The overhead cloud conditions didn’t help either as Mick Bowen of Stapleford returned the 1st XI best bowling figures of the season so far. Helping to defend his side’s lowly 99 at Oxton he reduced them to 4/5 at one stage. A late recovery saw Oxton move to 88 with Bowen 8/20 including a hat- trick.

Meanwhile, West Indian Caribs lost points for the first time as Ruddington entertained in a tie. Caribs showed their usual form with the bat, hitting 265/3 with Sagheer Akhtar 137* and the thought of 20 more points to secure their place as leaders of 1E. Enter Zeeshan Manawar to hit the highest score of the day 139. Going in to the last over Ruddington were 263/5 needing 3 runs for victory, a target that was beyond them as they lost 2wkts whilst gaining two runs for a tie, their second of the season.

Clash of would-be League Champions took place as favourites Calverton entertained 2nd place Radcliffe-on-Trent. David Fraser-Darling top scored on the day as Calverton ran up a modest 204/9, however Radcliffe struggled and settled for a losing draw early on to finish 140/6.

Attenborough’s (128) recent good form ended at Balderton (129/4) who improve their own chances of survival by beating 3rd bottom Attenborough by 6wkts, a margin that Long Eaton (110/4) also inflicted on Eastwood (109). Gotham (99/8) staged a mini recovery by earning a losing draw at home to Gedling Colliery (154/9) but are still rooted to the bottom. Plumtree’s 142/3 win at home, to Loughborough (140), moves them to within a tenth of a point of Radcliffe to add spice to next week’s clash of the two.

In 1B nobody has ever dominated a league as Majid Saeed (113) is doing for Notts Amateurs. His fifth century of the season brought his side a clear 5 points ahead of the rest. He holds the top 4 best batting performances in that league and with still 9 games to go you feel a league record haul of 100’s will be his. All credit to Nottingham (116/9) who earned a losing draw with a gutsy performance at home to Amateurs (202/7). 2nd placed Newstead Abbey (153), slipped up to 3rd place Rolls Royce Leisure (205).

Ellerslie’s (100), lead of 1C was short lived as they crashed at home to Wilsons (101/5). Risley (85) slipped to their 7th defeat away at West Bridgfordians (181/6) and are looking relegation certainties especially as Keyworth (155/7), opened up the gap with a win at Kirkby Portland (154).

Underwood held their nerve in a tense finish at Toton. Bruce Chalkley (60*) steered his side out of trouble (at the same time his car was being broken into), to reach 140. Toton were on for a rare victory but losing wickets regularly saw them finish 8 runs short. Mark Townroe (111) helped Farndon (243/9) to beat Whatton (167/9).

Leaders Awsworth (202) fell short of in-form Wymeswold’s 266/4, the highest total of the day. Hickling (174/5) consolidated 2nd place beating Nuthall (118).

With leaders Caribs looking untouchable in 1E, Long Whatton (147/6) lead the followers with a win over early leaders Lowdham (146). Old Dalby (75/4) made short work of West Bridgford Legion (73) to keep the pressure on.

It couldn’t be any tighter in 1F as less than three points cover 5 teams. Snibston Grange (77), suffered defeat at Epperstone (78/2) to fall back nearer the rest whilst Cotgrave (232/5) go from strength to strength, this week on the back of Matt Cummings 120, Caunton (131) never in touch. Kinoulton (153/8), after 3 straight defeats bounced back with a win at home to Edingley (116).

Rainworth and Gladstone still lead the way in 1G with both teams recording comfortable wins. Rainworth (154/8) beating Welby who scored the day’s lowest total of 36 and Gladstone chased Shepshed Town (127) for the loss of 4wkts. Lenton Abbey (107/3), are holding a promotion spot in 1H and strengthened that with a 20 points win at home to Poplars (106).