Threasy does it

The Central Avenue cricket club sit top of the Bassetlaw Championship with one round of fixtures remaining, and the destination of the league title is very much within their grasp.

Farnsfield, in second, are 18 points behind Worksop - and will have to take maximum points and hope that Worksop lose badly.

Worksop skipper Luke Ambrose insisted the champagne is still on ice ahead of Saturday’s visit to Anston and explained how his men could clinch promotion.

He told the Guardian: “After a crucial 20 point victory on Saturday against Notts and Arnold, it means that we need three points from the last game of the season against Anston.”

“Three points could come in the form of 180 runs or by taking seven wickets, but we’re not taking anything for granted and we will play the game as normal.”

“Anston are a good team, who have done very well in the Championship this year and we want to make sure that we end the season on a high.”

Indeed, Anston are third in the league table and although they can’t catch either Farnsfield or Worksop, they’ll be out to spoil their near-neighbours’ party.

But Ambrose is confident that an in-form Worksop can clinch their title dream, aided by South African bowler Chad Keegan - who recently took all 10 wickets in one league outing.

“We have strength and depth to our squad and we should continue our good form going into the final game,” said the skipper.

“Chad is firing on all cylinders now having already claimed 55 wickets, closely followed by Wayne Spooner who has 45 wickets and will surely be aiming to make it 50 for the season.”

“On the batting front, we hope that our deep batting line up with get us over the finishing line, with Steve Bentley scoring almost 500 runs, Vipinlal Manikoth scoring over 600 runs and Akil Mirza scoring almost 700 runs.”

Club chairman Ray Black is hoping that the rain doesn’t spoil a potential promotion party - although a weather draw would be enough to send Worksop back to the top flight for the first time since 1999.

He said: “We were founder members of the Notts Premier, but finished second bottom by three points in 1999 and haven’t been back in that division since.”

“I’m certainly looking forward to Saturday, I just hope it doesn’t rain.”

“Usually we have a big celebration at the end of the season, so if we win the league there will be a bit of a party - I think we’ve about 90 cans of beer lined up.”