Hard going for leaders Clipstone

While Clipstone must still be favourites to take the Bassetlaw Championship title, they are at the present time finding things are not as easy as it looked about a month ago.
Callum McKenzie  acknowledges the applause as he reaches 50 not out  -Pic by: Richard ParkesCallum McKenzie  acknowledges the applause as he reaches 50 not out  -Pic by: Richard Parkes
Callum McKenzie acknowledges the applause as he reaches 50 not out -Pic by: Richard Parkes

Their latest outing was a trip to Central Avenue, Worksop where they came unstuck once again, big style.

Batting first, Worksop made a useful looking 236 all out with Connor Smith top scoring with a well-crafted 76 runs whilst West Indian Justin Braithwaite (4-67) was the pick of the Clipstone attack.

However, it was one of those days for Clipstone where people got in and people got out with Justin Braithwaite (34), Craig Brittlebank (37) and Ian Woodall (33 not out) all scoring well but not going through with the effort when it was needed.

Sensing this was their day, Worksop bowled and fielded quite brilliantly with South African Bernhard Beukman leading the way with 3-24 as Clipstone crumbled to 201 all out and defeat.

Worksop deserved this 35-run win while Clipstone need to get the consistent run going again as other teams are now beginning to ease closer to them.

Farnsfield kept up the pressure with a massive 118-run win over Anston, who have slumped alarmingly in recent weeks.

Batting first, Farnsfield made a massive 276-4 with Andrew Bell being unfortunate to not make a century when he was out for an excellent 86.

Callum McKenzie (70) and Curtis Mitchell (76 not out) helped bolster the score as Anston toiled in the searing heat.

It was a different story when Anston batted as they were blasted out for just 158 and once again only Amila Perera (70) looked anything like a batsman.

Without the Sri Lankan, this side in their current form look as though they would be nailed on certainties for relegation with so many players out of form.

Jamie Wagstaff (3-28) and Dave Loveridge (3-50) helped Farnsfield to a comfortable maximum points haul.

Apart from last week’s rain washout, Papplewick and Linby had taken out four maximums on the spin, and they made it five with a rather easy win 121 run win over Glapwell.

Papplewick got just the start they needed with Alex Lloyd and Joe Walker scoring at will until the former was bowled by Danny Bircumshaw for 45.

A bright and breezy knock of 52 by Mark Nelson sent the scoring rate racing, but the innings belonged to Joe Walker, who carried his bat for a splendid unbeaten 82 as Papplewick closed on 248-6. Josh Stone (3-47) was the pick of the Glapwell attack with 3-47.

After a good opening from Stephen Gooding (32) and Luke Smith (33), it was all one-way traffic as Jim Rhodes (4-35) and Richard Hodgkinson (4-20) bowled Glapwell out for 127.

Without doubt, Papplewick’s poor start left them at a disadvantage but don’t write them off. If they keep winning like this, things could really surprise everyone.

Thoresby Colliery strode to one of the biggest wins of the season as they annihilated Kiveton Park by a mammoth 202 runs at Fourth Avenue.

Martin Cheshire (35), Australian Chris Bennett (79) and Shailesh Patel (62) all contributed to a massive 255-8 while James Gilbert (3-75) ploughed a lonely furrow for a badly out-gunned Kiveton side.

Worse was to follow as Kiveton were spun out for just 53 runs! Nobody could make anything of Jack Willis (3-7) and Aqib Farook (3-12) as Thoresby strode to one of the easiest victories they will ever achieve.

Killamarsh came out fighting against Notts & Arnold Amateur and won by a comfortable 80 runs. Michael Spence (73), James Daniel (51) and Richard Dewsbury (36) all batted well as Killamarsh reached an excellent 262-9. Jordan Finney (3-77) and Liam Patterson-White (4-74) bowled well for Notts & Arnold, but this score looked rather daunting.

They did at least make a fist of things before being bowled out for just 182. Vinay Landa top-scored with 40, but nobody could conquer the wiles of Parminder Mudhar, who was on his best form taking 5-67 in a great spell of slow bowling.

North Wheatley with Leverton captured a winning draw against Caythorpe II.

The highlight of this match was a magnificent 121 by Luke Tong, who showed a maturity way beyond his young years and flayed the bowling of Caythorpe all over the ground. Richard Robinson added 50 while Geoff Crook (4-47) was the pick of the Caythorpe attack.

In reply, Caythorpe managed 162-8 with James Hemmings (54) and Oliver Clarke (32) top-scoring. Callum Harrison (4-45) was the major threat and he made sure Caythorpe could never get in distance to win this one.