Plumtree Look To Round Off Season In Style

The final game of Plumtree Cricket Club's hugely successful season takes place tomorrow at Southwell when they take on Worksop in the annual Champion of Champions match.

The champions of Belle & Jerome Division A of the South Notts Cricket League face the champions of the Bassetlaw League in a 45-over match for the Mapperley Sports Trophy.

By winning the league, Plumtree return to the Nottinghamshire Premier League after two seasons.

They also reached the finals of the Popkess Cup and the South Notts T20 competition.

Skipper Scott Bailey says this success hasn't been achieved by accident.

"We started making plans to get back into the Premier League as soon as we were relegated at the end of 2009 and while we just missed out last year, it is very satisfying to see those plans come together," he said.

"The club has a very good and well-organised committee and volunteer base and they have provided us with the opportunity to achieve success and the players have thrived in this environment."

The club has former Nottinghamshire batsman Matt Wood in their ranks and he has scored heavily this year with 689 runs at just short of 50 per innings.

He has also coached the club for the last three years and his positive influence on some of the younger players in the side has been clear.

One player who has obviously benefited from his input has been 17-year-old Matt Milnes who has taken 21 league wickets and scored some useful runs since being promoted up the order.

Milnes shares the bowling plaudits with skipper Bailey and another 17-year-old, Hassan Azad, who is dual registered with the Nottinghamshire Academy.

"Hassan has had an outstanding season for us" added Bailey.

"He has not only contributed very well with the ball, but has also been a leading batsman at the top of the order with 569 runs at an average of more than 70. He has also developed into a very good gully fielder and he has been a joy to captain".

There have also been useful runs from veteran Steve James, Nigel Finney, Michael Tew and 18-year-old Sam Storey scored his maiden first-team hundred.

All-rounder Ben Thompson has only been available for less than half the games but has made significant impacts with bat and ball and the club's other Academy player, Bobby Gamble, has contributed useful wickets.

The side has won 12 of the 16 games played and won the league by a margin of 35 points but they are not sitting on their laurels.

Bailey said: "We have the nucleus of a very good side here but we know we have to strengthen the squad if we are to compete in the Premier League.

"We will not change the nature of what is a very strong community-spirited club but having worked so hard for promotion, we know we will need to work just as hard next year and the planning has already begun."

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