Farnsfield take over Bassetlaw top spot

Not so long ago, Clipstone looked to be running away with things, but they are now on the crest of a slump which has seen them surrender the lead even though Farnsfield have had 10 points deducted for an indiscretion.

Although Glapwell managed to cling on to a losing draw, Farnsfield still picked up 16 points which will be extremely valuable to them.

Batting first and despite all the rain which fell on Friday, Station Lane looked a picture and Farnsfield made the most of the excellent facilities.

Brett Hutton enjoyed his dual qualification role when he had a day off from Notts duties and scored a superb 82 to set up a big score.

He received excellent support from skipper Curtis Mitchell (33) and James Smith (39) as Farnsfield piled up 260-7 when the overs ran out. Glapwell skipper Matt Page with 3-40 was his side’s most effective bowler.

Glapwell never looked like reaching this target, but to their credit they stuck to the task well and achieved seven points which could prove vital.

The extremely talented John Skinner was undefeated on 58 as they reached 161-6 whilst Rob Davison made a fine 41 runs.

There is no doubt that Clipstone have the easier of the two sides run-ins but Farnsfield know what winning this title is all about and a very exciting climax looks to be in store.

Clipstone came out of a dramatic game with a losing draw against Notts & Arnold Amateur.

They were unlucky that they encountered Dilhan Cooray on one of his best day,s but at the moment they seem to have forgotten how to win.

Batting first, Notts & Arnold’s innings was dominated by Cooray, who is arguably the best player in the league. He showed that with a magnificent unbeaten 135 and no bowler was able to contain him. The final total of 251-7 gave Clipstone a mountain to climb and the last session looked to be a very interesting one.

However, Clipstone almost did it with a superhuman effort that saw them close on 246-8.

Lee Wilson set the tone with a brilliant 85 and Justin Braithwaite added 58, but they were to fall agonizingly five runs short and it was that man Cooray once again with 3-45 who proved just too much for them in a truly magnificent match.

Papplewick & Linby came right back to form after last week’s debacle with a six wicket win over Caythorpe II.

Batting first, Caythorpe were indebted to captain Andrew Staszkiewicz (52) out of a disappointing total of 174 all out.

Charlie Blatherwick (4-26) and Jim Rhodes (3-36) showed what a good variation there is in the Papplewick attack.

The reply was emphatic with Mark Nelson (75) and Ross Fitz-John (50 not out) steering their side to 177-4 and victory. Geoff Crook (3-49) bowled well but really didn’t have enough runs to play with.

Thoresby Colliery cruised to an easy seven wicket win over North Wheatley with Leverton at Fourth Avenue.

Batting first, North Wheatley were pegged back to 162-8 with Luke Tong (49) and Rob McConnachie (30) top scoring whilst Aqib Farook (3-50) was the pick of the Thoresby attack.

This target was hopelessly inadequate and Farook Aziz ((31), Australian Chris Bennett (85 not out) and Lee Willis (37 not out) made sure there were few hiccups along the way as Thoresby reached 164-3 and a comfortable win.

Killamarsh eased their relegation worries with a winning draw against Anston, who are in freefall at the moment.

Killamarsh put on their best display of the season, scoring 283-7 with Eddie Allcock (40), Richard Dewsbury (79) and James Daniel (83) all batting brilliantly. Amila Perera (4-45) was the only bowler to make any impression for Anston.

The Anston reply never looked like reaching the set target but they didn’t look like being in much trouble either.

They closed on 200-6 with Andrew Pickering (67) and Kalyan Ampolu (36) top-scoring while Aaron Green (3-56) was the most threatening of the Killamarsh attack.

The highest score of the day was a gigantic 340-6 by Kiveton Park, who also eased their relegation fears with a massive 190-run win over Worksop at Central Avenue.

Once Adam Whiteley is in the mood it is very difficult to pin him down and he blasted a fantastic 148 runs.

With Richard Grainger (59), Ryan Musgrove (40) and Jordan Cocks (30) all helping themselves, Kiveton put on their best show of the season.

Worksop were in trouble right from the start and were bundled out for just 150 with only Bernhard Beukman (51), Luke Ambrose (31) and Mark Ambrose (22) reaching double figures in a dismal display of batting.

Richard Spurr (3-10) and Chris Storey (4-18) bowled well for Kiveton and this win sets them up for a good chance of getting clear of trouble.