EDWINSTOWE (5)                           148 for 9      

THORESBY COLLIERY (17)           152 for 9        

 

It just doesn’t get any better than this - a Thoresby victory by one wicket; with Dave Evans and Billy Lippeat adding the final 20 runs!!!

 

The Robin Hood Festival was in full swing on Saturday.  Thousands of tourists flocked to Sherwood Forest in order to celebrate the myth of an adventurous hero who lived for the pursuit of justice.  Their presence contributed to an electric atmosphere around the ground.  Whilst medieval jousting took place in one arena, a tiny cricket ground staged a different kind of duel.  Those who stopped at the ground were treated to a match that will be talked about for many years to come.

 

Edwinstowe won the toss and decided to bat.  Their start was slow. The wicket however did not lend itself to attractive stroke play because it was grassy and a tad damp and extremely lifeless.  The top order batted patiently whilst the Thoresby bowlers kept the ball on that magical length.  Hill and Ahmed bowled well together, considering the intensity of the heat.  Hill got the crucial wicket of their opener – a fellow Australian who has journeyed from the sunny city of Brisbane.

 

Saylesh came on and took a wicket early in his spell.  He bowled with ferocity and managed to extract sharp bounce out of the pitch.  His final figures were 2/33 off 9 overs.  Billy Lippeat continued to weave his spinner’s web of mystery.  From his short run up he persistently drops the ball on that length.  His hard work was rewarded with 2/42 off 14 overs.  At short mid wicket it must be noted that skipper, Martin Cheshire, effected a brilliant run out that contributed to the ongoing demise of the Edwinstowe batting line up.  The batsmen thought they would attempt a quick single but before they could make up their minds Chesh had already picked up, turned and thrown the stumps down.  A joy to watch.

 

Towards the end of the innings Edwinstowe decided to swing the willow and were rewarded for their bravery.  Hill came back on and picked up a few cheeky wickets, to finish with match figures of 4/34 off 15 overs.  Ahmed bowled 12 overs, 0/22. (even though he was wicketless he still applied pressure.  He went at less than 2 runs an over) 

 

It is possible to get complacent when chasing a low score and this may be a reason for the top order collapse.  Thoresby lost Cheshire, Birkett and Hill very early on.  The Edwinstowe opening bowler is a big man who managed to find a steady rhythm that generated pace and accuracy.  Left to undertake the rescue mission were Paul Hughes and Ben Marson.

 

They did an outstanding job.  They scored fluently all around the ground.  As I mentioned earlier this year, Marson is maturing as a cricketer with each game he plays.  Despite being peppered with short bowling, he stood his ground, gritted his teeth and batted just one ball at a time.  His 28 runs were crucial to setting a foundation for the rest of his team.   

 

And of course we have Mr. Hughes.  When this young man is in form there are few greater sights on a cricket field.  To a ball pitched short outside the off stump he sliced through it, with immaculate timing and watched it race up the hill for four.  The next ball he was forward in defence – an image of perfect balance and confidence.  Another ball was angled into his pads and he gracefully flicked it over the mid wicket boundary for a sweet six.  And off course his pull shot.  The angry bowler aimed a short ball at his head and he got behind it and pulled it for four with brutal timing and strength.  It went like a rocket, and was fortunate not to injure one of the many spectators.  Yes, this guy knows how to bat.  He compiled 68 runs and practically ensured victory.  However after he gloved one to the keeper, and walked, it was clear that some further work needed to be done.

 

Patel contributed a useful 13.  In the end he was out lbw, attempting to swipe the ball into the heart of the forest.  As he walked back to the pavilion there was a silence around the ground.  People had glanced at the scoreboard and began to realise how close this contest really was.  Thoresby only had a few wickets in hand.  However they needed about 30 odd runs.  Could they manage to pull it off?  Could they stare into the face of pressure and not crumble?

 

Before long there were a few more quick wickets and the situation was this – Thoresby needed 20 runs with only one wicket in hand.

 

Billy Lippeat and Dave Evans were at the crease.  They are experienced campaigners.  They have dealt with pressure before.  But still there is always that horrid feeling of doubt that finds a way of creeping into the corner of your mind.  Those of us that can overcome this ‘doubt’ and play with unbridled self belief, often are the victors.

 

Billy batted with determination.  He went to the ball and played it.  Dave also was resolute.  He swiped at the odd ball, each time causing the crowd to skip a heartbeat.

 

The crowd was restless.  Predominately made up of Edwinstowe supporters.  They cheered and shouted – at times trying to coax the umpire into rewarding them with a wicket. 

 

Dave called for a quick single and was sent back.  Alas he was out of his ground.  The throw luckily sailed passed the stumps and he got home safely.  This small incident increased the tension.  It has to be said, EVERYONE was on the edge of their seats.     

 

Billy smashed a four off the fast bowler over mid on.  No one moved.  The crowd looked unimpressed whilst the Thoresby players grinned with content.

 

A few dot balls and then a few quick singles and Thoresby needed only one run for the win.  Billy was facing the fiery fast bowler.  The crowd and players were deep within the performance.  This is what it is all about.

 

The ball is bowled.  It is pitched on a length.  Billy plants his left foot and gives a mighty swipe.  He connects and the ball is sailing and flying.  The ball clears the mid wicket boundary for six and Thoresby win.  The crowd sit, stunned and confused.  The Thoresby players shout screams of joy.  Dave and Billy are welcomed back to the pavilion with hugs and smiles.  Everyone present knows the significance of this win.  

It just doesn’t get any better than this.

 

jchill

 

 

 

Note:  On behalf of the Thoresby community I would like to offer condolences to Ben Marson and his family.  Ben lost his grand father on Sunday afternoon and of course it is an extremely upsetting occurrence.  Ben, we are here for you in this time of need.

 

 

 

 

 

EDWINSTOWE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BATSMAN

 

HOW OUT

SCORE

 

BOWLING

O

M

R

W

BROWN

 

LBW B HILL

15

 

N AHMED

12

3

22

0

HALLAM D

 

C BIRKETT B HILL

12

 

J HILL

15

2

34

4

HOOPER

 

LBW B PATEL

2

 

W LIPPEATT

14

0

42

2

BENSON

 

C BIRKETT B HILL

57

 

S PATEL

9

1

33

2

SMITH

 

RUN OUT

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEBBIT

 

B LIPPEATT

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

GARNAM

 

C CHESHIRE B HILL

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

DUNN

 

C HILL B LIPPEATT

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

HALLAM B

 

C HUGHES B PATEL

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOMBOS

 

NOT OUT

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

RHODES

 

NOT OUT

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXTRAS

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

148

9

WKTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

THORESBY COLLIERY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BATSMAN

 

HOW OUT

SCORE

 

BOWLING

O

M

R

W

M CHESHIRE

 

C DUNN B GOMBOS

5

 

GOMBOS

13.4

1

54

5

N BIRKETT

 

C BROWN B GOMBOS

7

 

GARNAM

6

1

25

0

P HUGHES

 

C DUNN B BROWN

68

 

RHODES

5

0

19

0

J HILL

 

C DUNN B GOMBOS

1

 

HALLAM B

3

0

15

0

B MARSON

 

RUN OUT

28

 

SMITH

2

0

17

0

N AHMED

 

B GOMBOS

1

 

BROWN

7

2

14

3

S PATEL

 

LBW B GOMBOS

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

J EDGER

 

B BROWN

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

J WHITESIDE

 

C HALLAM B BROWN

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

D EVANS

 

NOT OUT

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

W LIPPEATT

 

NOT OUT

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXTRAS

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

152

5

WKTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other results in Division 1

At Ordsall: CUTTHORPE (20) 228 for 7 (Karl Fields 63, John Combe 62, Asadullah Butt 50, Simon Davison 3 for 73, Darren Spooner 3 for 41) beat BRIDON (3) 67 all out (Asadullah Butt 3 for 22, Ejaz Khan 5 for 44) by 161 runs.

 

At Station Lane: BOLSOVER (5) 251 for 6 (Tariq Rashid 120, Steve Wooley 52, Paul Franks 3 for 34) lost to FARNSFIELD (18) 252 for 3 (Paul Franks 77 n.o., Dave Tilbury 68 n.o., James Bennett 38) by seven wickets.

 

At Stone Close: MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS (20) 291 for 6 (Tom New 94, Sam Butler 86, Jason Gorman 37, Kyle McKeeman 4 for 40) beat KIVETON PARK (2) 109 all out (Dean Walker 35 n.o., Jason Gorman 4 for 34, Matt New 3 for 33) by 182 runs.

 

At Goosedale Lane: NOTTS. & ARNOLD AMATEUR (2) 151 all out (Ian Flood 34, Don Leiper 34, Dave Newman 3 for 41, Paul Gurnell 3 for 42) lost to CUCKNEY (20) 153 for 3 (Dean Sayer 68, Michael Palmer 44) by seven wickets.

 

At Central Avenue: GLAPWELL (20) 149 for 8 (Andy Smith 30, Paul Burton 5 for 57) beat WORKSOP (3) 119 all out (Simon Walker 35, Ian O’Brien 6 for 39, Dean Graney 3 for 47) by 30 runs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wthr

 

 

 

 

 

Division 1

 

 

 

Tie

Draw

 

 

Bonus

Pts.

Total

 

P

12

10

6

6

2

0

Bat

Bowl

Points

Mansfield Hos. Mills

19

10

6

0

3

0

0

60

59

317

Kiveton Park

19

8

3

0

3

1

4

51

53

250

Cutthorpe

18

12

0

0

2

0

4

45

53

248(-6)

Notts & Arnold Am.

18

9

0

0

3

0

6

47

50

223

Cuckney

18

7

2

0

3

0

6

36

45

203

Farnsfield

19

6

2

0

4

2

5

40

41

201

Bridon

19

8

0

0

3

2

6

27

44

189

Thoresby Colliery

19

6

2

0

0

0

11

41

48

181

Glapwell

18

5

2

0

3

2

6

37

42

181

Worksop

18

4

1

0

2

4

7

34

46

158

Edwinstowe

19

3

0

0

3

4

9

22

57

141

Blidworth

18

4

0

0

2

1

11

27

43

132

Bolsover

18

3

1

0

1

3

10

33

37

128