Clifton ahead by a whisker

2009 champions in contention

The half-way point in the Notts Premier League season was reached after the conclusion of round 11 of matches and the table shows some gaps emerging at both ends of the table.

At the top, Clifton and Papplewick are pulling away from the rest and Attenborough are looking forlorn at the foot of the table.

Clifton could only manage a winning draw again Radcliffe despite scoring the third highest total in the Premier League’s history in posting 410 for six declared in 40 overs.

Dan Mierkalns, who joined from Sawley at the start of the season lead the way with an unbeaten 107, with Richard Harris (89), ex-Derbyshire's Dan Birch (87) and Leon Andrews (69) all providing valuable support.

On another superb batting track at the Clifton Oval, they could not bowl out Radcliffe who scored 213 for five in 51 overs with Dan Mason getting 74 and Rob Sutton 42.

This result gave Clifton 16 points and leaves them leading the table by one point.

In second place are Papplewick who took 18 points from their win away at Wollaton.

The home side won the toss and batted first and went to tea on 230 for five; Karl Glendenning led the charge with 63 with Sunil Sharma chipping in with 51 not out and Ian Dodd 43.

Papplewick overhauled this target with seven balls to spare for the loss of five wickets. Mark Nelson grabbed the headlines with 93 with John Wakeling contributing 55 and Richard King 47 not out.

Kimberley’s form has dropped off recently and this trend continued with a loss away at Cuckney; the visitors batted first but would have been disappointed to be bowled out for just 179 with only Alex Robinson getting to grips with the Cuckney attack with 37.

Dan Watson was the leading home bowler with 3-55.

Cuckney secured a full 20 point win with three balls remaining thanks largely to 68 not out from skipper Richard Stroh.

West Indian Cavaliers are another side whose form has slipped recently and this continued when they lost heavily away at Caythorpe.

Having chosen to bat first, the Cavaliers were dismissed for 184 with Dom Williamson’s 38 being the only substantial support to Aqib Afzaal’s 89. Jim Hindson was the outstanding Caythorpe bowler with 6-38 from 14.3 overs.

In reply, James Hawley’s 72 included 15 fours and Steve Allcoat saw the home side over the line with an unbeaten 51.

Bottom side Attenborough’s season continues in the doldrums as they lost at home to Mansfield Hosiery Mills. Batting first, the home team could muster only 166 for nine; Greg Heiden (55) and Alan Moss (47) the key contributors with Stephen Ludlum taking 4-36.

Mansfield overcame their target in the 47th over to secure an 18 point win with Mark Smallwood grabbing 57 and Sudesh Fernando 43.

The last game saw Welbeck take on the Notts Academy at the John Fretwell Sports Centre; the Academy invited the home side to bat first on winning the toss and went for almost exactly five per over as Welbeck registered 249 for five.

Noel Gie led the scoring with 68 supported by Paul Pollard with 45 and Akhil Patel taking 3-60. The Academy were disappointed to be bowled out for just 173 with Welbeck skipper Jonathon Ball taking 5-45.