Big derby day win over struggling Welbeck as Cuckney keep faint title hopes alive

And they have another route to silverware in their sights after beating Hucknall on Sunday to reach the final of the Derbyshire Premier Cup to complete a superb weekend.

But, barring a shock end to a great season for Cavaliers, Cuckney now look set to have to settle for the battle to finish in second place with only three games to go and Cavaliers needing to lose all three and Cuckney win their last three.

“It was very comprehensive against Welbeck and very one-sided,” said vice captain Tom Ullyott.

“Nick Keast batted nicely and everyone who came in was in the mood.

“The bowlers then followed that up and Drew Owen had a five wicket haul and Adam Tillcock four.

“All we can do is keep winning games. You always want to finish as high as you can so we will continue to do our best to finish second as it seems unlikely Cavs will drop any points.

“But we now have a cup final to look forward to as well and plenty to play for.”

Choosing to bat against Welbeck, Cuckney racked up a massive 353-5 in their 50 overs.

Opener Nick Keast scored 105, including 18 fours, while Eliot Callis added 73, Tillcock 65 and Tom Rowe 37.

Keast put on 80 for the opening wicket with Rowe and then combined with Callis for a 135 second wicket partnership.

Callis and Tillcock combined for 73 for the third wicket and Welbeck were on the rack.

In reply they crumbled to 162 all out in 31.4 overs.

Head coach Richard Stroh scored 36 and Ben Bowring 33, but Owen was Cuckney's star bowler with 5-44 off 10 overs while Tillcock ended a superb day for himself with 4-41 in 8.4 overs to round off the victory.

On Sunday Cuckney won by 43 runs at Hucknall in their cup semi-final.

Batting first, Cuckney made 213 all out, Keast again in fine form with 60, Tom Ullyott with 38, Josh Porter 29 and Nick Langford 28.

Dan Bryans claimed 5-26 in 4.4 overs for Hucknall.

The home side were then bowled out for 170, Sam Johnson scoring 41 and Joe Worrall claiming 5-33, Tillcock chipping in with 3-28.

Cuckney will now face Ockbrook & Borrowash in the final.

Welbeck are six points from safety and will be glad to see relegation rivals Collingham and Papplewick & Linby also lost.

Clipstone were beaten by 33 runs at home to Hucknall, whose away form has been excellent but they can't seem to win at home.

Winning the toss, Hucknall elected to bat and scored 158 all out in 38.3 overs, Sam Johnson top scorer with 49, Ryan Buckley contributing 27.

Chris Fletcher took 3-16 from six useful overs.

Clipstone, missing some key players, must still have felt this was a total they could chase down.

But they struggled to score runs and were all out for 125 in 42.2 overs.

Captain Chris Fletcher almost matched his opposite number for Hucknall with 40. But no one was able to stick around with him as Clipstone slipped to sixth.

This Saturday Cuckney are at Wollaton while Welbeck face another local derby at home to Clipstone.

In Division Two, Mansfield Hosiery Mills' promotion charge continued with a seven wicket away at struggling Gedling Colliery.

Gedling batted first and were all out for 180 in 46.2 overs.

Reham Azam top-scored for them with 45 while Mark Smallwood picked up 3-29.

Mills steadily reached a winning 182-3 in 44.3 overs.

Charana Nanayakkara saw them home with 74 not out off 72 balls, including six fours and three sixes, partnering Leo Williamson, who made 33 not out.

Earlier, Rayhan Don had made 37.

Cuckney seconds edged home by one wicket at Radcliffe-on-Trent.

The home side made 183 all out, Finlay Hulbert scoring 52 not out and James Hawley claiming 3-21.

Cuckney then struggled and were just able to edge home on 185-9 with three balls remaining in an exciting finish.

Hawley ended a great all-round day for him with 66 not out.