Cricket action from the South Notts League, featuring Newark R&M, Balderton, Collingham, Farndon and Southwell
Collingham 1sts (214 for seven) had a losing draw with Belvoir 1sts (216 for eight)
THE Division A fixture was shortened to 40 overs because of the threat of rain, and ended up in a disappointing losing draw for the Dale Field team.
Having been invited to bat first, Belvoir reached 216 for eight in moist conditions.
The visitors’ total always looked gettable, even with three balls remaining when Collingham found themselves needing only four to tie with wickets in hand, but the home side nevertheless fell three runs short of victory.
The Belvoir innings had been held together by former Collingham player Jack Copley, until he was removed for 83 with the last ball of the penultimate over by seamer Harry Sheppard.
Bowling figures of three for 43 from ten overs for pro Mohammad Mohsin were only eclipsed by stalwart David Pipes, who took three for 40 from his ten.
Even after the dismissal of Collingham opener Ross Taylor (lbw for 37 from 50 balls) the home team looked well placed when Mohsin came out at number three with the score at 54 for one.
By the time Mohsin left the middle, having added a brisk 59 from 52 deliveries, his team needed 56 from 45 balls with eight wickets remaining.
Rueful skipper Oli Dyson said: “At 161 for one, chasing 217 to win and with batsmen well set, the game was in our hands. The required rate kept going up though from around 7.5 per over.
“After Mohsin was caught on the boundary wickets fell regularly but we could still have won it needing five from the last two balls.
“We will learn from this and look forward to visiting West Bridgfordians.”
Balderton 1sts (215 for 0) drew with Gedling Colliery (186 for nine)
Captain Tim Clipsham believes his Balderton side are reaping the rewards of bringing in someone to help with their fielding this season.
Alfie Morley saved a multitude of runs on the boundary as Gedling Colliery tried to chase down a tough target of 216 for victory in Saturday’s Division A clash.
Balderton’s big improvement in the field has been put down to the assistance of Adrian Smart.
“We’ve brought Adrian in once a week to do some fielding drills with us and that has made such a difference to us this season,” said Clipsham.
“It was a great game of cricket that swung in the balance a couple of times, but we just couldn’t get that final wicket.”
The introduction of Chris Dobbie (five for 16) changed the face of the game, picking up the prize scalp of Josh Mierkalns during an excellent spell with the ball.
Earlier, Balderton brothers Ben and Steven Ryder shared an unbroken first-wicket stand of 215, with the former scoring a magnificent 131, to set the platform for their bowling attack.
Balderton are due to hand a debut to Sri Lankan professional Shalith Fernando when they travel to Ellerslie this weekend.
Newark R&M (181 for eight) lost to West Bridgfordians 2nds (182 for nine) by one run
Newark R&M were left searching for their first Division D success of the campaign after falling short by the narrowest of margins against West Bridgfordians 2nds.
Despite the early efforts of Peter Litchfield (50) and Robert Matchett (61) Newark were unable to get over the line after requiring 13 runs from the final over.
Late flurries from skipper Harry Atkinson (23) and Jake Harling (25 not out) helped the team back in contention after Matthew Evans had claimed five for 20 with the ball in West Bridgfordians total of 182 for nine.
“It was a bit of a sore one to take really,” said captain Harry Atkinson.
“We got ourselves in a good position, lost our way a little and then pulled it back in our favour.
“In the end we couldn’t build enough partnerships through the middle order and in the end I think that is what cost us.”
In Division K, Newark Ransome & Marles 2nds (110 for four) defeated Stapleford (106) by six wickets while the 3rds lost by the same margin at Whatton and Aslockton 2nds in Division M.
Southwell 1sts (108 for nine) lost to East Bridgford 1sts (188 for nine) by 80 runs
Southwell's David Rimmer (4-33) and Will Ashworth (3-26) enjoyed good days with the ball as East Bridgford were restricted to 188-9 in a 36-over match.
Southwell never recovered from losing their opening three batsmen cheaply and only Jonathan Butler (25) Ollie Stanley (21) and Rimmer (23 not out) offered any resistance in their total of 108 for nine.
Elsewhere, a solid batting display right down the order enabled Southwell 2nds to triumph over West Bridgfordians 4ths by 64 runs in Division K.
Farndon 1sts (154 for eight) lost to Thrumpton (158 for two) by eight wickets
Farndon 1sts continue to find life tough in Division D.
Opener Martyn Hill hit 68 and a quick-fire 33 off 24 balls from Dan Collington helped the team post 154 for eight from 36 overs against Thrumpton.
The total looked some way short of what was required and that proved to be the case as an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 108 saw Thrumpton home with eight wickets and 8.5 overs to spare.
In Division K, Andrew Lamb picked up four for 37 as Lambley Village registered 187 for seven against Farndon 2nds, who were bowled out for 49 in reply with no batsmen reaching double figures.
