Daffy puts Papplewick in pole position

Former England all-rounder Phil 'Daffy' DeFreitas made 10 first-class centuries in his 21-year professional career yet few could have had as much significance as the one he posted for Papplewick in the Notts Premier League at the weekend.

Papplewick's Phil DeFreitas in Leicestershire action

His ebullient innings of 108, from 99 balls with 14 fours and three sixes, formed the basis of an intimidating total of 297 for seven and a resounding 188-run victory over Clifton.

It also catapaulted Papplewick to the top of the table, where they now have a six-point advantage over defending champions WI Cavaliers in second place.

Providing solid back up to DeFreitas was John Wakeling (50) and Kosala Kulasekara who blasted a 41-ball 79, hitting five fours and six sixes.

David Lucas was the pick of the Clifton bowlers with 5-81 but the 298 target looked formidable from the outset and Papplewick's attack of Jim Rhodes (4-31) and Luke Fletcher (3-27) were clinical in their execution of the demolition plan with leg-spinner Wasim Rana (3-19) seizing his opportunity to mop up the tail.

In the face of such a barrage, Clifton posted a feeble reply, collapsing to 109 all out in less than 30 overs.

Elsewhere, there was a thriller of a finish between Killamarsh and Mansfield Hosiery Mills in another high-scoring match featuring another quickfire century, this time from Mansfield's Sudesh Fernando who made 111 in his side's total of 249 for seven.

But the home side had the bit between their teeth with Alan Burgess and Paul Burdett making half-centuries to maintain a fast and furious scoring rate.

With one ball left, Killamarsh needed a single to win and the victory by four wickets was duly completed to lift them off the bottom of the table.

Their place at the bottom was taken by Gedling who suffered a big nine-wicket defeat to Wollaton while former Nottinghamshire opener Darren Bicknell was showing he still has what it takes by helping Welbeck to 242 for nine against Plumtree who batted out time to finish on 198 for five.

Surrey star Usman Afzaal is WI Cavaliers' secret weapon

Leon Botha put in a classy all-round performance in Caythorpe's drawn match against WI Cavaliers. He took 5-53 then swept to 55 as Caythorpe closed on 202 for eight in reply to Cavaliers 248 all out, bolstered by 63 - including three sixes - from Usman Afzaal, taking time out of Surrey's Twenty20 campaign.