Report 06.08.11
Gunn and Moore South Notts Cricket League Report Saturday 6 August 2011
By Phil Johnson
Plumtree provided the perfect riposte to last week’s setback in Belle and Jerome Division A by Hammering poor Balderton (53).
The winners took first knock and lost Nigel Finney (18) who had to retire hurt. However, contributions from the top order of Paul White (47), Michael Tew (33), Matthew Wood (35) and Steve James (45) ensured a more than competitive 230 was set for victory. For Balderton, Paul Colcolmb (3 for 69) again took wickets late on.
Balderton are badly missing the influential but injured Tim Clipsham and lost the first three batsmen for a combined total of 5. Dominic Wiffin was making a fight of it but fell victim to a questionable caught behind with his score on 30. The losers lost the middle order, all leg before and Scott Bailey finished things off by taking the final four wickets in one over. In a woeful effort, the second top score was 4 as Bailey (5 for 23) and Matt Milnes (4 for 11) caused the carnage. Plumtree stretch the gap at the top to fifteen points with four games remaining.
Unity Casuals picked up seventeen points but will be kicking themselves for not going on to claim the maximum twenty at Hyson Green who fall to bottom.
It was an afternoon of chasing leather for the strugglers with a third successive century for Ravinderpal Singh. The Indian fired a majestic 157 to become the leagues leading run scorer, hitting 14 fours and 9 sixes in the process. It wasn’t a one man show with fifties for Adeel Shafique and Dominic Terkowski and 45 from James Marshall. Unity ended with an impossible 355 leaving Hyson Green to attempt to survive.
This at first proved futile as Caribs slipped to 109 for 7 but not for the first time this season, Suhail Ahmed became the saviour. The keeper batted superbly for 70 and shared in a 91 stand for the eighth wicket with ex Unity man Moshin Qayyum (31). When the latter was run out Osama Alam (8*) joined Ahmed and the pair defied the odds to bat out on 223 for 8.
Rolls Royce Leisure got back to winning ways and for the first time this season, their much maligned batting clicked without any mishaps.
Southwell batted well early doors with Tim Green (78) and Matty Davis (33) opening up, followed by Sam Johnson (43) at 3. The second half of the innings was a disappointment with the home side kept in check by Waheed Khan (2 for 24) and Liquat Ali (2 for 46) and the innings fell away somewhat on to conclude on 202.
The game was partially over after the Karim brothers of Wasim (50) and Rahim (57) put on 90 in just 11 overs. Mahmood Elani (41*) and Amar Shah (38*) completed the job with more than ten overs to spare.
From looking dead and buried a fortnight ago, two victories have taken Attenborough out of the relegation spots.
Visitors Ellerslie posted 241 with Caleb Mierklans top scoring with 52 and brother Daniel (30) and Heider Ali (31) also chipping in. For the winners, Arjun singh (4 for 53) continued his good season whilst Martin Rayner (3 for 72) provided support.
It would be fair to say the total represented a monumental task for a team that has batted poorly all season. However it was a positive display with skipper Andy Simkiss (72) leading the way. Sam Clulow (50) also stepped up to the plate at 3 whilst Craig Heiden (50) and Alec McKinlay (21) kept up the good work. The game entered the final over and Tom Murray hit the boundary required with four balls remaining.
Radcliffe’s slide down the table continued with a 28 run reversal at home to Hucknall (187). There were starts in the top order from Scott Harris (29), Richard Cross (25) and Aaron Lee (22) whilst impetus at the end was provided by professional Josh Buckley (36). Eddie Torr (5 for 53) was the star man for Radcliffe as he followed up some promising contributions with the bat.
The story behind Radcliffe’s innings was two exquisite bowling performances from Robin Maxwell (6 for 36) and Buckley (4 for 57). Radcliffe, with the exception of Dan Mason (42) had no answer to their pace and fell to a third straight defeat.
Leaders Clifton Village II are guaranteed a place in the top two in Cucamara Division B without hitting a ball after Gedling Colliery (129) fell to a heavy loss at Gotham.
Only Graham Burton (57) mastered the home bowling attack of Paul Blatherwick (4 for 15), Rob Goddard (3 for 33) and Brett James (2 for 44). In reply there was a contribution from 14 year old Bradley North (33) and fellow youngster James Burton (32*) and when quick runs were needed Goddard (36) entered the fray to see his side home by five wickets. Gotham’s win sees them climb out of the relegation places.
Gedling’s defeat was a tonic for West Bridgfordians who extended the gap in second following a 17 point winning draw at home to Collingham who still need a win or two to guarantee survival.
The home side made 210 with Henry Straw falling six runs shy of a deserved century. Andy Sharpe, after a quiet few weeks fired 53 in a final total of 210 off a reduced 46 overs.
Seventeen year old James Cousins (59) again top scored in the reply but the innings needed veterans Joe Edge (33) and David Pipes (28) to go on and make fifty. Instead both got out at vital times and the innings fell away on 177 for 7 with Chris Navin (2 for 22) the pick of the bowlers.
Long Eaton have fallen into the relegation zone following a three wicket reversal at home to Eastwood whose remarkable turnaround continues.
Tim Taylor (51) batted his way back to form, sharing in an opening stand of 72 with stand in opener Kieran Cooke (26). Brett Scothern weighed in with 34 but the home side will be disappointed with their final 152 after being 114 for 2 at one stage, For Eastwood, their youthful attack of Jake Humphreys (3 for 28), James Longden (2 for 41) and Hitesh Godhania (2 for 41) continues to earn the plaudits.
It was nip and tuck in Eastwood’s reply to begin with skipper Neil Gregory run out without facing a ball and Adam Smith (30) and Steven Leese (31) both getting out when well set. However the trump card was played in the shape of Gordon Pearson who can win a game in a short space of time. Pearson hit 36 in 21 balls and Eastwood were home for a fourth successive win.
There was another inept display from bottom club Gedling & Sherwood who look set for a second consecutive relegation.
The losers managed only ten men and 119 at Calverton with only Keith Hammond (31) hanging around. For the winners Brinsley Kirkham (4 for 21) and Will Marris (2 for 17) did most of the damage. There was no way back for Gedling following an opening stand of 80 between Darren Wright (52*) and Callum Jayes (33) with Eddie Lee (25*) polishing off the win in just 22 overs.
It was a strange day in Rothera Dowson Division C with the top three all suffering setbacks in their quest for promotion.
Leaders Wollaton II found Newstead Village an altogether different proposition from the previous week with skipper Nick Rose making an excellent century. Chasing 199 to win, Wollaton faltered to Dan Greenhalgh (4 for 41) and Nick Hand (2 for 34) and the last pair batted out the final three overs to close on 168 for 9 giving Newstead 18 welcome points.
Hoveringham, dismissed for 62 seven days ago made an excellent 252 at home to Kirkby Portland thanks largely to Ben Lee (72) and Nick Walton (49). Kirkby though gave it their best shot in pursuit with Richard Underhill making 51 and Jason Caunt 46. Twelve runs were required off two overs when Brett Lear bowled last man Dan Severn to finish with figures of 4 for 80.
Kimberley failed to capitalise though and have hit the wall at the wrong time. Radcliffe had Tom Johnson (37) and old campaigner Paul Richardson (45) making runs in the top order but the telling contribution came when Mark Fish came to the crease. Fish hit 68 in just 32 balls including two colossal sixes to see the visitors end on 260 for 7.
Kimberley batted well through James Griffiths (70*), Paul Blatherwick (44) and Ben Johnson (34) but the challenge was too stiff and they fell 24 runs short gaining a losing draw in the process.
Wilsons were again on the wrong end of a 5pm finish and they now look odds on for a return to D. Visitors Attenborough II had Carl Whelan claiming his second successive six wicket haul with the home side shot out for 63. Martin Shoemaker (32*) ensured there was no slip ups.
Struggling and depleted Gedling Colliery II watched in awe as Thurgarton’s Colin Cliff struck a superb undefeated 144. Supported by James Mitchell (74) and Danny Orwin (33) the visitors ended on a whopping 291 which was way too many for a dejected Colliery (79) who succumbed in just 23 overs to Ben Powell (5 for 19), Niels Hart (2 for 20) and Christian Dutton (2 for 18).
The top of the table clash in Milward Printing Division D was tantalisingly poised with Risley requiring 100 to win in 13.2 overs at Keyworth (213) before heavy rain proved the ultimate winner.
Third placed Thrumpton made 196 at Bramcote but then dropped previous week’s centurion Pete Gooden on nought. The spillage proved costly as Gooden fired 69 and Dave Green 37 to guide Bramocte past the 197 required with two wickets intact.
Hope springs eternal for Willoughby who move off the bottom with an unlikely victory at home to mid table West Bridgfordians II (189). The home side looked down and out at 67 for 5 before the match winning partnership between Simon Pickerell (74*) and Joe Wood (41). Could Willoughby survive on the last day again for the fourth time in five seasons?
There is no change at the top in Star Foundation Division E with wins for Ellerslie II (262) and Hucknall II. Ellerslie’s win was more straightforward over Underwood (91) with Todd Mills firing 72 in 39 balls including 6 maximums.
Farnodon stay in touch in third but only just following a tie with neighbours East Bridgford. The game looked up for Farndon when they could only muster 128 but an inspired spell of 6 for 23 from Stuart Hay and a last gasp slip catch by Mark Everington saw the honours shared.
The great escape looks well and truly on for Wymeswold who hammered mid table Hickling (88) by eight wickets. The star of the show was undoubtedly Richard Shelton (6 for 25) who took four wickets in an over.
Kinoulton won the game of the day In F and with it promotion after Tom Richards struck 114 of the 167 required at Eastwood II (167). Barring a disaster, Eastwood should join Kinoulton in E in 2012.
There was a comfortable win for leaders Belvoir Ii in GB Bookkeeping Division G but now there was a change in second where Notts Unity II (126) lost again, this time to West Bridgfordians III. The defeat was all of their own making too with Chris Proctor of the winners dropped six times on his way to 42.
The trap door opened for Oxton (124) who suffer relegation following a five wicket reversal at home to East Leake. This fate has seemed inevitable from April after the loss of key players such as Mike Berry and James Crudgington.
Sutton Bonington were the big winners in H by beating leaders Flintham (138) by 12 runs. Man of the match was Adam King who took for 5 for 37. Elsewhere, Gedling and Sherwood II (136) are embroiled in a dog fight at the bottom after losing to Bramcote II by five wickets. However, a pang of sympathy may be felt for the losers after falling victim to seven LBW decisions whilst batting.
It is still neck and neck at the top in J with both Thrumpton II and Kimberley III gaining maximum points. These two play each other next week. Bingham (271) remain hot on their heels following a dominant display at home to Keyworth II (160). For Bingham, Tom Spencer (62) and Jack Teague (45 & 3 for 12) played leading roles.
Plumtree III have shot to the top in K with their latest win coming at Underwood II (183) thanks to 57 from Chris Kerrison. Earlier in the day, 14 year old spinner Stanley Carter (4 for 53) added to his growing reputation.
It was a bad day at the office for Risley II (109) in King Stone Products Division L as they slipped out of the promotion places. Their conquerors were Long Whatton II and it was no surprise that it was Mark Taylor (5 for 18) who played a prominent part. Hucknall III take their place in the second and a mix of young and old did the trick with Max Thompson (38*) and Andy Wagstaff (32) chasing down the 141 set by Stapleford.
In Division M, leaders Belvoir III fell to a shock defeat at bottom club Radcliffe. The heroes in the successful run chase of 175 were Christy Sullivan (85*) and Nick Cookson (43*). Before tea there were three wickets for Derek Gilchrist at the ripe old age of 73!
The performance of the day in N was by Naz Saleem who blasted 140 out of 307 for Wollaton III at Attenborough IV (156). Wollaton remain right in the promotion frame. It was a red letter day too for 13 year old Jack Blatherwick who struck his first senior fifty for Kimberley IV at home to Hoveringham II.
A teenager shone too in Oval Property finance Division P where fifteen year old Dan Noble fired a maiden senior ton for Eastwood III in their 120 run thrashing of Great Dalby (108).
Finally Notts Unity III and East Leake II continue to jostle for pole position in R. Unity chased down 203 at Great Dalby with Chas Jandhu (63*) hitting the winning runs off the penultimate delivery whilst East Leake successfully defended 103 at home to Notts Royals (53) thanks to Mark Bashford (4 for 6) and Tim Wilks (5 for 10).
