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Cricket: Bowlers are on top
BOWLERS ruled the roost at the Rookery on Saturday, as 22 wickets clattered with only 213 runs scored.
DIVISION ONE
Whitwell 150 all out
Mansfield HM II 63 all out
Opting to bat first, Whitwell's Thomas (28) made an explosive start against his former club before departing in the sixth over.
Draycott (25) and Wheatley (23) pushed the score on to 90-1 at the halfway point but, with the stage set for a second half onslaught, the lower order got stage fright and perished one after the other with off-spinner Kilvington (4-26) the pick of the bowlers.
With only a small target to defend both opening bowlers rallied to their captain's call for tight disciplined bowling.
Shaw (3-26) and Ragg (2-20) both used the humid conditions to swing the ball.
The fielding was close to faultless and Westerby (3-7) and Stuart (2-10) wrapped up the tail with great efficiency to land Whitwell 20 points.
DIVISION TWO
Sherwood Colliery 144 all out
Clumber Park 147 for 4
CLUMBER consolidated top spot with a solid performance against a plucky Sherwood side on Saturday.
Having elected to bat, Sherwood made a cautious start against some probing bowling from the hosts.
Despite their efforts, the bowlers couldn't force a breakthrough and the visitors belied their league position to post 50 without loss.
On an afternoon that was muggier than a Glastonbury mosh-pit, Clumber could have wilted in the field, but when Simon Dean (1-19) struck the complexion of the game soon altered.
Gaz Beard (3-39), Chris Ward (2-24) and Dave Beard (1-19) were all in the wickets as the visiting batsmen buckled like a wheel on a rusty old BMX.
Only skipper Hunt (74) provided any resistance, showing that Bruce Sprinsteen wasn't the only one to put in a two and a half hour performance last weekend.
With overs running out, Clumber were indebted to Chris Rix (2-24) who returned to bag two late wickets to bowl Sherwood out and ensure the hosts could chase maximum points.
The Clumber reply got off to a bright start before D. Beard (10) was adjudged LBW.
The game was taken away from the visitors with a second wicket partnership of 78 between Chais Morris (41) and G. Beard (41).
A clatter of wickets saw Clumber feel a minor rumble of panic as the Sherwood bowlers reduced them to 110 for 4.
However, the accomplished Ward (29*) steadied the pulse rate and aided by Matt Deaves (9*) the pair eased the hosts to a comfortable victory in the 33rd over to leave Park riding high at the halfway stage of the season.
DIVISION FOUR
Firbeck 180 all out
Woodsetts 58 all out
ON a difficult batting surface Woodsetts won the toss and elected to field.
Justin Joseph (6-39) took full advantage of the conditions and soon had wickets tumbling as he accounted for Firbeck's top five.
S. Blagg (14) got a start but it was only B. Smith (58) who could make any impact in the top order and, when he fell shortly after drinks, Firbeck were on the ropes at 96 for 8
But Firbeck showed depth in batting as D. Randle (44) and N. Parry (39) settled in, used up the overs and gradually pushed the score along to record an exceptional 80-run ninth wicket stand
Simon Davies (2-9) eventually removed the pair and finished the innings on 180 in the 42nd over with Randle and Parry securing the extra batting points for Firbeck.
P. Hall (2-36 ) was the other Woodsetts wicket taker.
In reply Woodsetts found the conditions equally challenging, C. Tindle (3-20) and S. Robson (2-19) accounting for the top five.
Man of the Match N. Parry (5-14) took the last five wickets to leave Woodsetts all out for 58 in the 33rd over, with only M. Bateman (10) and S. Davies (14) getting into double figures
Whitwell II 148 all out
Glapwell II 150 for 5
A STEADY batting display failed to produce sufficient runs on a good track, but Sayles' 40 was another good contribution from the middle order.
In the field Whitwell pushed hard and at 120 for 5 they had an opportunity but they were unable to press further and Glapwell won with some to spare.
DIVISION FIVE
Clumber Park II 191 for 8
Killamarsh III 122 for 7
YET again a knock from veteran Jim Delaney laid the foundations for another Clumber Park victory.
With the weather fair but muggy, it seemed that the only thing that stood in the way of 20 points would be the toss of a coin on what looked a back garden type wicket, in need of a spot of weeding.
However, looks were deceiving as the game produced over 300 runs.
Clumber were asked to bat first and got off to a good start, with J. Delaney and H. Tomlinson putting on 40.
Once Tomlinson had departed for (14) in the 14th over, this brought captain D. Taylor (9) to the crease for what could be his final game of the season as he retired hurt with a badly twisted knee.
Once the skipper had gone the Clumber middle order batsman A. Smith (20) set about supporting J. Delaney.
The loss of Smith in the 39th over brought A. Bellamy to the crease, and he allowed J. Delaney to be the dominant figure.
Delaney did not realise he was so close to his century and played round a straight ball and left the field for a majestic 99.
The Killamarsh attack were then treated to some aggressive stroke play from A. Bellamy (22*), and the innings came to a close on 191 for 8.
After tea, Clumber took to the field without their captain and it was left to vice captain A. Bellamy to guide his troops towards victory.
Facing the largest total at the Beighton ground this season, the Killamarsh openers applied themselves well, and it took until the 20th over for T. Moore (1-17) to make the important breakthrough, having P. Burgess caught for a diligent nine.
S. Connelly was introduced to try and extract pace from the pitch and he trapped opener B. Spooner (37) LBW.
This wicket opened the door for Clumber and with Killamarsh six wickets down and S. Connelly finishing his brilliant spell with figures of 5-20, it became apparent that Killamarsh were playing for the draw.
A. Bellamy was trying everything possible to change that and having managed to squeeze out a further wicket, Bellamy (1-27) decided to reintroduce the openers who both produced fine spells, T. Snow with 0-22 and A. Smith 0-3 from his 10 overs.
Despite their efforts Clumber couldn't finish the job and only managed 17 points from the game.
DIVISION EIGHT
Ransome & Marles III 199 for 5
Clumber Park IV 58 for 7
IN the absence of captain Shepherd, vice Tony Mingham continued this season's tradition of losing the toss and the visitors elected to bat.
Opening bowler Amy Dawson had early success in her spell, capturing Self for 10, but then the bowlers toiled in the heat against the 89-run partnership of Bacon (62) and Helliwell (31).
There was nothing streaky in Bacon's innings, including some well made shots off her legs.
The only way Clumber were able to cure the problem was running her out with a direct throw from deep mid-off fielder Ollie Bradbury.
Evans then came in to add another 37 crisp runs to take the final total to 199 for 5.
The highlight for Clumber was that there was nothing ham fisted in Matt Shepherd's stand in wicket keeping performance, conceding no byes in the 46 overs.
There was also some good bowling from young debutants Tom Rix (0-10 in 4 overs) and Rob Gray (0-13 in 3 overs).
Chasing 200 to win, Clumber got off to a slow start, although Tony Mingham hit three good fours in his innings of 17 before he was caught at slip.
Richard Osborne batted admirably and stayed for 35 overs as Clumber, realising the winning target was now not achievable, battled their way to a losing draw.
Leg spinner Amos (3-14 off 13 overs) was particular difficult to score off with the ball turning violently on the Clumber track.
The Palfreyman pair of John and Jack continued the stubborn resistance and the game finished in the evening gloom at 8.30pm.
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Weather for Worksop
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North
