JOHNSON CENTURY SWEEPS GRASSMOOR ASIDE

GRASSMOOR WORKS 172 FOR 8 WELBECK 2'S 271 FOR 6

BASSETLAW AND DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT BARNES PARK

16 JULY 2022 --- 1PM

CENTURY MAKER ETHAN JOHNSON FOR WELBECK V GRASSMOOR 

Welbecks 2's took a firm grip on second place in The Bassetlaw and District first division after this comprehensive 99 run victory over hosts Grassmoor Works on a red hot afternoon in Barnes Park.  It was a destructive century from Ethan Johnson that did most of  the damage and even in reply half centuries from opener Mark Crain and Grassmoor captain Adam Bedford were not enough as they never got close to the challenging target. 

WELBECK CAPTAIN LEWIS JONES

A red hot afternoon greeted the twenty minute amble up the two hills that approach the village from the west and once again it was time to be thankful for this local cricket club who have provided a fair bit of the summer sport for me alongside of course Pilsley and Clay Cross Cricket Club.  Last week was pretty hot but this week from a spectating point of view would allow plenty of shaded areas with the boundary tree lined in Barnes Park whereas last week at Rupert Street there was no cover from the big yellow thing. 

Today's visitors to the north east Derbyshire village are Welbecks 2nd eleven who were sat nicely in second place behind Hartrhill and so it looked a tough challenge for Grassmoor who in the last few weeks had met the high flying pedigree clubs in the league and suffered defeats against the likes of Mansfield Hosiery Mills and Kiveton Park.

JAMIE HAWKINS GRASSMOOR ON A BRIGHT AFTERNOON 

Grassmoor won the toss and elected to field on a brown outfield glistening in the sun with players donning headgear and sun cream it was time for the scattering of spectators to generally head for the shelter of the trees.

With the visitors at 54/2 Joe Bradley [2] bowled Craig Dawes and Greg Herbert [27] caught off his own bowling by a diving forward Jamie Hawkins catch, the home side would have been relatively pleased.  A steady collection of Welbeck players made valuable contributions captain Lewis Jones [25], Benjamin Haynes-Greenwood [29] and Hari Tadpatrikar [48*] who was agonisingly two short of his half century at the close. it was though really down to Johnson that this massive total was achieved.  Starting in a red helmet he soon swapped to a club cap as his free flowing innings progressed to its century with 100 off 81 balls containing 12 fours and four maximums.  He was finally dismissed with the score on 232 allowing Tadpatrikar to to continue the attack.  All of the Grassmoor bowlers took a wicket but top returner was John Donaldson woith 2 for 53.

WELBECK CAPTAIN LEWIS JONES LOOKS TO SWEEP

Venturing out of the shade for the tea interval the obligatory walk to Grassmoor Country Park was undertaken with a welcome tree booked for the return and the Grassmoor reply.

MAN OF THE MATCH ETHAN JOHNSON A CENTURY FOR WELBECK

Grassmoor set off in pursuit of the 272 target but lost Andy Woolven [5] when he got a fine edge to keeper Paul Walker off the bowling of Scott Mills in the fourth over.  This brought captain Adam Bedford [57] to the crease to join opener Mark Crain [67] who top scored for the home side.  A cautious and then fluent approach saw these two put on 117 for the second wicket and although building a base they were always behind the run rate.  

JAMES WILLIS OPENING THE BOWLING FOR WELBECK

When the push did come both fell close together to Haynes-Greenwood, Crain being bowled and Bedford caught by Greg Herbert.  The run rate looked too large now but could the incoming batsman start in fourth gear and get near the total?

Sadly from a spectating point of view no and as the bat was thrown at the following deliveries each dismissal signalled a large winning margin for Welbeck, with just Carl Bowling [14] reaching double figures in the run in.  Grassmoor could only reach 172 for 8 at the end of their 80 overs.  

Pick of the wicket takers for the visitors were Haynes-Greenwood 3 for 30, closely followed by Mills 2 for 30 but overall today this had been about the destructive batting of Johnson who guided Welbeck to victory.  They are within ten points of the leaders but have opened up at forty eight point gap over third placed Kiveton Park.

SCOTT MILLS FOR WELBCK FROM THE PAVILION END

For Grassmoor this was always going to be a big challenge but they have showed themselves more than capable of competing within this league with some excellent performances but of course there are some clubs with a good pedigree in division one that make it sometimes difficult for a small village cricket club hard to compete with.

MARK CRAIN ON HIS WAS TO BEING TOP SCORER FOR GRASSMOOR

PILSLEY DENIED OUTRIGHT WIN BY FINAL PAIR

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 199/9 DENBY 4'S 139/9

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 7 NORTH AT RUPERT ST

9 JULY 20222 --- 1.30PM

CAPTAIN TRISTAN BOWERS STRIKES OUT IN PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS V DENBY

Pilsley had to settle for the wholly unacceptable winning draw concept after having fellow title contenders Denby 4's down and out, while in fairness to the visitors their last wicket survived the final ten overs while continuing to play a few shots.  This would be the fourth time this season that the home side would not to take the last wicket to be denied an outright victory with the opposition well out of the game.

A STEADY OPENING FROM PETER LACEY

It was a blistering hot day and would certainly prove to be the nicest one I had probably experienced for watching cricket at Pilsley but along the way walking I could easily have been diverted for a pint of pop at The Shinnon, Blue Bell or The Star.  But time was pressing for the start and with a few minutes to spare the discovery that Pilsley had been put in to bat may have been a little bit of a surprise on such a warm afternoon.

JAMES ALDIS ANOTHER HALF CENTRUY FOR THE 2022 SEASON

It was a steady start with openers Peter Lacey [25] and Steve Wood [6] putting on 22 before the latter was dismissed caught by James Trafford off Josef Dilks, having been dropped off the previous ball.  This brought the in form James Aldis [56] to the crease and as the score reached 53 at the ten over stage the run rate was more than acceptable.  Opener Lacey was bowled by the first ball from James Trafford in a spell that went on to prove very containing for the visitors, at 62/2 all looked fairly steady.  However with just one run added Graham Turner was sent back for a duck caught by Joanna Amps off Josh Smyth.  Ian Worthy [33] joined Aldis at the crease and although the run rate slowed dramatically the latter secured his half century but as he looked to break out he danced down the wicket only to miss the ball and be stumped by Amps off Trafford [J].  At the thirty over stage the score had only just doubled from the ten over count reaching 128 for 4 but with wickets to spare their would be time to be more aggressive now.

Worthy was dismissed with the score on 143 caught by Trafford [J] to a superb diving catch, he was having a big influence on the game, off Ian Burgoyne.  It brought Shaun Fisher [6] to the crease to join captain and man of the match Tristan Bowers [53] Fisher would go caught by Smyth from the bowling of Joe Cherry but by now Bowers was getting into free flow mode and his innings was proving to be the vital decider that moved the scoreboard along to what was in the end a very acceptable 199.  Its always hard coming in low down to add runs at this stage but Gareth Hatton came in for the final ball and promptly despatched it for four, Cameron Lee [1] and Andrew Slinger [2] contributed with some good running between the wickets and Pilsley looked to have timed their innings perfectly to set a more than challenging 200 to win for the visitors.

Denby had Traffiord [J] starring with the ball 2 for 32 from his nine overs there was 2 for 42 from Burgoyne, 2 for Smyth and a wicket apiece for Dilks and Cherry.

BOWERS SETS OFF

Half time meander was around the usual Back Lane and former pit canteen although it was now that hot I'm not sure that was a such a good idea with little shade at the ground it was though probably the best option.  Back a few minutes before the restart Pilsley seemed fairly happy with the total although it would not be an easy task on a fast and ever drying outfield.

BOWERS IN A CLASSIC POSE

The start could not have been better for Pilsley Bowers sent back Julian Todd for a duck off the second ball and it got even better when Smyth [1] was bowled by Steve Gardener in his opening over with the score now at 1/2 .  Remarkably the visitors were further in trouble when Billy Barber [2] was run out and it was 3/3 in the fourth over.  It was dream time for the home side when after a couple of overs without a wicket Gardener bowled Mee for no score to reduce Denby to 7/4.  Opener Ian Glenn [12] who had put up sterling resistance saw half the visitors side gone with the score on seventeen when he was caught behind off Bowers.  When captain Bowers took his third wicket to dismiss George Trafford [4] the home side had the visitors in a more than difficult situation at 23/6.

KEEPER FISHER BALANCES THE FOOTWORK

It looked like game over but that was not to rule out the defensive qualities of keeper Amps [23] who helped move the score onto 57 before she fell the first ball after drinks caught by Gardener off Gareth Hatton.  The resilience continued with superb efforts from Josef Dilks [31] and captain Joe Cherry [27] with the former going with score on 100 caught behind by Fisher off Hatton and the latter caught by by Worthy off  Aldis with the score moved on by just four more runs in the thirtieth over.  Surely now with nearly ten overs to bowl the final pairing would not hang on but with massive credit to visitors man of the match Trafford [J] {28*} and Ian Burgoyne they defied the odds.  It wasn't without chances a very sharp possibility close in saw Wood pull off a superb stop if it had stuck then it would have been a wonder catch, a lofted shot which was just inches away from mid off Gardener's hand and then in the fourth ball of the last over and absolute top edge skier that had Gardener awaiting it at leg slip as it came down but the opening bowler could not hold on.  He looked crestfallen but their was a nice touch from motivator Hatton who gave him solace with 'we drop together and we catch together' and in these moments we should not forget his two wickets that helped get Pilsley into their strong position.

On the bowling front the openers were outstanding with Bowers 3 for 18 from 9 and Gardener 2 for 10, there was two wickets for Hatton and one for Aldis..

As a spectator I don't like these conclusions to games clearly Denby by normal standards of cricket lost this game by not reaching the target but I do have to accept it creates for an exciting finish.  With Denby absolutely gone and who knows if they reversed the order of their batting it is to their credit that the  latter batsman deserve the plaudits for securing their side a loosing draw

AN INTERESTING SCOREBOARD AS DENBY STRUGGLE

GLAPWELL GET FOOTY UNDER WAY WITH A WIN

GLAPWELL 3 ASHLAND ROVERS 0

PRE SEASON FRIENDLY AT OLD COLLIERY LANE

2 JULY 2022 --- 2PM

OWEN RYANS MAKES IT THREE IN GLAPWELL V ASHLAND ROVERS

Glapwell got their pre season campaign off to a successful start mirroring their end to the 21/22 season, were they finished fifth in The CMFL North, against CMFL South opponents Ashland Rovers.  It was a hard working but confident victory for 'Glappy' against their visitors who were up against it after going behind as early as the fourth minute.

LANCASTER FLYPAST AT THE GLAPWELL V ASHLAND ROVERS GAME

A short forty five minute amble along to Old Colliery Lane Holmewood which was staging this fixture would see arrival in the former mining village about twenty minutes before kick off.  The area was covered just a few weeks ago for a Holmewood C C match but has an interesting history with poet John Masefield, the old aerial pit tubs, the former station and the pig and whistle pub.  Without repeating the history again for those who have read the cricket blog I will just refer any new readers to the blog of  2 May for a few pictures and some words on the subjects listed above.  

CLOSE UP ACTION GLAPWELL V ASHLAND ROVERS

Th ground is used as an out ground for some of Glapwell's non senior games and I guess with Hall Corner being rested the option to pop the three miles down the road to Holmewood is a clear one with a very well manicured pitch it does of course overlap the cricket ground where thankfully the home side were away today.

Both sides appeared in their familiar colours but as per usual recognition of players is always a problem in these games thankfully a few of the home side are known but todays report will just be very basic due to this.  However all three match officials were known I'm not sure what that says about me.

TRENT JULES GETS IN A SHARP SHOT

Glapwell had made a nice attempt to rope off 3/4's of the touchline area but with a small crowd of about 20 it didn't prove necessary but certainly gave the assistant referees some freedom.  The ground has a split in style former bus shelter type building, which is well covered in graffiti, acting as the dug out area other than that there is no furniture save for the sports facility changing rooms just off the edge of both the football and cricket pitches.

OWEN RYAN MAKES IT THREE FOR GLAPWELL

Glapwell would take a fourth minute lead after a lovely free flowing move saw 'trialist' convert with a sweet finish.  The second goal came from a right wing corner just after the quarter of an hour mark headed in by the same trialist.  There was a moment of summer fractiousness two minutes before half time when a late challenge of sorts of Richie Mathews saw the latter chase the Ashland player to confront him.  After a moment of  concern all things fell calm and referee Bruce Baskerville produced a yellow card for both players.

There was a further appearance of the Lancaster bomber at a sporting fixture having made a guest appearance at Pilsley a few weeks back.  This time it was travelling north to south having been to an event in Leeds and on the way back to perform at Stanley Common but a nice touch to see what I believe is the only surviving air worthy example once again.

SUBSTITUTE FROM JOINT ASHLAND MANAGER JOE WALKER

The second period saw Glapwell kicking towards the Five Pits Trail end and it was really normal service resumed with Ashland struggling to create too much of any threat.  

Just shy of the hour mark Glapwell made it three after again a nice move down the left and when the ball was fed in Owen Ryan gathered it before firing past the Ashland keeper.

It looked like the home side had a fourth when Ben Copestake [?] ran onto a through pass and fired the ball superbly past the keeper only for the flag of assistant referee Mark Hilton to be spotted aloft on the far touchline by half time change referee Chris Roberts.

DAVID PHILLIPS JOINT MANAGER AT ASHLAND ROVERS

Pre season games can bring out all the cliches of players on holiday, it means nothing at this stage, we were trying new players out etc.  But its always nice to get a victory and you would on this showing at the least expect Glapwell to be right up there in the top five again although as ever The CMFL is getting ridiculously difficult to get out of.  For Ashland Rovers its very early and I'm sure having their reserve side in action also today did not help them too much for selection choice.

I suppose I can count this as being the 22/23 football season underway and it was a good option even if I guess only a mini summer break from the cricket.

REFEREE CHRIS ROBERTS TOOK OVER FOR THE SECOND HALF

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS BEAT LEADERS TO GO TOP

PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS 138 FOR 1 DUFFIELD 3'S 136 FOR 9

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 7 NORTH AT RUPERT ST

25 JUNE 2022 --- 1.30PM

MATCH WINNING 85* FOR JAMES ALDIS PILSLEY AND CLAY CROSS V DUFFIELD

Pilsley and Clay Cross secured a comprehensive nine wicket victory against league leaders Duffield and in the process sprung themselves to the top of the division seven north table.  After a tight bowling display that never let the visitors get away, with opening bowler Steve Gardener taking 3 for 25, it turned to the batting performance of James Aldis [85] who along with the stable support of Steve Wood took the Rupert Street side over the line with just twenty one and a half overs used.

A GREAT DAY FOR PILSLEY CAPTAIN TRISTAN BOWERS

A return to Pilsley really had to be top of the list with this enticing top of the table clash as visitors Duffield were in town or village more to the fact.  The weather apart from a breeze was according to the BBC forecast set fair with no rain in it.  The first thirty minutes so had seen me walk on through two showers until about ten minutes short of the ground the rain that had started as I entered Pilsley go all the more heavy just short of the ground so the handily placed tree was then used to try to retain some dryness.

BEN JOHNSON A DETERMINED PERFORMANCE FROM THE OPENER

Arrival at the ground saw a different day now with the clouds having passed over and the sun was out with Pilsley fielding after winning the toss.

The opening pair for Duffield Ben Johnson [17] and Phillip Tomlinson [19] were cautious in their approach to what appeared some uneven bounce with the odd ball rising sharply.  It was though Tomlinson who went first with the score on 32 caught in the slips by Ian Worthy off opening bowler Gardener.  The top order was affected badly by Gardener hen he sent back 3 and 4 Keith Blake [4] and Niall Watson [5], respectfully,  the former bowled and the latter caught by Steve Wood.

STEVE GARDENER OFF THE FLOOR 

By the second ball of the first over from Pete Lacey Duffield had been reduced to 50 for 4 when Shaun Bosworth was dismissed for a duck playing out at a wider delivery that Worthy held onto close in again.

This brought Giles Brown [67] to the crease and he would score just short of half of the visitors total with a sensible approach but certainly an ability to hit the bad ball.  The total at the half way stage was just 61 and Pilsley could oh but dream at this stage that they may be a favourable result against the leaders.

CAMERON LEE IN THE FIELD SOON TO TAKE A WICKET WITH HIS FIRST BALL

Opener Johnson had hung around with determination but when he felt the need to break out he lofted a delivery from Aldis skyward who followed through onto the side wickets to take the catch after a loud shout that it was his kept everybody else at a distance, with the score on 86 for 5.  Eight runs later Worthy took his third catch in the gully off the first ball from Cameron Lee to send back Denis Saunders [1].

PETE LACEY TAKES THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS WICKET

Worthy would come on for a spell after his close in exploits and would take the wicket of Brown when he dislodged the bails for the eighth wicket to fall as Duffield struggled to 136 for 9 in their 40 overs.

The bowlers for Pilsley put in an impressive display with Gardener 3 for 26 topping the wicket takes alongside Worthy 2 for 12, Aldis 2 for 31 and a wicket each for Lee and Lacey.

PETE LACEY TAKES OFF

The tea interval walk took in the usual small amble nothing much different noted except for some distance weather that looked threatening something that in the Duffield innings we had avoided as some really heavy storms went down the A61 valley.  So much so that games at Ashover and Wingerworth this afternoon all ended up abandoned games.

GILES BROWN TOP SCORER FOR DUFFIELD

Back nicely in time for the restart and one again the opening bowlers were looking good in the form of Shaun Bosworth and Niall Watson who forced some playing and missing from the Pilsley openers. 

A solid base though was put in place by Pete Lacey [12] and Steve Wood [29*] who would carry his bat through the reply.

When Lacey fell caught by Tomlinson off Watson the question marks may have been bouncing around that this could be a tight game of course with Aldis coming to the crease you knew a lot would depend on his response.  Thankfully the Pilsley number 3 joined Wood in a cautious approach that would see runs coming but in a sensible manner looking for the gaps with some excellently placed shots through the cover fielders.

KYLE BUTTERWORTH WALKING IN

The harshest of the rain was now amassing somewhere in the distance near Crich and the biggest hope was that this front would take the same pathway as the previous three or so and as some small spots from the tail end of it drifted away the match and the Pilsley response had avoided what called off other games nearby after the downpour it unleashed on the grounds.

PETE LACEY OPENING FOR PILSEY

Slowly but slowly Aldis moved into fourth gear and Wood looked more confident in his shot making as the visitors tried seven bowlers to look for a breakthrough and a way back into this game.  It was not coming though as Aldis passed through his half century and was now into full mode finishing on 85 not out alongside Wood who hit the wining runs after the third ball of the twenty second over.

STEVE WOOD HITS OUT FOR PILSLEY

The bowling from Duffield saw a wide and varied effort to break the Pilsley resolve but in the end just Watson 1 for 23 in seven would return a wicket.  

THE RAIN SWEEPS DOWN THE VALLEY BUT ITS FINE AT RUPERT ST

A superb afternoon for Pilsley and Clay Cross with a comprehensive win that captain Tristan Bowers could have dreamt about before the game and with the weather playing games in the near distance a game that thankfully played to a conclusion even though that blustery wind was in evidence for much of the afternoon, so often the case at Rupert street.

ALDIS PREPARING FOR ANOTHER BIG HIT

The return to base started in a small shower but finished in bright sunshine and after watching a great effort like this today from Pilsley I must say there was a nice spring in the old bloggers step, till next time lads.

ALDIS SWEEPS

CHESTERFIELD GET HOME IN CLOSE FINISH

CHESTERFIELD 3'S 111 FOR 8 CLOWNE 4'S 110 ALL OUT

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 9 NORTH AT DEER PARK

19 JUNE 2022 --- 1.30PM

DAVID WALKER IN CHESTERFIELD V CLOWNE TOWN

This additional little Sunday meander out to the neighbouring village of Wingerworth produced a low scoring and close finish with Chesterfield in the end getting home by two wickets when captain Eddie Grant secured the four which surpassed the Clowne Town total, but the contribution from Toby Whiteley [48*], who carried his bat through the innings, would make the difference alongside his two wickets.

A bit like Clay Cross and believe me they have never been compared alike but Wingerworth have no cricket club anymore but do have a ground that thankfully has continued to be used by Chesterfield 3's, it as also the home this season of Morton Colliery CC but they have pulled out of the league.

The twenty five minute journey found visa control absent it was after all a Sunday but shall we just say there as always been a feel of something different about the village being slightly better than everybody else around them, apparently it was at one stage one of the poorest parishes in the country but don't tell todays 4 wheel drive and SUV residents.

All that said it was the residence of the Hunloke family and their hall situated on the eastern edge of the village but entrance today would be via one of the selection of lodge gate which would have I guess taken you onto their land.  The un-adopted Central Drive brings you onto much of the activity area of this massively expanded village three miles south of Chesterfield.  Here there is a fishing pond and there is a Clay Cross connection as well as it is controlled by their angling club, bowling green, modern tennis courts, a former football pitch again no longer in use by a senior village side and the cricket ground.  The immediate area also offers a small selection of retial a Spa shop, although it may be more mini Waitrose territory, hairdressers, a new and exciting vegan eatery plus the chemist and medical centre.  Oh and did I mention a further small pond adjacent to these?

ENTRY VIA THE LODGE GATES 1794

So a very basic background to the immediate area of Wingerworth we find ourselves in today as there area other shops and a library plus a village hall within the community too, so much as I rib the village it may just be jealousy at what they actually have here.

The cricket ground is in the area of Deer Park and from Allendale Road the overview used to have a lovely backdrop of the hills around the former Bolehill Quarry this though has become tree blocked now and wasn't as impressive as I remember.  Last time I watched a game here I probably played in it for Ankerbold as a junior.

The wicket in use is situated well towards the far side of Allendale leaving a massive boundary to one side but towards the tennis courts a very short boundary which is aided by the slope down to the edge as soon as the wicket area finishes there is also a slope towards Central Drive so although this is a nice setting the outfield leaves a little to be desired, certainly when fielding.  The ground also has extensive netting some of which have to be laboriously put up on a match day to protect the nearby housing expansion and other sporting facilities, there are also a couple of signs for park amblers to be aware of cricket balls potentially leaving the immediate ground.

A UNIQUE WINGERWORTH FEATURE

This fixture was an additional after concerns about yesterdays game at Grassmoor with the weather but even though we got through that one I thought well 'why not' so here we were fully appreciating there would be a fair collection of young players with a selection of experienced ones but it has to be said this was a very enjoyable game in which Chesterfield's young bowlers were very impressive.

So a brief overview of the proceedings saw Clowne win the toss and bat with opener and keeper Brayden Scott [18] top scoring with a determined effort others to reach double figures were Troy Greveson [17], Gregory Cox [12] and valuable contributions in the latter stages captain Jordan Coates [12] and Adam Fox [15] but when the latter was out caught by Kai Evans off the bowling of Ben Jenkins three overs were left unused and the score had only just got over the three figure mark.

In the bowling stakes it was all economical and all contributed with Ben Jenkins impressing although frustratingly he had just one wicket to show for his eight overs which went for just seven runs.  James Taylor returned 3 for 15, Whiteley 2 for 12 from half a dozen overs, Kelon Charles took two wickets but could easily have had a 'five for' and there was a wicket apiece for Christian Sullivan and Alfie Woodhouse.

KELON CHARLES OPENING THE BOWLING FOR CHESTERFIELD

Chesterfield set off well with runs flowing fairly easily in this low scoring encounter with top order double figures from Charles [12], Evans [13] and Ethan Radford [11] but when William Hallam fell for a duck the score was 46/4 and Clowne knew their chance was to bowl Chesterfield out.  A stand of forty five for the fifth wicket which included David Walker [11] get the home side nearer to the target but a late wobble saw the eight wicket fall at 105 and they were still a little way short.  Captain Eddie Grant rescued that thought though with that four with just over thirteen overs to spare but only two wickets remaining.  The boundary saw Whiteley carry his bat through the innings but agonisingly fall two short of his half century.

The bowling for Clowne saw Paul Jaffray return 3 for 11 with two apiece for Gary Parkin and Fox alongside one for Jordan Coates.

An enjoyable local afternoon out with more than enough interest throughout in an intriguing low scoring game. 

CLOWNE TOWN JUST A FEW RUNS SHORT OF A POSSIBLE WIN

KIVETON PROVIDE TOUGH TEST FOR GRASSMOOR

GRASSMOOR WORKS 167 FOR 6 KIVETON PARK COLLIERY 168 FOR 7

BASSETLAW AND DISTRICT DIVISION ONE AT BARNES PARK

18 JUNE 2022 --- 1PM

SCOREBOARD MOVING AROUND FOR GRASSMOOR V KIVETON PARK

Probably the toughest home test of the season for Grassmoor saw them about thirty runs shy of a winning target even with captain Adam Bedford [59] and John Donaldson [30] providing vital impetus they were though surpassed today by Ian Briggs [63] and 3 for 33 in a match winning performance for Kiveton Park Colliery.

LUKE JAMES WITH AN ADMIRING GLANCE FROM WORKS PLAYERS

There hasn't not been a Saturday lost to the weather in a season since I have started blogging cricket and although its only mid June its been going well to break that record, until that was this weekends forecast.  Prediction all week of downpours and thunder made today look a non starter but thankfully early afternoon looked less likely to see any wet stuff come Saturday.  Grassmoor had nicely suggested on their Facebook page that you should still come along after all you could watch the world go by from the comfort of the pavilion, sometimes there is nothing better in cricket than the clubhouse and social side.

ECONOMICAL BOWLING FROM JACK ROPER FOR KIVETON

A steady and cautious start from Luke James [20] and Mark Crain [13] but it was hard going with some superbly economical bowling from the visitors opening bowlers Brandon Dawson 1 for 16 and Jack Roper although wicket less also went for just 19 in his likewise 8 overs.  The arrival of Bedford and Donaldson pushed the score along with their attacking style and a quick fire score from Any Woolven [11] including one massive maximum out of Barnes Park set up a defendable total.  It could have been much lower by the half way stage Grassmoor were only fractionally above two an over.  

The visitors bowling had seen Briggs concede 33 runs but the three wickets were in the bag with one apiece for Mark Firth, Alex Gilbert and Dawson.

FELLOW KIVETON OPENING BOWLER BRANDON DAWSON ALSO ECONOMICAL

Like a creature of habit a quick amble to the country park and back took out the tea interval as the first of the rain started intermittently coming down and it would blight much of the Kiveton reply including the last few overs were it remained quite dark and got much sharper with the horizontal stuff.

LUKE JAMES OPENS FOR GRASSMOOR

Taking cover under the trees on the road side of the park didn't help with the photograph as the light started to dim but a cautious start from Kiveton soon took on a more confident look.  Openers keeper Alfie Mills [15] and captain Alex Gilbert [7] went cheaply they lost Harry White [4] but Jack Fleetwood [26] and John Leaver [25*] all added vital runs with Briggs as the home total came ever nearer.  Two late wickets with the score one run short and level took the home sides wicket take to seven and made the score line look a little closer, although there was also just short of seven overs to spare.

Jon Kenward Nash, Ian Bradley and Donaldson all returned two wickets with Jamie Hawkins the other finally dismissing man of the match Briggs to a sharp catch by Bradley in the slips.

HOME CAPTAIN ADAM BEDFORD TOP SCORES WITH 59

Disappointing to see my first Grassmoor home loss of the season but clearly no disgrace against what has been the strongest sign with pedigree to grace Barnes Park so far.  A close to the afternoon that was spoiled from a watching point of view by the closing in weather but it was as ever great to get a game in when on Friday it looked like a day in with TV horse racing.

A CLASSY SHOT FROM ANDY WOOLVEN FOR GRASSMOOR

Thankfully it wasn't too far back to base but even with the umbrella it was a pretty wet lower half that arrived back about twenty five minutes later.  Lesson is don't always plan around the forecast and even when it did turn inclement well done to both of these sides and the umpires for getting on with the game.

IAN BRIGGS 63 AND 3 FOR 33 MAN OF THE MATCH

With pre season football having already started in Wales for their European fixtures its also surprising that locally the first reachable fixtures are available in two weeks time to that end an additional cricket fixture for tomorrow, Sunday, has been pencilled in and hopefully a small blog produced in the next few days if you fancy a look.

JOHN LEAVER A DETERMINED 25 FOR KIVETON