July 31st Premier League Report

Leaders Clifton have extended their lead at the top of the table to 34 points over second placed Papplewick after securing the best of a draw away at Mansfield Hosiery Mills.

Clifton batted first and cruised to 273 for 6 with a number of their leading batsmen contributing, notably Liam Andrews (63), Martin Weightman (54) and Scott McNeill (43). The home side’s attack was again led by the consistent Stephen Ludlam who posted figures of 3-60. Mansfield never really got close to their target in reaching a respectable 215 for 7 with Sudesh Fernando scoring 58, Gareth Curtis 46 Keshara Jayasinghe 40. Clifton skipper Simon Roberts had another fine return with the ball claiming 3-51 but the man of the match honours would surely have been awarded to Liam Andrews who added to his fine innings with 4 wickets for 52.

Papplewick hosted fourth-placed Kimberley and will have been delighted with their 77 run win. The home side had first knock and closed on 243 for 5 thanks to 64 from Mark Nelson, 61 from ‘keeper John Wakeling and 39 from opener Alex Lloyd. Kimberley will have been very disappointed with their reply as they were skittled for just 166 with only Jon Terry (61) and Alex Robinson (38) making significant contributions. Taimoor Khan had a good day with the ball in securing 4-34 in support of Papplewick’s leading bowler on the day, Nick Hand who posted 4-27.

West Indian Cavaliers are in third place in the table but couldn’t take the chance to go second when they lost to the Notts Academy at Birchover Park. The Cavs batted first and went to tea with 227 for eight on the board. Alex Tudor top scored with 47, supported by Hassan Khalid (46*) and Tinashe Panyangara (37*); Adam Shepherd lead the Academy attack with a return of 3-46. The Academy side recorded probably the best of their 4 wins this season by overcoming the home side’s total with 2 balls to spare thanks to some inventive hitting by Hassan Azad but the main spoils should be awarded to Ollie Swann (45) and Michael Robson with a match-winning 84 not out.

At the bottom of the table, Attenborough are a long way from being a mathematical certainty for relegation but the game are running out as they are now 51 points from safety as things stand. They lost away at Welbeck Colliery in a match that only lasted for a total of 56 overs; the visitors batted first and were dismissed for just 101 in less than 36 overs. Guy Darwin (4-45) and Jonathon B all (4-10) did most of the damage. Welbeck knocked off the runs without loss in just 21 overs with Martin Dobson leading with an unbeaten 61.

In the relegation match of the day, Wollaton grabbed the chance to move ahead of Radcliffe who now sit in eleventh after losing at home by just 6 runs. Wollaton batted first and will have been satisfied with their total of 247 for 8 with David Smith starring with 58, Philip Wells with 54 and Tim Young 36. Craig Holden was the leading home bowler with 3-58. In reply, Radcliffe fell agonisingly short when they were bowled out with just five balls remaining for 241. Rob Sutton led the charge with 56, supported by Mitchell Gowland (47) and Dan Mason (49).

The final match of the day saw Cuckney lose at home to Caythorpe. The home side batted first and ended on 232 for 4 thanks largely to an unbeaten 100 from skipper Richard Stroh from just 128 balls, assisted by Adam Burgess with 43. The visitors managed to overhaul this target with six overs to spare thanks mainly to an innings of 87 from Guy Welton and an unbeaten 62 from former Notts player Jim Hindson.