THORESBY COLLIERY (5)            189 for 7        

FARNSFIELD (18)                            193 for 6        

 

 

Farnsfield’s ground is perched neatly on the top of a hill.  In the distance is the perfect backdrop for an afternoon’s cricket match – rolling hills as far as the eye can see, scattered formations of healthy trees and a mystical assortment of clouds that Van Gough would love to have painted.  Yes my friends, Saturday’s match was a true spectacle.  Late in the afternoon, as the sun slid behind those distant hills, the players were treated to the gentle rhythm of a live jazz band that were performing at a nearby house.  In the final overs of the match there was a dropped catch, their was an appeal for caught behind that was turned down and a Thoresby bowler dislodged middle stump only to find out that it was a no ball.  Farnsfield struck the winning runs with one ball remaining.  It was a fitting end to a memorable game.

 

The highlight of Thoresby’s innings was the patient and skilful knock by Nigel Birkett.  He batted with courage and determination for the full fifty overs.  His resilience enabled Thoresby to compile a competitive total that put them in good stead for the match.  After having a good look at the bowling Birkett settled down and scored consistently on both sides of the wicket.  It must be noted that the wicket was damp and the ball was moving.  Despite these hardships he drove in the air and on the ground.  One shot that is particularly attractive is his flick off the pads.  Often he will flick a ball pitched on off stump, through mid wicket for four.  He does it with ease and with an unknowing arrogance – and the bowlers hate it.  They kick and curse and the fielders mutter, “unlucky mate.”  Deep down they know it isn’t ‘luck’.  Deep down they know that it is Birkett’s skill and precision.

 

Nigel shared in two crucial partnerships.  Firstly with Hill and secondly with Ahmed.

 

Hill and Birkett resurrected the innings.  Their 80 runs dulled Farnsfield’s enthusiasm and laid the foundation for a wonderful cameo from the talented Ahmed.

 

Ahmed blasted 50 runs off 40 balls.  He is fearless in his approach to batting and it is a true breath of fresh air. He is merciless to any delivery short outside of off.  He wields his bat with rhythm and contempt and the ball shoots to the boundary again and again and again.  His follow through is a work of art in itself.  He is balanced and composed. 

 

From being 3/35 Thoresby fought to an impressive 7/189.  In a weird twist of fate Farnsfield found themselves in a similar position.  From 3/33 they worked towards a nail biting victory, striking the winning runs in the dying moments.

 

Hill and Ahmed applied some early pressure and subsequently captured 3 wickets.  Farnsfield did well to put on 117 runs for the third wicket partnership.

 

Thoresby fought and fought well.  Even though the wickets weren’t falling they gritted their teeth and encouraged their mates and played with the whole hearted belief that the next wicket was coming right after the next ball.  Time and time again they were disappointed – as some balls were hit for four whilst at other times the batsmen played an uncultured slog.  However that is what this game is all about.  You are endlessly thrown from the depths of despair to the heavens of joy.  And you know what?  It is fun fun fun!

 

Cheshire, Evans and Lippeat bowled well without the reward of a wicket.  Evans in particular seems to have found his stride.  He weighted the ball with precision – luring the batsman forward, into that realm of uncertainty.  He has picked a good time of the season to come good.  His efforts will be much needed in these remaining games.

 

Towards the end a few quick wickets swung the pendulum Thoresby’s way.  Ahmed and Hill bowled straight and pressure mounted after each ball.  Alas though, it appears that it was not meant to be.  

 

Matches as exciting as this are perfect proof as to why cricketers grace the field every weekend.  It is the ultimate test of self belief and an ideal way to spend an afternoon in the summer sun.  If Thoresby can fight like that each game from here on in then relegation will not be an issue.  With 6 games left I am bold enough to propose 6 wins. Enjoy the week.

 

jchill

 

 

 

 

THORESBY COLLIERY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BATSMAN

 

HOW OUT

SCORE

 

BOWLING

O

M

R

W

M CHESHIRE

 

C MILLER B SHARP

11

 

SILCOCK

13

1

37

2

N BIRKETT

 

NOT OUT

74

 

SHARPE

13

6

39

1

S DICKENS

 

RUN OUT

0

 

COLLINS

12

4

60

0

P HUGHES

 

B SILCOCK

0

 

MILLER

12

2

39

3

J HILL

 

B MILLER

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

B MARSON

 

LBW B MILLER

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

N AHMED

 

B SILCOCK

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

J EDGAR

 

LBW B MILLER

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

C FLINTON

 

NOT OUT

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

D EVANS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

W LIPPEATT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXTRAS

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

189

7

WKTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

FARNSFIELD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BATSMAN

 

HOW OUT

SCORE

 

BOWLING

O

M

R

W

BENNETT

 

B HILL

14

 

N AHMED

14.5

4

61

2

DELANEY

 

LBW B HILL

11

 

J HILL

15

2

37

3

EDWARDS A

 

C HUGHES B AHMED

1

 

W LIPPEATT

7

1

24

0

BRAMLEY

 

C BIRKETT B AHMED

62

 

D EVANS

8

0

36

0

SILCOCK

 

B HILL

44

 

M CHESHIRE

5

0

19

0

TILBURY

 

NOT OUT

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLER

 

RUN OUT

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

EDWARDS G

 

NOT OUT

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

COLLINS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHARP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILSON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXTRAS

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

193

6

WKTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other results in Division 1

At Villas Road: BOLSOVER (3) 163 for 9 (Eddie Grant 45, Mark Bull 39, Asadullah Butt 4 for 60, Ejaz Khan 4 for 27) lost to CUTTHORPE (18) 168 for 3 (Nigel Kingham 59 n.o., Asadullah Butt 70 n.o.) by seven wickets.

At Ordsall: NOTTS. & ARNOLD AMATEUR (20) 174 for 9 (Ian Flood 58, Justin Foss 39, Collin Hurst 5 for 57) beat BRIDON (4) 134 all out (Simon Bingham 37, Gary Chapple 6 for 43) by 40 runs.

At Forest Corner: BLIDWORTH (1) 116 all out (Aran Pairama 30, Jon Garnham 5 for 46) lost to EDWINSTOWE (20) 117 for 4 (Neil Battison 42) by six wickets.

At Park Avenue: KIVETON PARK (20) 261 for 6 (Ryan Snape 107, Adam Burgess 71, Phil Cooper 40, Dean Graney 4 for 66) beat GLAPWELL (5) 180 all out (Dean Graney 50, Rob Davison 49, Ian O’Brien 45, Kyle McKeeman 6 for 47, Richard Spurr 3 for 55) by 81 runs.

At Central Avenue: MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS (17) 211 for 6 (Tom New 58, Dave Loveridge 44) drew with WORKSOP (4) 112 for 7 (Richard Hare 48, Jason Gorman 3 for 30)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wthr

 

 

 

 

 

Division 1

 

 

 

Tie

Draw

 

 

Bonus

Pts.

Total

 

P

12

10

6

6

2

0

Bat

Bowl

Points

Mansfield Hos. Mills

18

9

6

0

3

0

0

56

55

297

Kiveton Park

18

8

3

0

3

1

3

51

51

248

Cutthorpe

17

11

0

0

2

0

4

41

49

228(-6)

Notts & Arnold Am.

17

9

0

0

3

0

5

46

49

221

Bridon

18

8

0

0

3

2

5

27

41

186

Cuckney

17

6

2

0

3

0

6

32

41

183

Farnsfield

18

5

2

0

4

2

5

36

39

183

Thoresby Colliery

18

5

2

0

0

0

11

40

44

164

Glapwell

17

4

2

0

3

2

6

33

38

161

Worksop

17

4

1

0

2

4

6

34

43

155

Edwinstowe

18

3

0

0

3

4

8

21

53

136

Blidworth

18

4

0

0

2

1

11

27

43

132

Bolsover

17

3

1

0

1

3

9

29

36

123