Killamarsh must be regretting a stupid and needless indiscretion that saw the League deduct twelve points from their total because they could seriously do with those points now!

Glapwell took on runaway leaders Retford and predictably fell the same way as many others had done before them this season. Batting first Retford piled up an incredible 265 for 6 with Steve Musgrove batting magnificently to make 146 and receiving excellent support from Henderson Jordan who made 64. Dean Graney was the best of an overworked Glapwell attack and picked up 3 for 32 for his fine efforts.

At no stage did Glapwell ever look like reaching this target but Retford found it almost impossible to dislodge them as their batsmen fought hard for every point they could get. Matthew Hall (35) and Nick Bircumshaw (30 n.o.) both batted well as Glapwell reached a creditable 174 for 7 whilst Paul Singleton was once again the best of the Retford attack with 3 for 57.

Now then. North Wheatley looked to be just about dead and buried but a tremendous performance against Killamarsh has given them something to battle on for and plunged Killamarsh into terrible trouble. Batting first Wheatley were indebted to Wayne Harrison (74) and Richard Robinson (31) as they amassed a useful but modest looking 163 all out.

This proved more than enough as Killamarsh simply disintegrated and were bowled out for just 73. Rob Hackney (5 for 34) and Richard Robinson (3 for 17) bowled superbly, but Killamarsh must stop feeling sorry for themselves and get back to the excellent form they showed earlier in the season or Division 2 will beckon very quickly.

Cutthorpe who have been ravaged by holidays recently showed that it doesn’t really bother them much as they gained a winning draw over Thoresby Colliery. Batting first Cutthorpe reached 191 for 5 with Asadullah Butt making a brilliant 83 and Simon Barlow a more than useful 55. Steve Willis bowled well for Thoresby to take 3 for 44 in a whole hearted stint.

This target always looked too much and even though Martin Cheshire (59) and Nigel Burkitt (39) batted well they could only reach 142 for 8 at the close. Asadullah Butt once again showed his sublime all round skills taking 4 for 70 whilst occasional bowler Chris Marples picked up 3 for 37.

Farnsfield put together one of their better performances of the season in taking a winning draw at Kiveton Park. Batting first Farnsfield made a useful looking 229 for 6 with James Bennett contributing a superb 82 and receiving great support from Paul Delaney (33) and Kiwi Mark Silcock (34 n.o.). Australian Matt Williams bowled well for the hard worked Kiveton attack taking 3 for 62.

Although Adam Burgess (53) kept up his fine form of late, Kiveton could only reach 185 for 9 and were hanging on desperately at the close. Mark Silcock who enjoyed a fine all round match took 3 for 45 and Phil Creswell added 4 for 58 as Farnsfield just failed to grab a maximum.

A weakened Mansfield Hosiery Mills were easily defeated by Cuckney with five wickets to spare. Cuckney made an inspired start with Maz Nazar taking two wickets in only the second over and never really recovered from this. A good stand between Clive Graham (37) and Dave Loveridge (33) saved them from a complete disaster as they closed on 153 for 8 with Matt Sangar being the pick of a vibrant Cuckney attack taking 5 for 41.

In reply Cuckney never looked in real trouble and reached 156 for 5 with Aron Thomas (38), and Maz Nazar (45) setting them off with an excellent opening partnership. Although suffering the odd hic-cup along the way, the result was never in much question although Dave Loveridge (3 for 31) bowled splendidly and good support came from Asela Jayasinghe.

The match of the day in Division 2 took place at Forest Corner, where leaders Worksop drew a little further away from second placed Edwinstowe as they recorded a winning draw. Batting first Worksop made a useful looking 244 for 4 with Jamil Hassan making 68 and Glen Pym a sensational 122.

Edwinstowe then decided not to risk too much and played safe at 160 for 4 with James Hooper making an unbeaten 49 and Ian Smith 51. Although it hardly seemed the right way to play the ends justified the means and Edwinstowe at least managed to halt the slight slump which has blighted their progress recently.

Marshalls continue their good form and edged a little closer with a massive 105 run win over Biwater Clay Cross but they still have 35 points to make up and that is a lot with only four matches remaining. However they battered the Clay Cross bowling to all parts of the ground as they made 260 for 2 with Kevin Housham contributing a magnificent 101, and Australian Tim Down a fantastic unbeaten 112.

In reply only stern resistance from skipper Martin Leatherday (35) saved Clay Cross from a major disaster as Mark Davies (4 for 52) and Simon Ogden (3 for 30) ran through some insipid batting to bowl them out for just 155 and keep Marshalls slightly interested in the promotion chase.

The relegation battle at the foot of the table went in favour of Blyth as they took a comfortable winning draw over Ashover. Batting first Blyth reached a useful looking 190 for 7 with Geoff Chessman batting superbly to make 66 and Richard Wild adding a very good 51. David Bush (3 for 65) and Ian Broome (3 for 44) both did a fine job for Ashover.

In reply Ashover were quickly in trouble and although Andy Walker made a brilliant 50, they could not cope with the wiles of veteran Steve Howe (5 for 34) and Richard Wild (3 for 31) as they were forced to hold on at 144 for 9. This has now become a real dog fight which should go down to the wire with both these sides facing some difficult fixtures in the last few weeks.

Pilsley have lost the services of star Pakistani Saed Bin Nasir who has returned to Pakistan but have recruited a fellow countryman in Fazal Khan and he celebrated his debut with a blazing unbeaten 139 out of a total of 229 for 5 against N.S.K. Chris Worthy added 37 and left the Newark side with a mountain to climb when they batted.

N.S.K. never looked like threatening this total and were holding out at the close on 154 for 9 mainly thanks to a battling unbeaten 590 by Pete Lambert. Dave Schofield was the best of the Pilsley attack taking 3 for 22 but they just couldn’t break the final pair and had to settle for 17 points.

Whitwell virtually condemned Everton to Division 3 with a five wicket win over their stricken rivals at the Rookery. Batting first Everton made just 136 for 9 which looked hopelessly inadequate. John Shaw (37) top scored whilst Whitwell skipper Ian Dennis (3 for 30) was the pick of the bowlers.

In reply Alan Draycott made a cultured unbeaten 58 and Bob Mimms picked up 3 for 38 but the result was oh so predictable long before the finish.

Eckington played out a winning draw against Anston in a mid table battle at Ryton Road and always held whip hand virtually from start to finish. Batting first Eckington reached 204 for 8 with Mark Bridgeman making 55, Andy Davies (35) and Dave Smith (52) in a good display. Andrew Ruczenczyn (4 for 44) bowled well for Anston but lacked support at the other end.

Anston then slumped to 125 for 9 with only John Lyne (31) making any impact. Simon West (4 for 35) bowled splendidly for Eckington but the last pair held firm and denied the away side maximum points.