Tomlins triumph for Ordsall side

IN a tightly contested Tomlins Trophy final, Ordsall Bridon saw off the challenge of Thoresby Colliery by four wickets.

Thoresby won the toss and decided to bat and after a crashing square drive to the fence in the first over, disaster struck when Ben Marson was easily run out.

This immediately had an adverse effect on proceedings with two more wickets falling before the score had reached 10.

Wickets fell steadily at regular intervals and at 40 for 5, Thoresby looked as though their hopes were gone.

However a fine stand by 14-year-old John Skinner and Shailesh Patel retrieved the situation and certainly gave fresh hope to Thoresby.

Skinner showed a magnificent temperament for someone so young and Patel also played a prominent role as they took the score past 100.

Patel was finally yorked by Simon Davison at 108, but Skinner continued to dominate and with the rest of the tail wagging, a much better score was on the cards.

Skinner was finally out for 44 runs and Thoresby were bowled out in the 39th over for 148.

All the Bridon attack bowled well with the wickets spread between them.

The reply looked far from easy as Asa Hussain bowled Tim Ward and Nyeem Ahmed trapped Henry Appleyard lbw with only 19 runs on the board.

Marc Brewer and Darren Spooner looked in good nick but just when the latter seemed to be taking the play out of Thoresby’s hands, John Skinner produced a spectacular one handed catch at square leg.

Worse was to follow as Brewer was bowled and when David Fagan and Roger Wells were both out it was difficult to predict who would succeed.

However cool heads were needed and Bridon found them in the shape of James Brice and Jon Tomlinson.

Brice was undefeated on 29 as the target at 151 for 6 was reached whilst Nyeem Ahmed turned in a great stint for Thoresby taking 3 for 29.

The trophy and medal presentation party was led by Bassetlaw League chairman Gareth Jones and also included Peter Neale and league president John Leaning.