Clifton revived by rain

2009 champions Clifton resurgent

The fickle nature of Britain’s weather came back to almost totally decimate the sixth round of games in the Nottinghamshire Premier League.

After last Saturday’s cloudless blue skies, only one game could be played on Saturday with the remaining five completely rained off.

That game was the Clifton Oval where the resurgent Clifton Village continued their recent dramatic upturn in form with a comprehensive win against fellow challengers Papplewick & Linby.

The start was delayed until 3.20 pm and was reduced to 35 over per side and opposition skipper Martin Bekker won the toss and chose to bat first.

Papplewick would have been reasonably satisfied with their 175 for five with Richard King top-scoring with 77 not out, supported by Taimoor Khan with 30.

Clifton skipper Simon Roberts returned the best figures for Clifton with 2-50.

The Clifton Oval is renowned as a high-scoring ground and the home side reinforced this view by knocking of the required runs in just over 32 overs for the loss of six wickets;

Brad Matthews (2-58) and Jim Rhodes (2-54) did their best to prevent the win but Liam Andrews and Scott McNeil closed the game with an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 59 with Andrews finishing on an 81 ball 89 not out, with nine fours and two sixes.

This win gave Clifton 18 points and Papplewick six and moved Clifton ahead of their opponents to end the day in 4th position.