Harris deeds advance Clifton claims

Richard Harris struck an unbeaten 117 to advance Clifton Village's spirited bid for the 2009 Nottinghamshire Premier Cricket League title though with five matches remaining, just 20 points separate the top three clubs.

His innings, which featured eleven fours and two sixes, steered Clifton to a total of 202 for eight against Welbeck after they lost the toss and were put into bat.

Welbeck struggled to match the required rate and were bowled out for 116 in 45 overs, Liam Andrews taking 3-12 off 10 overs and Danny Footitt 3-39 off 12.

Welbeck’s top scorer was Rob French with 24.

Pressure at the top of the league is being matched by tension at the bottom as the battle to avoid relegation gains momentum.

Attenborough, third from bottom, were at home to bottom club Plumtree who were asked to bat and made 154 for eight off their 50 overs, Ben Storey unbeaten on 44, which included four fours.

Attenborough’s Andy Carter was in the thick of things taking 4-42 off 15 overs and four catches.

Plumtree, however, stepped up to the mark and bowled the home side out for 117 in 39 overs, Ben Thompson taking 4-30 off 11.4 overs and Dallas Coull 3-30 off nine overs to earn a precious win. Top scorer for Attenborough was Sam Clulow with 27.

Fellow strugglers Farnsfield travelled to Caythorpe where they won the toss, chose to bat and put up a respectable score of 214 for nine off their 50 overs, skipper Paul Franks unbeaten on 78 backed up by Steve Musgrove’s 68 including eight fours and three sixes.

Caythorpe’s Jim Hemmings took 4-38 off 12 overs and in their reply had an early setback, losing skipper Jim Hindson in the first over with one run on the board.

However they pulled things together to finish on 218 for four in 44 overs, Guy Welton and James Hawley each scoring 72 and sharing a second wicket stand of 158. Paul Franks took 3-34 off 12 overs.

Kimberley, fourth from bottom, were at home to Papplewick, who were asked to bat first and scored 262 for seven off their 50 overs, which included a sixth wicket stand of 81, in 10 overs, between Timoor Khan (58) and Phil DeFreitas (44).

Best bowling figures for Kimberley was Samit Patel’s 2-40 off 15 overs. The home side could not match Papplewick’s total and were bowled out for 130 in 40 overs, Nigel Porter finishing unbeaten on 36. Jim Rhodes took 4-31 off 15 overs and Brad Matthews 3-29 in 6.3 overs.

Cuckney were home to West Indian Cavaliers in what looked to be the clash of the day. Cuckney won the toss, put the Cavaliers in to bat and bowled them out for 173 in 48.2 overs, Richard Stroh weighing in with 5-57 off 14.3 overs and skipper Will Butler taking 3-31 off 15 overs.

Dominic Williamson scored 67 which included seven fours and two sixes. Cuckney measured their reply to perfection reaching 175 for four with nine balls to spare.

Will Butler (67) shared a second wicket stand of 113 with Adam Burgess (39) and Tom Ullyott finished unbeaten on 37. Best figures for the Cavaliers was Mohammed Umair’s 2-27 in nine overs.

Mansfield Hosiery Mills were visitors to Wollaton, winning the toss, batting first and posting a score of 185 for nine in 50 overs, Hassan Adnan making a steady 81.

Nick Ellsmore took 4-38 in nine overs and skipper Paul McMahon 3-55 in 15 overs for Wollaton who then replied but were bowled out for 148 in 49 overs, Steve Allcoat top scoring with 35.

Hosiery Mills captain Keshera Jayasinghe finished with 3-29 in 13 overs and Sudesh Fernando 3-25 from seven overs.