Farnsfield ease towards the Bassetlaw title

Farnsfield moved a step closer to the Bassetlaw League Championship title as they swept aside the challenge of Thoresby Colliery with contemptuous ease at Station Lane on Saturday
NMAC-06092014-Farnsfield v Thoresby
Thoresby's Dominic LeeNMAC-06092014-Farnsfield v Thoresby
Thoresby's Dominic Lee
NMAC-06092014-Farnsfield v Thoresby Thoresby's Dominic Lee

Once Thoresby had been dismissed for 151 the writing was on the wall and, although they lost six wickets in achieving what they required, the result was never in much doubt.

Andrew Bell (3-31) and Dave Loveridge (4-28) were the wreckers-in-chief for Farnsfield.

Thoresby did make huge inroads into the Farnsfield early order, but they have such strength in depth that one always feels that one of them will come off. Once again that theory proved to be right.

Callum McKenzie was the leading light on this occasion with an assured unbeaten 89 whilst Jack Willis (3-48) tried his best to stem the tide.

Clipstone lost a further bit of ground when they could only muster a winning draw against North Wheatley with Leverton.

Barbadian Justin Braithwaite got Clipstone away to their customary barnstorming start and made 76 before he was dismissed.

Great support came from Brad Wright (52) and Craig Brittlebank (42) while Callum Harrison bowled brilliantly to record figures of 5-56.

However Clipstone’s all out total of 266 set a massive target and North Wheatley made an excellent effort scoring 179-8 but could never keep up with the pace required.

Jon Loates top-scored with 39 while Lee Wilson (5-54) bowled superbly and kept the stranglehold on the North Wheatley scoring.

Worksop produced the shock of the day, scoring a 29-run win against Papplewick & Linby.

It was even more surprising as Worksop were bowled out for just 159 with Richard Hodgkinson (3-48) and Reuben Singh (5-18) creating all the havoc.

What looked like being an easy task turned into a nightmare for Papplewick as they were bowled out for a miserable 130.

Only Joe Walker (57) applied himself to the job in hand while Harry Taylor (4-47) and Wayne Spooner (3-18) bowled Worksop to a meritorious victory.

None of the other three games survived the weather and finished early.

Anston made 187-8 with Callum Smith (50) and Amila Perera (49) batting well.

Danny Bircumshaw bowled brilliantly to take 3 for 22 and Scott Smith helped himself to 4-38. In reply Glapwell were 74-1, with Steve Gooding unbeaten on 37.

Who would have won this one is anybody’s guess and while Glapwell were going well, Amila Perera still had 10 overs to bowl and even when he is not taking wickets he is very difficult to score off.

Killamarsh made 193-9 in their vital game against Caythorpe II with Steve Ludlam (47) and James Daniel (57) both batting well. Andrew Staszkiewicz (4-50) caused most of the trouble.

Chasing this total, Caythorpe looked as though they might have done it as the rain fell with them on 156-5 with James Hemmings batting confidently on 40 not out. John Kneale (47) and Andrew Staszkiewicz (35), who enjoyed a fine all-round match, had set up the victory charge, but both sides had to be content with 11 points each. Parminder Mudhar (4-40) was the pick of the Killamarsh attack.

Notts & Arnold Amateur rattled up 240-5 at Kiveton Park who replied with 66-2 before the weather intervened.

Connor Brindley (47) and Sam Ecob, with a magnificent 117, batted superbly well for Notts & Arnold while Alex Gilbert (32) had moved Kiveton away to a good start.