Blatherwick and Botha inspire landslide win for Papplewick and Linby

Sizzling bowling by Charlie Blatherwick, followed by explosive batting by Leon Botha, combined to propel promotion-chasing Papplewick and Linby to a landslide victory.
THE BIG BASH -- Papplewick and Linby batsman Leon Botha, who hammered an unbeaten century off only 46 balls.THE BIG BASH -- Papplewick and Linby batsman Leon Botha, who hammered an unbeaten century off only 46 balls.
THE BIG BASH -- Papplewick and Linby batsman Leon Botha, who hammered an unbeaten century off only 46 balls.

Young spinner Blatherwick returned superb figures of 6-18 from 8.1 overs to destroy the batting of home side, North Wheatley with Leverton, who crumbled from 72-3 to 131 all out.

And then South African opener Botha blasted an amazing, unbeaten century off only 46 balls to race Papplewick to their victory target inside 17 overs with all wickets intact.

It was a demolition job that lifted Sam Ogrizovic’s troops into second place in the Bassetlaw League, Championship table in what is fast developing into a four-horse race for that prized promotion spot into the Notts Premier League.

They sit nine points behind leaders Farnsfield and just in front of Clipstone Welfare and Thoresby Colliery, who are third and fourth. This Saturday, they entertain fifth-placed Retford at Papplewick Hall.

With so much rain affecting other games in the league, Papplewick were delighted to get under way at Wheatley and, on winning the toss, Ogrizovic put the north Nottinghamshire hosts in.

Early breakthroughs were made by new-ball duo Jim Rhodes (2-22 in 12 overs) and Gareth Blinkhorn (1-33 in 11 overs) to leave the hosts rocking on 29-3, and although Luke Tong (34) and Edward Tofts (25) threatened a recoovery with five boundaries apiece in a stand worth 43, the picture changed dramatically when Blatherwick entered the fray.

First, he removed dangerman Tong, and once he had bowled Tofts, he had the Wheatley batsmen in the palm of his hands, quickly reducing the total to 107-8.

Jamie Sizer did hold up the inevitable for a while, making a defiant 21no, but a run out by Botha and Blatherwick’s final wicket brought the innings to a close in the 39th over.

Papplewick’s reply had to be seen to be believed. The 31-year-old Botha could not be held back as he hammered no fewer than seven sixes and 12 fours in an assault of exactly 100no. At the other end, Joe Walker was happy to anchor and admire as he added an undefeated 25 (four fours). It took the pair just 102 deliveries to knock off the required runs, leaving the home bowlers shellshocked and shattered.

A WONDERFUL day for Papplewick was completed by their second-team, who inflicted a surprise defeat on Lea And Roses, the runaway leaders of the Bassetlaw League’s Second Division.

Fine bowling by Danny Greenhalgh (4-21 in nine overs) and Alex Hudson (4-23 in 6.4 overs) shot out the Gainsborough visitors for just 110. And although Papplewick lost six wickets of their own in reply, a cool, unbeaten 25 (four fours) from skipper Mick Blatherwick guided them home by the 37th over.

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