CUTTHORPE  (17) 220 for 4                            (Andy Thompson 102, John Combe 42, Asadullah Butt 43 n.o., Martin Cheshire 3 for 26)

THORESBY COLLIERY (5) 169 for 7          (Martin Cheshire 34, Jonathan Hill 58 n.o., Asadullah Butt 4 for 51)  

 

The weather on Monday was weird.  It started off cold, then it began to rain, then the players had to come off, then it got a little warmer and then in the evening the sun came out and treated us to a magnificent sunset.  In fact the sunsets of a Saturday evening at 4th avenue have been a consistent feature of this peculiar season.  The flat terrain, the clouds, the sweet scent of forest pines and the sound of leather on willow  –  they all contribute to a feeling of wonder and joy.  But I am here to talk cricket and so what of the match on Monday?

 

Cutthorpe scored too many runs.  Thoresby were quite lacklustre in the field.  The Cutthorpe opener was dropped several times.  He made the most of his fortune and went on to score a ton.  He played one shot that was absolutely gorgeous.  It was a sweep shot to Lippeat in the 12th over of the match.  I haven’t seen a shot like it this season.  The ball was pitched outside off turning towards leg.  The batsman planted his front foot well outside the line of off stump and delicately flicked the ball, backward of square for four.  It was amazing.  The ball did not seem to be travelling fast, yet it flew to the boundary.  It was a quick flick of the wrist.  That is all it was.  And it produced superb timing.  It goes to show what a lot of confidence and a willingness to play shots can create.

 

It was a day that most of the Thoresby bowlers would like to forget.  Ahmed was the pick.  He only conceded 30 runs from 12 overs.  He took the first wicket with a great ball that moved away slightly, nicked the edge and found refuge in Birkett’s gloves.  Cheshire took 3 wickets.  At one stage he was on a hat trick.  However by that time the damage had been done, the innings was coming to an end.

 

Thoresby’s batting was resolute.  When the prospect of victory had vanished they knuckled down and just stayed there.

 

Cheshire blasted a quickfire 34, Hughes chipped in with a cultured 19 and Hill plugged away for his 58 not out.  It was the innings of Callum Flinton that must be noted.  Callum scored a diligent 17.  Over the course of this year Mr. Flinton has had limited opportunity.  On the weekend he was given a chance to bat and he performed admirably.  His partnership with Hill was crucial in that it staved off defeat.  Callum plays golf off a handicap of 4.  His good hand eye co-ordination spills over into his batting method.  He plays the ball extremely late and is a study of perfect balance in his defensive play.  In particular his forward defence is a pleasure to watch.  He offers the full face and meets the ball with the softest of hands. 

 

From watching and playing much cricket I firmly believe that this stroke (the forward defence) is the cornerstone to scoring many runs.  Because if a batsman can play that stroke with balance and poise then he is in the perfect position to play a plethora of other scoring shots.  It all stems from that balanced foundation.

 

My point?  My point is that Callum has that solid foundation and has the potential to develop into a stylish, efficient and determined batsman.  Thoresby supporters should keep an eye on this young man.  He scored an unbeaten maiden half-century a few weeks back and I suspect that it is only the beginning.

 

In the end Thoresby managed 169 for the loss of 7 wickets.  One bowler whom they had particular trouble scoring off was Butt.  He bowled 24 overs.  Basically that is half of the overs bowled.  This concerns me.  If one bowler is going to bowl so many overs then this is at the expense of other players not getting a go.  Somehow that isn’t fair and league cricket (and cricket in the counties in general) should look to make some type of restriction; this would encourage the participation of all players.  Despite winning and losing and runs and wickets the eternal beauty of this game exists in the fact that each time you play you have a chance to perform.  And if that chance is taken away from even one or two players then cricket is the victim along with the morale of the team.  Participation and the opportunity to ‘have a fair go’ is the essence of any sport.  Hopefully this recent domination by the national side will instil a sense of enthusiasm among the youth.  We can only hope.

 

And so here we are with only one league match to go.  The nights are rapidly greeting us a lot earlier and they are becoming remarkably cold.  Winter will soon be here and it shall be followed by spring and then summer.  The next cricket season is never far away.

 

jchill

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other results in Division 1

At Villas Road: BLIDWORTH (4) 189 all out (Dave Willcock 65, Lee Wilson 61, Chris Pemberton 5 for 40) lost to BOLSOVER (20) 191 for 3 (Tariq Rashid 93 n.o., Steve Wooley 42 n.o.) by seven wickets.

 

At Langwith Road:CUCKNEY (1) 134 all out lost to MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS (20) 135 for 4 (Tom New 71 n.o.) by six wickets.

 

At Forest Corner: EDWINSTOWE (20) 98 all out (Ian O’Brien 4 for 29) beat GLAPWELL (4) 77 all out (Garth Brown 7 for 24) by 21 runs.

 

At Stone Close: KIVETON PARK (0) 66 all out (Mark Silcock 6 for 41, Dave Bell 4 for 23) lost to FARNSFIELD (20) 67 for 0 (Paul Delaney 40 n.o.) by ten wickets.

 

At Central Avenue: NOTTS. & ARNOLD AMATEUR (20) 152 for 9 (Mark North 46) beat WORKSOP (4) 116 all out (Steve Walker 59 n.o., Billy Johal 3 for 18, Andy Rann 3 for 34)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wthr

 

 

 

 

 

Division 1

 

 

 

Tie

Draw

 

 

Bonus

Pts.

Total

 

P

12

10

6

6

2

0

Bat

Bowl

Points

Mansfield Hos. Mills

22

11

6

0

4

0

1

64

65

345

Notts & Arnold Am.

22

12

0

0

3

0

7

59

62

283

Cutthorpe

22

12

1

0

4

0

5

49

60

279(-8)

Kiveton Park

22

9

3

0

4

1

5

52

56

272

Farnsfield

22

9

2

0

4

2

5

48

50

254

Cuckney

22

9

2

0

3

0

8

43

56

245

Glapwell

22

8

2

0

3

2

7

49

58

245

Bridon

22

10

0

0

4

2

6

35

42

225

Thoresby Colliery

23

7

2

0

0

1

13

47

60

213

Worksop

22

5

1

0

2

4

10

42

59

191

Edwinstowe

23

4

0

0

3

4

12

29

66

169

Bolsover

22

5

1

0

1

3

12

41

48

163(-8)

Blidworth

22

4

0

0

3

1

14

31

48

147

 

 

 

 

Who’s where in the next few weeks?

 

 

 

Fixtures for 4th September

 

Blidworth v Farnsfield

Cutthorpe v Bolsover

Kiveton v Glapwell

N&AA v MHM

Thoresby v Bridon

Worksop v Cuckney

 

 

Fixtures for 11th September

 

Bolsover v Kiveton

Bridon v Worksop

Cuckney v Edwinstowe

Farnsfield v N&AA

Glapwell v Cutthorpe

MHM v Blidworth