Clipstone roar back into gear

It was without doubt one of Thoresby Colliery’s poorer days and it is still a mystery how they can turn it on and off without any effort whatsoever.

After last week’s slump which saw them soundly beaten by Papplewick & Linby, Clipstone were in no mood to see something similar happen again, and they showed off their array of batting with several players all making a sizeable contribution.

Justin Braithwaite (30), Lee Wilson (36), Scott Powell (53) and Louis Sprigg (45) all weighed in as they reached a rather daunting looking 254-99 as the overs ran out.

Only Jack Dickens (4-50) caused much trouble for them, but Thoresby were struggling right from the start even though Martin Cheshire (31) and John Skinner (34) tried their best to turn things around.

It wasn’t to be, though, as Justin Braithwaite (4-62) never let them of the leash and Thoresby were all out for 177 giving Clipstone a 77-run win and a further lift in their quest for the title.

Second-placed Farnsfield kept up their challenge with a relatively easy win over struggling Killamarsh.

Batting first, Killamarsh reached 175-9 with Ben Williams (33) and Aaron Green (64 not out) being the only two batsmen to make a sizable contribution.

On Station Lane this sort of score was always going to be rather inadequate, and so it proved as Matt Sisson (33), Callum McKenzie (35), Andrew Bell (42 not out) and James Smith (30 not out) eased Farnsfield to an easy six wicket win.

After comfortably seeing off Clipstone last week, Papplewick literally smashed Anston out of sight.

There can be little doubt that this side would be very close to the top had they not made such an appalling start, but they are certainly making up for it now.

Batting first, Papplewick managed a staggering 284-3 with Alex Lloyd (77), Ross Fitz-John a magnificent unbeaten 102 and Mark Nelson (91) all batting brilliantly.

Anston simply couldn’t cope with this and with skipper Jim Rhodes (7-39) in sublime form, Anston were skittled out for just 91 to give Papplewick a massive 193-run win.

This side has now taken 80 points from the last 80 and that is Championship form by any standards!

A really high scoring game at Goosedale saw home side Notts & Arnold Amateur gain a winning draw against Worksop.

Notts & Arnold made 278-9 with skipper Dilhan Cooray, who when he is firing is probably the best batsman in the league, making a sensational 131.

Dave Hancocks bowled excellently for Worksop to claim 4-68.

Worksop made a fine reply and finished on 210-8 after an excellent effort.

Conor Smith (49) and Liam Ainger (38) both played a major part, but just failed to keep up with the required rate.

Liam Patterson-White once again showed his tremendous potential, taking 4-57 as Notts & Arnold claimed the lion’s share of the points.

North Wheatley with Leverton, who opened the season so brightly, fell to a huge 10-wicket defeat against Glapwell, who have been in rather poor form themselves.

Batting first, North Wheatley could make little of Matt Page (4-36) and Danny Bircumshaw (3-35) and were bowled out for just 155.

Only Jonathan Loates, with an assured 72, saved them from a greater humiliation and this certainly didn’t look like the side of a couple of months ago.

It didn’t take Glapwell long to reach their target as openers Steven Gooding (68 not out) and the swashbuckling Luke Smith (79 not out) blasted them to a much needed win.

Caythorpe II were another side who badly needed a win, and they got it with 46 runs to spare against Kiveton Park.

Caythorpe made a useful looking 226-7 with Richard Beaumont (40), Oliver Clarke (53) and skipper Andrew Staszkiewicz (32) all batting well.

Richard Spurr again was the Kiveton hero, taking 4-44 in a fine stint.

Kiveton were given the lead by Adam Whiteley, who made a superb 75, and good support was acquired from Tom Haslam (35) and that man Richard Spurr (38) once again.

However, they could only muster 180 all out with Geoff Crook (4-58) and man of the match Andrew Staszkiewicz (5-53) seeing their side home to a very important win.