 33) again impressed before Kaisar Altaf (48), Zak Hussain (42) and Sageer Akhtar (33*) saw the winners home.

The day got better for Caribs with a heavy defeat for second place Gotham at the revigorated  Rolls Royce.  The winners had Saleem Karim (4 for 37) and Jason Gorman (3 for 28) doing the majority of the damage before Ansar Khan (3 for 17) cleaned up the tail. Alex Haworth (58) batted really well for Gotham but he was in a minority of one as the innings fell away to 101 all out. Rolls wouldn’t be Rolls without a few batting calamities and Brad Moore managed to pick up a couple of wickets in the first over before Arslan Shah (49) and Graeme Wright (35*) did the business for the winners who now move into fourth.

Loughborough Carillon are poised to take advantage of another Gotham slip, gaining a six wicket win at Kimberley who had another nail banged into their relegation coffin. The losers did pretty quite well to post 163 after losing two early wickets and at one stage had the visitors stumbling at 61 for 4 in the subsequent chase. However, Toby Waistling, who had earlier taken three wickets, joined skipper Mark Trimmingham at the crease. The pair then each recorded fifties to ensure no further qualms.

After a couple of victories, Keyworth had a must win game at home to fellow strugglers Hucknall. However a mix up meant that the home side fielded only ten players and the day just got progressively worse. After being put into bat, Ian Graham was dismissed early and the rest, with the exception of Steve Rendu (36) could not deal with the spin twins of Jamie Braybrook (4 for 11) and Adam Scott (3 for 36), the innings finally coming to an end on 79. The total posed no problems for the in form Robin Maxwell (24*) and Adam Brown (26*) as the winners took a huge stride towards survival.

In the rollercoaster that is Division C, there was, for once, no change in the leadership as Collingham enjoyed a comfortable 68 run win at home to Bottesford (118) who are still in trouble near the foot. For Collingham Paul Todd gave the innings some impetus towards the end with an unbeaten 58 before David Pipes (6 for 41) got to work with the ball. Kirkby Portland are just behind them though winning by the margin of 64 runs at home to mid table Radcliffe (93) who had veteran Ken Stewart (6 for 64) rolling back the years. After tea Kirkby’s Rob Shead was never too far away from the action, taking two wickets, one catch and being responsible for two run outs.

Bramcote are now going to have to win their last three games to stay up after slumping to an eight wicket defeat at home to Plumtree II who still harbour hopes of promotion. Chasing 127 for victory, Plumtree’s success was built around an opening stand between Steve James (67*) and Justin Stockdale (49).

In D, leaders Gedling Colliery II suffered a second successive reversal. If that wasn’t enough it was to bottom club Nuthall who chased down the 187 target in just 37 overs thanks to Adrian Marsh (59), Andrew Finch (44) and Mark Berresford (33.) Staying near the foot and Willoughby did their survival chances a power of good with a 39 run success at home to Risley. The winners had Ishan Ul Haq starring with 4 for 16 including a hat trick.

If Newark are relegated from D they will have reoccurring nightmares about Saturdays defeat against Long Whatton. Chasing 124 to win, the losers looked well set at 113 for 5, but then inexplicably lost the last five wickets for just one run.

There were only two games possible in E and one saw Thrumpton cement their promotion place by bowling out Chilwell for just 34. For Thrumpton, Inan Malik and Adam Pick took four and three wickets respectively.  The other fixture saw a large dent put in Hucknall II’s promotion hopes as they slipped to a 36 run reversal at home to Farndon (208) for whom Mark Townrow (98) batted brilliantly.

Eastwood Town II closed the gap on leaders Ellerslie II in F without bowling a ball as the table toppers fell to 91 all out chasing 113 at East Bridgford for whom Tom Phillipson took six wickets. At the bottom doomed Bottesford II (120) and Notts Unity Casuals II met with the former just coming out on top with Paul Lever claiming five scalps in a six run win.

Whatton and Aslockton are almost home and dry in G after Alex White’s 6 for 18 bowled then to a 54 run win at home to struggling Collingham II (101). In the race to see who joins them in F, Beeston and Toton Sycamore gave their hopes a massive shot in the arm, triumphing by six wickets at home to Gedling and Sherwood (94) thanks to four wickets from Dave Fawcett. Don’t rule out East Leake just yet though, their game at West Bridgford Legion looked to be going down to the wire before Steve Oakley’s spell of four wickets without conceding a run.

None of the top three were in action in H but there was an astonishing game at Basford Hall who needed seven wickets to overhaul Edingley’s measly 39. Unsurprisingly, all the honours went to the bowlers with Ian Wilson (4 for 20) unlucky to be on the losing side.

The great escape is still on for Hyson Green II who scraped a run one win at home to Newstead Village II thanks to five wickets for Akhbar Ali.

All change in J with a heavy defeat for previous leaders Lenton Abbey at home to Belvoir II who had Steve Cartlidge and Ollie Clayfield firing 50’s before tea. After the interval, a superb spell of 12 overs 6 wickets for 5 runs from Simon Clark ensured Lenton’s reply never got going. Sutton Bonington return to the top following a 20 run success over mid table Rolls Royce II (193).

Elsewhere in J, defeats for Bingham and Beeston and Toton Sycamore II confirmed their relegations.

Kimberley III are almost there in K with three wickets apiece for Danny Williams and Steve Tilley ensuring 87 run win at home to Attenborough III (66). Ruddington look the most likely for runners up following a 137 run thrashing of Clifton Village III.

In L the eagerly awaited top two clash between Thrumpton II and Balderton II saw Balderton nicely placed on 106 for 2 chasing 141. However an incredible turnaround saw the home side lose their last 8 wickets for 22 runs as Ben Chadwick (4 for 39) and Trevor Vennett Smith (4 for 24) wreaked havoc. Balderton should not be too disheartened however as their closes rivals, Shepshed Town III also fell to a defeat.

Barring a disaster, Hucknall III and Broad Street OB look to have the promotion places sewn up in M. Leaders Hucknall had a few trials and tribulation chasing 105 at Farndon before Jack Pates (51*) and Paul Close (31) saw them home.

However the day’s outstanding individual performance came in this division as Elliott Burnett (7 for 9) followed up a superb display with the ball by striking an unbeaten 50 as hosts Lambley II thrashed Newark II (89) by ten wickets.

In N, second place Wymeswold II had the Hayes brother and sister act starring again. Louisa took four wickets and 14 year old Jack three as they easily overcame the challenge of Ellerslie III (55).

Hoveringham II are only a couple of wins away from the title in P, however they had an unlikely match winner in the shape of Tim Wood (59) who has recently starting playing again after years away from the game.

And finally in R, Madni look like they will end their first season in the league with a title. Saturday saw 14 year old Umar Saddique (4 for 26) and Usama Sapru (37) in the honours as the team won by four wickets at Bingham II (143).