Report 23.7.11
Gunn and Moore south Notts Cricket League Report Saturday 23 July 2011
By Phil Johnson
Plumtree completed another successful run chase at the summit of Belle & Jerome Division A and now look hot favourites for a return to the Premier League.
Their latest victims were Hucknall (238) who have struggled of late, particularly with their batting. However, the losers may have just solved one of their problem opening slots with Aaron Lee firing an impressive 86. Robin Maxwell (61) continued his good season whilst Richard Greatorex (35) also chipped in.
The catalyst behind the victory was a second wicket stand between Hassan Azad (83) and Matthew Wood (48) who took the score on to 178 for 2. A comfortable victory looked on the cards, however four quick wickets then fell before Chris Mortimer (25*) saw his team home with five overs to spare.
Rolls Royce Leisure kept up the pressure in second though in an ill tempered affair at Radcliffe (215). The home side took first knock and overseas Josh Brodie (57) top scored whilst Rob Sutton’s 44 took him to exactly 700 runs for the season. For Rolls there were three wickets apiece for Liquat Ali and Akhtar Shafiq.
Jason Gorman has performed consistently well with the ball since his move to Rolls, however he would be the first to admit that he hasn’t done himself justice with the bat. That all changed Saturday with Gorman taking full advantage of his promotion up the order. With Mahbood Elana making 42 on his debut Rolls looked home and dry on 190 for 3. But then the old frailties returned with five cheap wickets falling, including two in two balls for Sutton (4 for 51). However, Gorman (97*) and Rolls weren’t to be denied as the man of the match hoisted Sutton over the boundary for the winning runs.
Balderton were hoping to make it three wins on the bounce at home to Unity (257), but they committed the cardinal sin of dropping the overseas player as early as the first over.
Ravinderpal Singh, who has made plenty of starts this season, went on to make a stupendous 148, including 13 fours and 6 sixes. Maneesh Mishra (30) provided some support and Balderton were left with a mountain to climb despite another four wickets for Marlon Franklin.
To their credit, Balderton gave it a good go in reply but lacked the big contribution in the top order with Dominic Wiffin (28) and Michael Duffy (28) getting out when well set. There was hope with an eighth wicket partnership between Chris Dobbie and Paul Colcomb (28). However, once the latter was dismissed it was a case of survival and this they achieved thanks to the in form Dobbie (69*). Balderton finished on 207 for 9 after batting out the last five overs to leave Unity still in with an outside chance of the title.
The other two games centred around the lower reaches of the table and Southwell put some daylight between them and the bottom two with a 67 run victory at home to bottom club Attenborough (142).
Andrew Wibberley (53) and Tim Green (47) got runs in the top order whilst there was a welcome contribution from Matt Wookey 49*) late on. Attenborough just cant get going with the bat and an explosive spell from South African James Johnstone accounted for the top three of Murray, Shoemaker and McKinlay for just two runs between them. Craig Heiden made 44 and Jason Tibbitts battled away for 26, but the overseas player has been frustrated with his efforts with the bat to date. Six wickets for Johnstone and two apiece for Ted Behl and Steve Wright led southwell to a fifth win in seven games.
Hyson Green started well with an opening stand of 92 between Ashan Tariq (58) and Amar Khan (30). Surunga Morathota (42) and twenty five each from Shahid Khan and Zaheer Rehman left Ellerslie chasing a formidable 260 to win. For the visitors, there was four wickets for Usman Mussafer and three for Heider Ali.
Ellerslie looked in disarray at 20 for 3 with the teenage attack of Osama Alam (2 for 50) and Jason Elliott accounting for Caleb Mierklans, Sivayoganathan and Wakeling cheaply. However, that was as good as it got for the home side with a league record partnership of 241 for the fourth wicket between Dan Mierkalns (110*) and Kane Wilson (98*). This defeat sees Hyson Green remain in the bottom two.
Clifton Village II march on in Cucamara Division B but surely even they would not have foreseen such a turnaround in their home game against Long Eaton. Clifton’s usually formidable top order was blown apart by Alan Villiers (3 for 24) and Ryan Cuthbert (3 for 22), and even 94 all out was probably better than what they expected after being 20 for 6 at one stage.
Clifton are champions elect for a reason though and unchanged spells from left armer Richard McDermott (5 for 21) and Paul MacMillan (5 for 39) claimed an improbable 32 run success.
The battle is on for second though with Gedling Colliery closing the gap with a nine wicket thrashing of Gedling and Sherwood. The visitors have gone into meltdown in the last few weeks and could only manage 133 with Matt Oliver (40) top scoring. It was a day for the old campaigners with Jeff Burton (4 for 56) and Baz Bailey (4 for 29) impressing.
Shane Pidgeon (70) carried on the veterans theme after tea, sharing in an opening 129 stand with Danny O’Brien (41*) to leave the losers bottom of the pile.
Scott Andrew (132*) was in sparkling form for Calverton at home to Plumtree II, as was Eddie Lee (97). Fourteen year old Ryan Evans (38) did his bit too and Calverton could even afford to declare after 44 overs with the score on a whopping 308 for 2.
In reply Rob Tapp made 72 but three wickets for Kyle Welch and two for William Armstrong ensured an unlikely run chase never materialised. Plumtree closed on 203 for 7 with both sides remaining in mid table.
Survival is definitely on now for Eastwood with an 82 run win at fellow strugglers Gotham Village (178).
Opener Jason Woolliscroft stroked and edged his way to an unlikely 96 whilst a run a ball 56 from keeper Steven Leese gave the innings some further momentum at the death.
Chasing 261 to win, the task became impossible when five of Gotham’s top six were dismissed for just eight between them. Makeshift opener Brad Moore battled gamely for 30 but Gotham were well beaten and only got to 178 thanks to 40 from number ten Tom Cooper. Credit must go to the young Eastwood attack with James Longden (5 for 44) once again the star. If Gotham were to be relegated they would find themselves playing at their lowest level for forty years.
Kimberley II remain top in Rothara Dowson division C, but only just after falling to a heavy defeat at home to closest challengers Wollaton II.
Plenty of batsmen made starts for the losers but they were in check by Suman Shrestha (4 for 42) and Alec Cobbett (4 for 55). Chasing 170 to win, the reply was centred round an excellent unbeaten century from Mark Elliott who guided his team through with more than six overs remaining.
Promotion challengers Kirkby Portland also missed out in the North Notts derby at improving Newstead Village. Kirkby made only 155 and this was no problem for the winners who knocked the runs off for the loss of four wickets thanks to skipper Nick Rose (79) and Adam Kalka (43*).
Attenborough II remain bottom in C and a lack of cutting edge with the ball was their downfall on Saturday. The losers batted well enough with Ian Baddeley (71*) and Pete Turner (44) contributing to a final score of 207.However, this proved to be a fairly comfortable task for mid table Radcliffe II who had Will Torr (78), Ian Noblet (55) and Mark Fish (36) in the runs.
Staying around the foot of the table and there was a much needed victory for Wilsons at home to Gedling Colliery II who themselves have been dragged into trouble.
Extras top scored for the winners with 31, whilst Adil Murtaza (29), Nadeem Ghani (28), Doud Ali (27) and Rizwan Khan (26) all played their part to get the score up to 175 for 9.
It was certainly an achievable target, but there was no way back for Colliery after falling to 6 for 5. 84 was their ultimate response with Zane Naveed (6 for 40) producing his best display of the season.
Thurgarton were hoping to build on a couple of decent performances and posted 168 at Hoveringham with Ben Powell (33) and James Mitchell (29) the chief contributors. Keeper Richard Coleman made 58 in the chase and it went to the wire before Murray de Bank and Steven Campbell saw Hoveringham through with two wickets intact. Thurgarton had Colin Cliff claiming five catches but as a result of this defeat drop back into the relegation places.
Risley go top in Milward Print Division D after a surprise defeat for previous leaders Thrumpton (173) at West Bridgfordians II. What made the result even more pleasing for the winners was that is was 14 year old Ben Shaw (39) and 15 year old Alistair Petitt (34*) that took centre stage.
Keyworth move into second following a close fought four wicket win at home to Long Whatton (173). Rob Beake (60) top scored in the win but the real star was 15 year old Sam Wood (25*) who kept a cool head when needed and even finished the game off with a six.
Down at the other end of the scale, time is running out for Willoughby (129) who came a poor second at home to Bottesford (215) who had Simon claricaotes (52), Jim Ward (65* & 3 for 26) and Dave Warburton (6 for 27) sharing the honours. At one stage though Willoughby were 98 for 1 off 17 overs in the run chase before an inexplicable collapse.
Southwell II will be thankful that there is just to be one team relegated from D this season after they fell to a seventh defeat in ten games at Bramcote (283). They more than played their part on Saturday though, falling just 29 runs short in an entertaining encounter. Earlier in the day, Pete Gooden (111*) and Dave Green (87) had piled on the runs.
It is as you were in Star Foundation Division E with wins for the top three of Ellerslie II, Hucknall II and Farndon.
Ellerslie (245) were victors by 62 runs at home to Hickling who had popular Australian Wayne Daniell making 46 in his last game for the club before returning home. Farndon have uncovered a run machine in the form of Daniel Hubbard who hit his third consecutive century in his team’s 88 run win at home to Caythorpe III (180).
Another player having a fine season is Ian Lobb of Hucknall II and his undefeated 92 went a long way to ensuring a crushing seven wicket success at home to Wymeswold (162).
No change at the top either in F with wins for Kinoulton and Eastwood II who hold a huge advantage over the rest of the chasing pack. Unfortunately Epperstone (97) looked doomed after another poor batting display at Stanton by Dale (225) who had Ian Bellamy (101) recording an excellent century.
It is tighter in GB Bookkeeping Division G though where Notts Unity II (187) were knocked off their perch by Gotham II whohad Kevin Brown and Greg Millward firing fities in a six wicket win.
There was a tense encounter at Bevloir II where second met third in the shape of Burton Joyce. The visitors racked up 209 thanks to Kris Seymour (91) and Dean Cowdell (71) but Belvoir II chased and chased before Cowdell bowled Danny Gibson with the scores level to bring to an end a pulsating game of cricket.
Flintham stay top in H and Matt Lyas’ unbeaten 70 takes his tally to 364 in 5 games. Second place Rolls Royce Lesiure II were in a hurry and demolished Bramcote II for 36 with five wickets for Andrew Pearson and four for Ian Wade.
It is all to play for in J with six teams still having a realistic shot of the title. Leaders Lambley (217) were dethroned at Thrumpton II with Ian Malik hitting the winning runs with three balls remaining. Kimberley III remain in the pack with Max Sugarman (44*) and Tim Wheatley (39*) winning a low scoring at encounter at Attenborough III (135).
Woodborough climb back to the top in K and Matt Lane’s five wicket haul played a major part in their 49 run win at home to Plumtree III (155) for whom veteran Matt Dring top scored with 48.
Young Lions’s proud unbeaten record in King Stone Products Division L looked in serious doubt when closest rivals Risley II were 90 for 2 chasing 155. However, Raj Bhatti (4 for 22) and Ravi Digwa (3 for 39) turned the game around for the leaders who ran out winners by 21 runs.
In a game played in excellent spirit, Belvoir III (118) just managed to hold on to top spot in M by the slender margin of four runs at West Bridgfordians IV who had Tom Crossland (5 for 20) claiming the man of the match award.
Into N and there is no stopping Hoveringham who claimed win number 12 at Madni (137) thanks to 51 from Mike Cupit and three wickets each for Darryl Porter and Rashid Akhtar.
There are new leaders in Oval Property Finance Division P where Kinoulton II ran out easy winners at home to Eastwood III (90). For the winners Raz Ul Haq (4 for 28) and Tom Davies (52*) played prominent roles.
Finally, age is no barrier in cricket as Pete Mason of Collingham III proved. At the ripe old age of 63 he produced the days best figures of 8 for 22 but even that couldn’t bring his side a much needed win as 33 and 6 for 31 for Aditi Babla of Stanton by Dale II (115) single handledly claimed a 12 run success.
