PAPPLEWICK AND LINBY 256-6
WOLLATON 161-9

But at least they registered a haul of 18 points from a winning draw to keep them ahead in the exciting four-horse title-race.

The highlight of the game was a sparkling century by 22-year-old Sri Lankan star Kosela Kulasekara.

Batting for only 83 minutes at number three, Kulasekara cracked 102, which included five sixes and four fours.

He went in after a solid opening stand of 58 between openers Graeme Roberts (36) and John Wakeling (21) and proceeded to boss a partnership of 82 in only ten overs with Taimoor Khan (27, two sixes and two fours).

Wollaton's attack was struck to all parts, most notably their former Notts CCC spinner, Paul McMahon, who went for 88 in 15 overs, despite taking three wickets.

Charlie Dagnall also added a breezy 34 not out (three sixes and one four) as Papplewick amassed a thumping total in their allotted 50 overs.

In reply, visitors Wollaton reached 95 for two in the hands of Ed Savill (39, three fours), Scott Elstone (38, six fours) and Simon Allcoat (21, one six and three fours).

But they were always behind the clock and when they tried to up the tempo, wickets tumbled.

They sank to 119 for six by the 33rd over as Jim Rhodes (four for 36 in 15 overs) and Richard Hodgkinson (three for 53 in 14) turned the screw.

And Papplewick looked sure to claim victory when two wickets for man-of-the-match Kulasekara (two for 48 in 13 overs) reduced Wollaton to 132 for eight with nine overs left.

But they were fended off by stubborn number six Gulson, who stayed 67 minutes for 20 not out, and last man Gerry McMahon, who helped to bat out the final four overs and frustrate Papplewick.